An Every Child Matters sign in Maskwacis, Alta., Monday, June 27, 2022. A new federal class action lawsuit against the Canadian government says Indigenous people removed from their communities and placed in group homes beginning in the 1950s suffered physical, sexual and psychological abuse that 'was commonplace, condoned and, arguably, encouraged.
A proposed class-action lawsuit against the Canadian government says Indigenous children removed from their communities and placed in group homes beginning in the 1950s suffered abuse that "was commonplace, condoned and, arguably, encouraged."An Every Child Matters sign in Maskwacis, Alta., pictured in June 2022.
"There have been a variety of forms in which this policy has been implemented," he said. "Most notably with residential schools, but in other areas as well, such as day schools, such as the Sixties Scoop, such as boarding homes.
The class-action says the program was part of Canada's "policy of forcibly assimilating Indigenous peoples," leading to the systematic eradication of "the culture, society, language, customs, traditions, practices and spirituality of the plaintiffs and other class members." She alleges she was verbally and physically abused at the home, and witnessed other children being physically and sexually abused.Another B.C.-based plaintiff, Reginald Mueller, a member of the Tsqéscen First Nation, claims he was taken from his community when he was 10 in 1969 to stay in hostels that "did not support Indigenous language and culture."
The home had a dormitory run by a religious group that was contracted by the Canadian government as part of the group home program, where Forest alleges he was physically abused.
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