Proposed rez-school settlement fails to address justice issues

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Dear Editor:

The agreement proposed between the Assembly of First Nations and the federal government in the settlement of the long-standing issue on residential schools was released recently. For some former residential school students, the proposal may seem justified, when merely focusing on the aging, sick and those who did not experience excessive physical, mental or sexual abuse.

However, this agreement will not rectify student abuse that occurred at the schools. The agreement is more of a reimbursement of a student allowance for attendance. The recent proposal is not compensation for crimes against children.

Residential school child abuse can be perceived as a human injustice perpetrated by a superior society with the intent to decimate a culture under a colonial system. It should be dealt with on a level of equitable rectification measures rather than political accord between Liberal affiliates to rid Canada of the problem because of the intolerance of the unpopular issue.

First Nations organizations have aspired to equal justice with the dominant society, but have to strive to attain equality for their people on the same sphere as the dominant government. First Nations people will continue to be relegated to the margins of the justice system, because

measures of equality with Native interests are often over-looked when bargaining commences between government and Native political leaders.

There have been alternative dispute resolutions recommended as a quick fix to solving the question of the mistreatment of Native children. Legal deliberations can be an emotional experience for both the abused and the abusers. Therefore, mediation seems to be a popular method commonly implemented to iron out disparities on many Native issues, as substitute for the regular justice system. Mediation should not be mistaken as equitable justice.

The recent residential school proposal does not focus on the question of child abuse and the criminal activity of the perpetrators; however, it seems to concentrate more on the aged with failing health. With the absence of legalities, it may even offer comfort to the religious denominations. At least this way the issue is diverted for the sanctimonious individuals who affiliate with the churches.

The settlement under the agreement will prioritize the individuals that have not endeavored to claim for abuses; however, the survivors of residential school abuses that want to find justice through such processes as class actions are again put on the bench-warming side-lines.

The residential school survivors claim for compensation is not only a financial issue. It is a form of healing, to obtain justice for abuses incurred at an institution. Reconciliation has to be a form of reparation, not just a political gesture.

Justice tops the First Nations' agenda. If the former students accept the payment under this new package, they will accept it "silently" as "obedient" servants of the dominant government.

Roderick A. Ratt

Pelican Narrows, Sask.