“Saskatchewan Government to Address Survivor Compensation”

Survivors of the Île-à-la-Crosse Residential School and the government of Saskatchewan are set to make a significant announcement on Monday morning. Premier Scott Moe, leaders from the Métis Nation-Saskatchewan (MN-S), and provincial officials are expected to be in attendance.

Legal actions concerning the school and its historical impact have been ongoing for years, with survivors previously filing lawsuits against both the federal and provincial governments seeking recognition and compensation for the abuse they suffered.

On March 3, 2025, the federal government in Ottawa announced a $27 million agreement in principle with survivors, which included a federal apology and a $10 million legacy fund to support cultural, language, and healing initiatives.

Survivors have emphasized that Canada has acknowledged only partial responsibility and have urged Saskatchewan to take similar actions. Situated approximately 460 kilometers north of Saskatoon, the Île-à-la-Crosse Boarding School was one of Canada’s earliest and longest-operating institutions of its kind, where an estimated 1,500 children, predominantly Métis from northern Saskatchewan, were compelled to attend.

Former students have recounted instances of widespread physical, sexual, and emotional abuse at the school, where children were mistreated, neglected, and forbidden from speaking their native languages, including Cree and Michif. The history of the school, as noted by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada, is described as “long and complex.”

As the Île-à-la-Crosse Boarding School existed before the official federal residential school system initiated in the 1880s, it was excluded from the 2006 Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement (IRSSA). Consequently, survivors were not entitled to the compensation provided to others nationwide, leading to disputes over whether the federal or provincial government held responsibility, resulting in a lack of recognition for the survivors.

The MN-S has previously stated that both levels of government had provided funding to the school at various points. Survivors argue that this shared responsibility has been a key factor causing prolonged delays in reaching a settlement.