CANADA
Metro News
The federal government is offering $2 billion in reparation payments to ease the plight of aboriginals who fell prey to rape, beatings and emotional abuse in church-run residential schools.
Though the agreement in principle must still be approved by the courts, native leaders and government officials said the compensation package will help mitigate what one called “the terrible and tragic legacy of our shared past.”
“Today is an historic milestone on the path towards reconciliation and healing for the thousands of First Nation individuals who have suffered and who continue to suffer from the effects of residential schools abuse,” said Phil Fontaine, national chief of the Assembly of First Nations.
Posted by kshaw at November 25, 2005 05:16 PM