The Indian Residential School Settlement Agreement (IRSSA): An Overview

The Indian Residential School Settlement Agreement (IRSSA) is a huge milestone in the history of Canada`s relationship with Indigenous peoples. The IRSSA is a comprehensive agreement reached between the Government of Canada, Indigenous organizations, and former students of residential schools. The agreement aims to address the harm caused by residential schools to Indigenous peoples and to promote healing and reconciliation.

What are Residential Schools?

Residential schools were a system of boarding schools established in the 19th century by the Canadian government and various Christian denominations. The aim of the residential school system was to assimilate Indigenous children into Canadian society by separating them from their families, cultures, and languages. The government passed laws that mandated Indigenous children to attend residential schools, and many children were forcibly taken from their homes and families.

The experiences of Indigenous children in residential schools were traumatic, as they were subjected to physical, sexual, and emotional abuse. They were also forbidden from speaking their languages, practicing their cultures, and maintaining ties with their families. Generations of Indigenous peoples have been affected by the residential school system, as many survivors passed on the trauma to their children and grandchildren.

What is the Indian Residential School Settlement Agreement?

The Indian Residential School Settlement Agreement is a landmark agreement that addresses the legacy of residential schools in Canada. The agreement was signed in 2007 after years of negotiations between the government of Canada and Indigenous organizations. The agreement includes five main components:

1. The Common Experience Payment: This component provides compensation to former residential school students who suffered harm while attending residential schools. The compensation is a lump sum payment of $10,000 for the first year of school plus $3,000 for each additional year of attendance.

2. The Independent Assessment Process: This component provides a process for former residential school students to seek compensation for specific harms they suffered, such as physical and sexual abuse. The process is administered by an independent body and provides compensation ranging from $5,000 to $275,000.

3. The Truth and Reconciliation Commission: This component provides an opportunity for survivors of residential schools to share their stories and for non-Indigenous Canadians to learn about the history and legacy of residential schools. The commission`s findings and recommendations have been instrumental in advancing reconciliation efforts in Canada.

4. The Commemoration: This component provides funding for commemorative projects and initiatives that recognize the legacy and impact of residential schools on Indigenous peoples and Canadian society as a whole.

5. The Health Supports: This component provides funding for mental health and healing services for former residential school students and their families.

Conclusion

The Indian Residential School Settlement Agreement is a significant milestone in Canada`s relationship with Indigenous peoples. The settlement agreement addresses the harm caused by residential schools and provides pathways for healing and reconciliation. While the agreement cannot undo the damage inflicted on Indigenous peoples by residential schools, it is an important step towards acknowledging the past and building a better future for all Canadians. As a nation, we must continue to work together to promote healing, justice, and reconciliation for Indigenous peoples.