Survivors of the Île-à-la-Crosse residential school, along with eligible heirs, can now begin applying for compensation after the Court approved class-action settlements with the governments of Canada and Saskatchewan.
The settlements address harms experienced by students who attended the school and residence between approximately 1860 and 1976 and have a total value of more than $92 million.
The settlement funds will be used to compensate Survivors, establish a Legacy Fund for future healing and reconciliation initiatives, and cover administration, legal fees and honoraria.
“Their work helped ensure that Survivors and their families were heard and that meaningful compensation could be achieved,” said class counsel Margaret Waddell, referring to the efforts of the plaintiffs and steering committee who pursued the case.
The Legacy Fund will support projects focused on healing, wellness, reconciliation, education, language revitalization and commemoration for Survivors, families and communities.
The Court ruled the agreements were fair and in the best interests of Survivors and their family members following hearings held earlier this year.
Applications for compensation are now open through the settlement process, while Survivors who do not wish to participate have until August 30, 2026, to formally opt out and preserve their right to pursue individual legal action.