Survivors of the sixties scoop are planning to rally in Saskatoon on March 16th to voice their concerns over the federal government’s proposed settlement.
Robert Doucette, an organizer of the Saskatoon rally, says a large number of the Sixties Scoop survivors have grievances with the settlement such as the amount of money the government has allocated, a lack of consultations, and the exclusion of the Metis survivors.
“It looks like they’re only going to provide compensation to people that were permanent wards, ” says Doucette. “So if you were a foster kid and were not a permanent ward, it looks like you won’t be able to apply for this agreement.”
Doucette is a Sixties Scoop survivor himself and hopes the rally will encourage people to understand the plights that he and others went through.
“I would ask people to have an open heart and show some empathy for people that have been physically, sexually and mentally traumatized when they were put in the foster care system,” remarks Doucette. ” It’s a really sad story and again, another blight on the history of this great country.”
According to organizers hearings into the settlement will be taking place in Saskatoon later this month that survivors are welcome to take part in.
“The other reason we’re bringing this rally on the 16th is to highlight the fact that there are two hearings, with respect to this current agreement for Sixties Scoop survivors. One is going to be held in Saskatoon on May 10th and 11th at the Court of Queen’s Bench,” says Doucette. “We hope that Metis, First Nations and if there are Inuit people living in Saskatchewan, if they’re Sixties Scoop survivors, that they’ll attend that hearing.”
Participants in the rally are being encouraged to wear purple ribbons on their left arms as a show of solidarity. More info on the rally can be found on the Sixties Scoop Indigenous Society of Saskatchewan’s Facebook Page.
Similar rallies are being organized on the same date, in cities across the country including Montreal, Toronto, Regina, and Whitehorse.
(PHOTO: Former MN-S President and organizer of this rally Robert Doucette. File photo)