Day students seek class action for suffering at native residential schools

KAMLOOPS, B.C. – Students who attended native residential schools in B.C., but did not live in residence, are seeking redress for their experiences.

Lawyers representing groups of former day scholars from the Tk’emlups and Sechelt bands say an application to certify a class action lawsuit will be filed in federal court sometime this month.

Chief Shane Gottfriedson of the Tk’emlups Band near Kamloops, B.C., says if the suit is approved, he’s hoping it will be joined by thousands of day students who were sent to residential schools operating across Canada for more than 120 years.

Once approved, any class action suit would not be heard until the fall of 2014, at the earliest.

Day scholars attended the same residential schools where many aboriginal students suffered physical, emotional and sexual abuse, but the day scholars have been exempted from the federal apology and are not eligible for compensation packages.

Gottfriedson says Canada is seeking reconciliation with First Nations but he wants senior governments to offer support to everyone affected by the residential school system. (CHNL)