Innu Nation launches class-action suit over day school abuse
Children suffered abuse at Indigenous day schools for years from 1949-2009
The Innu Nation has launched a class-action lawsuit against the government of Canada and the Newfoundland and Labrador government, seeking compensation for Indigenous day school survivors in Sheshatshiu, Natuashish and the former community of Davis Inlet.
The lawsuit was filed on behalf of Innu who attended the schools, which were funded by the Canadian government, and overseen by the province from 1949, when Newfoundland joined Confederation, to 2009.
The lawsuit argues children suffered from physical, sexual, emotional and cultural abuse while at the schools.
In 2009, the Innu took control over their own education system through the Innu school board, Mamu Tshishkutamashutau Innu Education.
The class action is similar to other claims filed nationally, particularly a day schools class action settled in 2019, and a band reparations class action which was settled in 2023.
The Innu Nation were left out of those settlements because they were not covered by the Indian Act until the early 2000s.
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