The National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations says claimants are now receiving compensation from the $23 billion dollar federal settlement for discrimination against First Nations child and family service programs.
Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak announced today the distribution of compensation for eligible claimants in the settlement has begin.
The settlement comes after Canada was found to have discriminated against First Nations children in the child welfare system.
“This is a significant milestone in a long legal battle by the Assembly of First Nations and partner organizations to secure compensation for those harmed by Canada’s discrimination in services that should have been helping the most vulnerable,” said National Chief Woodhouse Nepinak. “No amount of money can ever make up for the harms they experienced, but the compensation is an important acknowledgement of the discrimination they suffered, and we hope it provides some measure of comfort.”
According to reports, 40,000 claims in these settlement have been received so far.
Eligible claimants who have not yet applied for compensation are encouraged to do so as soon as possible, as there are time limits for making a claim.
Claims for compensation can be submitted until March 2028, or three years from when a claimant reaches the age of majority if they were not 18 on March 10, 2025.