Robert Doucette, co-chair of the new group. File Photo.
A new advocacy group for Sixties Scoop survivors in Saskatchewan is hoping to be a voice for its members.
The Sixties Scoop saw Aboriginal children across the country placed in foster or adoptive homes with usually non-Indigenous parents. The federal government recently announced a settlement in principle of $800 million for First Nation and Inuit children of the Sixties Scoop.
The new Saskatchewan group was just formed last week after 25 former foster children came together to elect a board of seven individuals.
Elected co-chair was former Metis Nation-Saskatchewan President, Robert Doucette.
Doucette says they hope the group will be a voice for Sixties Scoop survivors across the province.
“I feel we have a very good forum and a group that’s going to help a lot of people moving forward into the future,” he said.
Doucette says he hopes they will help guide survivors when working through the $800 million settlement in principle proposed by the federal government.
“We want to make sure we know what is going on with the settlement, and these people who are signing up with law firms should know what’s going on.”
Doucette also says the group will fight for the inclusion of Metis and non-Status in the settlement.
“How can you leave a part of your family out? It’s ridiculous,” he said. “If they are going to do it for the Inuit, they can do it for non-status and Metis too.”
Doucette recently spearheaded a human rights complaint against Ottawa for the exclusion of Metis in the settlement.
Because the group is still incorporating as a non-profit, they are unable to release an official name at this time.
Doucette hopes people from all the over province will join the group.
As of now, the best way to get involved is to contact them through the Sixties Scoop Indigenous Society of Saskatchewan Facebook group.