BR NL Residential Schools – CP

Source: The Canadian Press – Broadcast wire
May 10, 2016

ST. JOHN’S, N.L. – James Tuttauk (TOOT-ok) is among hundreds of former residential school students anxiously watching for any sign today from Newfoundland and Labrador’s Supreme Court of an apology and compensation.

An update on efforts to settle a class-action lawsuit alleging abuse and cultural losses is expected in St. John’s.

Tuttauk says the Inuit communities on the Labrador coast say it’s time for an apology.

He says the schools ruins his people’s culture and their language.

Tuttauk says former residential school students in the province were devastated to be excluded from then-prime minister Stephen Harper’s apology in 2008.

The previous Conservative government argued Ottawa was not responsible for running schools in North West River, Cartwright, Nain and Makkovik _ all in Labrador _ or in St. Anthony in northern Newfoundland.

The International Grenfell Association ran three of the schools, while the German-based Moravian Missionaries ran the other two.

There was a change in tone after the Liberals took power last fall as lawyers for both sides started working toward a settlement.

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(The Canadian Press)

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