Sixties Scoop survivors receive interim payments due to COVID-19-related delays

Canada; #Indigenous; #SixtiesScoopsurvivors; #Covid19; #Compensation; #reconciliation 

Ottawa, Jun 13 (Canadian-Media):  Carolyn Bennett, Canada's Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations,  confirmed on June 13 regarding the commencement of the flow of compensation to Sixties Scoop survivors as part of the Sixties Scoop settlement agreement, media reports said.

Carolyn Bennett. Image credit: Facebook page

Included in the settlement is a $50 million investment for the establishment of an independent, charitable Foundation open to all Indigenous peoples to support healing, wellness, education, language, culture and commemoration.

Sixties Scoop survivors are status Indian, Inuit who were removed or “scooped” from their families and communities by child welfare services between the 1960s and the 1980s, and placed in long-term care with non-Indigenous families. 
 
Working together to bring a meaningful resolution to its painful legacy in Canada’s history is an important step in the journey of reconciliation with Indigenous peoples.

Image credit: Twitter handle

The Sixties Scoop settlement agreement combines individual compensation with forward-looking investments to support Sixties Scoop survivors in their journey toward healing.

In response to delays caused by COVID-19, a motion was brought before the Courts by class counsel with Canada’s support to allow interim payments to be made to eligible class members immediately.

The Federal Court granted this order on June 1st followed by Ontario Superior Court of Justice's  order on June 2nd. 
 
Despite the deadline, the claims for interim payment are being processed by the claims administrators diligently.

This settlement represents only the first step in Canada’s efforts to address the harm done by the Sixties Scoop.  Outstanding claims with other Indigenous people affected by the Sixties Scoop, including Métis and non-status Indians  are also being resolved.  

The claims process is being administered by Collectiva, an independent firm, outside of the Government.
 
Bennett said that compensation alone cannot heal the past and much work remains to be done to heal pain caused to the Sixties Scoop.

"We will continue to work with Indigenous partners so that we can foster the healing needed by survivors, families and communities,” said Bennett.