Former students being revictimized: First Nations group

Last Updated: Tuesday, January 22, 2008 | 5:40 PM CT

CBC News

Students of residential schools who are not receiving compensation money say they are being victimized a second time, a First Nations group says.

Leon Manitopyes spoke Tuesday about abuse he says he suffered at a residential school.
(John Weidlich/CBC)

Leon Manitopyes spoke Tuesday at a news conference organized by the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations about the pain of having a request for payment rejected.

Under Ottawa's $2-billion common experience program, some 78,000 people are eligible for compensation for the time they spent at residential schools during the 20th century. (Students who were sexually or physically abused are eligible for special compensation.) Former students are entitled to a lump sum of $10,000 plus an additional $3,000 for every year they spent at the schools, which were largely run by churches under the supervision of the federal government.

Manitopyes said he went to a residential school on Muskowekwan First Nation, north of Regina, in the 1960s. He applied for compensation last year, but his application was rejected. He was told Ottawa couldn't find his file and couldn't prove he went to the school.

"Here I am, right here. This is my brother Kenny," he said, pointing at a picture of himself and his brother that he said showed them in a class at the residential school.

"He was compensated. How come I wasn't compensated?"

Manitopyes says this photo is proof he attended a residential school in the 1960s.
(John Weidlich/CBC)

Manitopyes said his memories from the school are mostly painful.

"Getting my ear pulled and my hair pulled and yelled at — it's hard. I remember nights my brother used to come crying to me," he said.

He choked back tears as he spoke about his application being rejected.

"It's very hard, thinking you'll have hope," he said. "Everyone was saying, 'You'll have a great Christmas.' No … nothing."

Manitopyes is appealing the decision. He hopes his photograph will be accepted as proof he went to the residential school.

First Nations leaders like Muskowekwan Chief Reginald Bellerose say the rejections are hurting people.

"We were told that the payment process would be conducted with respect and dignity, but for many, it has resulted in frustration and humiliation," Bellerose said.

The Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations estimates more than 2,300 people in the province have been sent rejection letters.

Federal officials did not respond to a request for information.