~ from the Office of the Chief
On behalf of Council, I wanted to provide you an update on the Day Scholars Settlement.
The individual claims process in the Gottfriedson Indian Residential Schools Day Scholars Class Action settlement is now open. The deadline to submit a claim is October 4, 2023. Claim forms can be completed and submitted online at: http://www.dayscholarsclaims.com.
Paper versions of the claim forms can be requested from the Claims Administrator at 1-877-877-5786 or dayscholarsclaims@deloitte.ca. The claim forms require basic information only and do not require claimants to provide information about their experiences at Indian Residential Schools. For assistance with filling out a Claim Form, contact the Claims Administrator at 1-877-877-5786.
If you need help determining if you are eligible for compensation, or have any other questions regarding the class action and settlement, please contact Class Counsel at dayscholars@waddellphillips.ca or call 1-888-222-6845.
Diena Jules, Day Scholar and Survivor Class Representative Plaintiff, Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc: “Today is an historic day. After having been left behind for so many years, the experiences of students who attended Residential Schools as Day Scholars are finally being recognized, and Day Scholars can finally apply for compensation. I encourage all of my fellow Day Scholars to apply as soon as possible.”
Each Day Scholar who attended an Indian Residential School during the day only (but did not sleep there overnight) is eligible to apply for a $10,000 Day Scholar Compensation Payment. For a full list of Indian Residential Schools that had or might have had Day Scholars and are included in the settlement see: http://www.justicefordayscholars.com/schools-lists/
In cases where the Day Scholar died on or after May 30, 2005, the deceased Day Scholar’s estate may apply for the Day Scholar Compensation Payment. Claims may be made by the estate Executor/Administrator/Trustee/Liquidator, or if none is appointed, the deceased Day Scholar’s highest priority heir.
There is also $50-million Day Scholars Revitalization Fund which will be used to support healing, wellness, education, language, culture, heritage and commemoration. That is not a direct payment to survivors but will be based on an application process.
I am proud that Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc, together with shíshálh Nation and the Grand Council of the Crees has championed the cause of Day Scholars over their ten-year battle for recognition. It was wrong that Day Scholars were excluded from the common experience payment of Indian Residential School Settlement Agreement, and we are pleased Day Scholars’ are now able to apply for compensation.
On behalf of Council, I wanted to take this time to say Kukwstép-kucw to all the former Chiefs, Leaders, Plaintiff’s and technical staff that have worked so hard to get us to this resolution.
The Indian Residential Schools Crisis Line (1-866-925-4419) is available 24 hours a day for anyone experiencing pain or distress because of their residential school experience.
Related Links:
- Media Release: Waddell Phillips, Class Counsel in the Indian Residential Schools Day Scholars class action
- Media Release: Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada