Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, in my Member's statement I talked about the federal Indian day school class action lawsuit. This lawsuit was based on physical, emotional, and sexual abuse, and culture genocide. You know, this class action lawsuit covered 650 First Nations throughout Canada and 33 communities in the Northwest Territories. Those compensations that were paid out were anywhere from level 5 to level 5, or $10,000 to $200,000.
Mr. Speaker, I've been getting a lot of calls, and constituents in my riding that were talking about how about the students after 1969. Because when you make application with the federal Indian day school class action lawsuit, you only could apply to April 1st, 1969. And then after 1969, the students were left out. But after April 1st, 1969, the GNWT took on the control of the education from Government of Canada, but the abuse continued for 16 years thereafter and the last residential school and day school ended in 1996.
So my question to the Premier would be given the compelling argument for extending the federal day school compensation program to include Indigenous students who attended GNWT operating schools after April 1st, 1969, can you provide a stance on this matter and your government's willingness to advocate for these students' rights to seek compensation? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Member for Tu NedheWiilideh. Madam Premier.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I don't want to say how old I am, but I know I was in school in 1969 here in the Northwest Territories. So if former students though, Mr. Speaker, feel that they've suffered the same abuses as those in federallyrun schools, then, Mr. Speaker, they need to seek legal advice to look at any recourse that they can get through the courts. I'm not saying that abuses didn't happen. I was a student there. I seen some things. I experienced some things. But I'm not aware of any specific allegations that have come across my desk as Premier so I can't state on that. I do understand that the Member feels that the schools that were run by the GNWT after 1969 operated under the same principles as the federallyrun day schools but this contention needs further examination. What I do know, Mr. Speaker, is that under legislation established through this Assembly, schools have not had their purpose as systematic assimilation of Indigenous people since the GNWT take over it. It was not about cultural genocide. It was about educating students, Mr. Speaker.
And I think the other point that needs to be made is that schools in the NWT have been operating with considerable community involvement. It's not the same way that the federal day schools or the federal residential schools were operated. So I think that having the community involvement, the different priorities of educating our students, is in itself different from the federal day schools or the residential schools. But, Mr. Speaker, again, anyone that feels that they have been abused in any school, right up to today, should seek legal advice in my opinion. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And, yeah, I agree that, you know, the schools have changed from then to now where it is today. You know, after April 1st, 1969, the Catholic Church and the Anglican Church have assumed the contract for 16 years with the GNWT and then the last school ended in 1996, so.
Also, Mr. Speaker, I just want to thank the Premier for tabling this document, you know, looking into my questions that I had put forward back in June.
In light of the fact that the GNWT received federal funding to operate schools after April 1st, 1969, the cutoff date for the federal day school class action lawsuit, what steps is your government taking to ensure that Indigenous students who attended these schools GNWT school run such as Chief Jimmy Bruneau School, St. Patrick School are not excluded from seeking compensation from the injustice they endured? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This litigation was filed against the federal government. So my understanding is that membership in the class of former students covered by the federal day school class action lawsuit is determined by the particular requirements of that litigation. I don't have that on hand. That was against the federal government. But, again, I do recommend that any student that feels that they've been abused in any way at any time should seek legal advice. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you, Premier. Could you please elaborate on your ongoing discussions or collaboration between the GNWT and the federal government to address the historical mistreatment and cultural alienation and experience by Indigenous students in the NWT operating schools after April 1st, 1969, particularly in light of the federal government's responsibility in funding these institutions? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I don't remember what sitting it was, but the Member did ask me to bring it forward, the concerns to the Premier of Nunavut and to the federal government. I did make a commitment in the House that I would do that, and I'm pleased to report that I have had discussions with the Premier in Nunavut and I have brought the concern to the federal government as per my commitment. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Madam Premier. Oral questions. Final supplementary. Member for Tu NedheWiilideh.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And thank you, Premier. Premier, what measures is your government considering to support Indigenous survivors who attended GNWToperated schools after April 1st, 1969, in their pursuit of justice and healing, and how can we ensure that their voices are heard in this critical matter of truth and reconciliation? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I've said numerous times in public events, etcetera, that I believe in my heart, I truly believe, that part of the healing process is actually being able to share your story. I experienced that when I practised social work myself, and I always found that the more people can share their stories the load just comes off somehow. It is part of the healing journey. So I do know that we have various counselling supports in the NWT, some through the health and social services, but also some that aren't recognized. Supports that people don't see as traditional. I know when I worked at the Yellowknife Women's Society, I spoke a lot to people that were Indigenous and went through residential schools. I know Native Women's is there as well, the Salvation Army. So the key, Mr. Speaker, is if you have any trauma of any sort, please seek help, whether that be through recognized counselling supports or family or friends or agencies that are there to support you. Don't tackle it on your own. Speaking is healing. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Madam Premier. Oral questions. Member for Inuvik Twin Lakes.
