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Residential Schools Resolution Process

*** Claim forms for the residential school settlement will be available in late September. If you received an official court notice package in the mail, a claim form will be sent to you automatically. If you would like to check that you are on the list to receive a claim form or add your name, call 1-866-879-4913. ***

The residential schools settlement has been approved by the Courts. The settlement provides:

1) At least $1.9 billion for “common experience” payments to former students who lived at one of the schools. Payments will be $10,000 for the first school year (or part of a school year) plus $3,000 for each school year (or part of a school year) after that.

2) A process to allow those who suffered sexual or serious physical abuses, or other abuses that caused serious psychological effects, to get between $5,000 and $275,000 each—or more money if they can show a loss of income.

3) Money for programmes for former students and their families for healing, truth, reconciliation, and commemoration of the residential schools and the abuses suffered: $125 million for healing; $60 million to research, document, and preserve the experiences of the survivors; and $20 million for national and community commemorative projects.

Only former students who were alive as of May 30, 2005 are eligible. Family members who were not students will not get payments. However, if a former student died after May 30, 2005, family members may be able to claim a payment on behalf of the former student.

The implementation of the residential schools settlement is a federal responsibility. However, IRC recognizes that there is a need to make sure that former students and their families are informed about the settlement, and are able to access the federal processes under the settlement to obtain the compensation for which they are eligible. To achieve this goal, IRC will:

a) have dedicated staff to answer questions and provide assistance;

b) provide information about the settlement during IRC community tours where appropriate;

c) hold workshops in each community on planning for settlement payments, including helping beneficiaries set up bank accounts; and

d) maintain up-to-date information about the settlement on the IRC website (www.irc.inuvialuit.com).

If you have any questions or need assistance related to the settlement, call 1-866-879-4913, go to www.residentialschoolsettlement.ca, or contact IRC’s Residential Schools Coordinator, Brenda Ittunga at 867-777-7016 (collect calls accepted).