CANADA
Canada East
GREG JOYCE
VANCOUVER (CP) - A law firm representing a tiny percentage of aboriginals who suffered physical and cultural abuse in residential schools wants a tentative agreement dealing with settlements to be revamped.
In November, shortly before the federal election was called, an agreement-in-principle was reached between the federal government and some aboriginal organizations to deal with abuse in residential schools. The federal government proposed more than $2 billion in payments and healing programs to atone for decades of abuse in the schools for native children.
If the deal is approved in court, survivors of rape, beatings and cultural isolation would likely be paid by the end of 2006. They now average age 60. Many are sick or dying.