Day School Students Launch $15-Billion Lawsuit

Day School Students Launch $15-Billion Lawsuit

Wednesday, August 05, 2009 at 13:22

 

 

Natives who were forced to attend Aboriginal day schools have filed a lawsuit in Manitoba, pressing for compensation from the federal government.

 

The $15-billion lawsuit, which they hope will be approved as a class action, alleges Aboriginal children in day schools suffered just as much abuse as residential school survivors.

 

But, they say, the federal government has only apologized and offered compensation to residential school survivors.

 

The Natives say about 70,000 Aboriginals attended day schools across Canada, but the government has only apologized and offered compensation to residential school survivors.

 

Ray Mason, who helped bring the lawsuit forward, says one day school student had his mouth washed out with soap every time he spoke his language.

 

“They were abused, and the only difference is they got to go home at the end of the day,” Mason says.

 

He says the group won’t rest until its plight is acknowledged by the federal government.

 

Ottawa has yet to file a statement of defense.

 

(Courtesy of the Canadian Press.)