Residential School Update

The Settlement package was fully approved by all courts in March. We are now going through the "opt-out" period. If you do not want to be part of the settlement package, you need to fill out an opt out form. You can download the form from http://residentialschoolsettlement.ca or call us to get a copy. You must submit it to the goverment by August 20th, 2007.

If you choose to opt out, you will not receive any money from this settlement, but you will be free to sue the government or churches if you wish.

If you want to be part of the settlement package, all you have to do is wait. Once the opt-out period is over, the forms for the Common Experience Payment and Independent Assessment Process will be available from the same website. We are expecting the forms to be available on September 19, 2007. Residential School survivors will begin to receive their money by November of this year. If you need assistance or a copy of the forms, please contact us and we will try to answer your questions or direct you the best way we can.

To find more about the settlement,  please go to the Indian Residential Schools Resolution Canada website at:

http://www.irsr-rqpi.gc.ca/

the Assembly of First Nations Website at:

http://www.afn.ca/

or the Thomson Rogers Law Firm website at:

http://www.thomsonrogers.com/classaction.htm

People Aged 65 Years or Older

If you did not fill out an advance payment application, you will have to apply for the Common Experience Payment once the form is available.

If you have any further questions you can contact the helpdesk at Indian Residential Schools Resolution Canada: 1-800-816-7293 or by email . You can also contact the Duty Counsel at our Thunder Bay office during these hours: Mon, Wed, Fri from 1-5 PM (1-800-465-5581 or 622-1413).