In the past three decades, at least 150,000 indigenous children have been separated from their homes and taken to one of 139 residential schools.
This Tuesday Canada announced a $ 31.5 billion agreement to reform its discriminatory child welfare system and compensate indigenous families who suffered from its cause.
The agreement in principle includes 20 billion Canadian dollars (15.7 billion dollars) for indigenous children separated from their families and caregivers and placed in state care, usually in schools that included them forcibly.
The other C $ 20 billion will go towards reforming child and family services over the next five years.
“No money can make up for the trauma people suffered,” said Patty Hajdu, Minister for Indigenous Services.
“But these agreements acknowledge to survivors and their families the harm and pain caused by discrimination in funding and services,” he added.
The agreement arose from lawsuits brought by indigenous families against the Canadian government, and recognizes that the “discriminatory financing” of child and family services in indigenous communities caused suffering to those involved.
Despite being less than 8% of those under the age of 14, indigenous people make up more than half of Canada’s foster children, according to a 2016 census.
In the past three decades, at least 150,000 indigenous children have been separated from their homes and taken to one of 139 residential schools.
Thousands died, mostly from malnutrition, disease or neglect, in what a truth and reconciliation committee called “cultural genocide” in a 2015 report. Others were physically or sexually abused.
After the discovery of more than 1,200 unmarked graves in these schools, Canada began to absorb the national trauma.
The minister in charge of Indian relations, Marc Miller, called Tuesday’s agreement “the largest arrangement in Canadian history.” (I)
Paul is a talented author and journalist with a passion for entertainment and general news. He currently works as a writer at the 247 News Agency, where he has established herself as a respected voice in the industry.
