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	Residential School Deadline Set By Michelle Thompson The Chronicle [Canada] April 3, 2007 http://www.ladysmithchronicle.com/portals-code/list.cgi?paper=18&cat=43&id=865825&more= Residential school survivors must decide whether to accept court settlement money or opt out from a multi-million dollar agreement. Last Friday, a residential schools settlement went into place that will provide money for former residential school students across Canada. The federal government and churches will give at least $1.9 billion to former students and their families. Those who don't want a payment, or think they could get more money suing the government and churches independently, have until Aug. 20 to remove themselves from the settlement. "Some people feel the settlement is inadequate and they don't want to be a part of the agreement," said Joey Caro, communications manager with the Hul'qumi'num Treaty Group. "They don't feel it's a fair settlement. They don't feel it's really adequate." Nearly $2 billion will be given to students who have lived at residential schools to compensate for "common experience." Each will receive $10,000 for their first school year, and an additional $3,000 for every school year beyond that. Those who suffered sexual, physical or emotional abuse that resulted in "serious psychological effects" at the schools will be eligible for between $5,000 and $275,000. If they can prove abuse suffered at residential schools resulted in lost money, they might be eligible for additional money. Under the agreement, more money will be made available for students and families wanting to attend programs that will allow them to heal from abuse suffered at residential schools. But if enough people choose to opt out of the agreement, the settlement will become null, Caro said. "If more than 5,000 people opt out, the deal is dead in the water," he said. "Nobody gets anything." There are a number of reasons why former students might choose to accept court settlement money, Caro said. After all, he said, those who opt out are taking chances since there's no guarantee they'll get any money suing independently. They'd have to cover their own legal expenses, he said, and relive traumatic experiences in the courtroom. "It's risky and it's costly," Caro said. "It's just a terrible experience for them. (Courts) just drag everything out in public. "I would guess you'd be looking at years before you got any settlement at all," he said. Former students wanting a settlement payment can request a claim form by calling 1-866-879-4913. Dial the same number to request an opt-out form.
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