Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. The Indian and Residential School Supplement has been in effect for the better part of a decade. The supplement has five components, including the common experience payments, intending to recognize the harmful impact of the residential school experience. A total of $1.9 billion were allocated for common experience payments.
In the Northwest Territories, 5,000 people received these one-time lump sum payouts. The average payout is about $20,000. Although the formal common experience payment process ended two years ago, $40 million remains in the pot, so the federal government announced an extension of sorts, offering a one-time personal credit of up to $3,000 to anyone who already qualified for a common experience payment. The credit can be used for a range of educational activities: for programs at university, college or trade school, or for activities that build knowledge about Aboriginal culture. People can transfer these personal credits to family members, or pool them to develop programs that promote traditional knowledge.
The 2013 Minister’s Forum on Addictions called for more on-the-land programs to help with healing, and along with Mr. Paul Andrew, who chaired the Minister’s Forum, encouraged people to pool their credits together and use the money to benefit the entire community. For example, the pooled money can be used to pay elders, facilitators and camp assistants. It can be put forth for food, cooking supplies, camp equipment, books, art supplies or office technology. The application deadline is October 31st and the chosen school or organization has until December 1st of this year to redeem the credit.
These deadlines are fast approaching, but there is still time to collectively join elders out on the land and get that education going. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. Nadli. Member for Yellowknife Centre, Mr. Hawkins.
