Cindy Lyall, who attended a residential school in North West River, says she and others should be allowed to participate in a national class action suit. (CBC)

Arguments were to continue Tuesday in a St. John's courtroom on whether former students at five residential schools in Labrador can participate in a federal class action suit.

Former students from Newfoundland and Labrador have been excluded from a national class action, because the schools they attended were not founded and operated directly by the federal government.

Lawyers for the students argue that the physical, mental and sexual abuse that students suffered at the Labrador schools is no different than what students in the rest of Canada suffered.

"It scarred me for life," said Cindy Lyall, who entered a residential school at North West River when she was six. A year later, she was raped by an older student.

"I grew up always feeling awkward and out of place.… I always knew something was wrong with me."

The federal government is arguing that because the schools existed before Newfoundland joined Canada in 1949, it is not responsible for what happened at the school. The government has suggested that if the former students, who are Inuit, Innu and Métis, want to challenge that, they should do so as individuals, not as group.

But lawyers for the former students have accused the federal government of wanting things both ways — treating their clients as a group, while not letting them react as a group.

Justice Robert Fowler will hear four more days of arguments at Newfoundland Supreme Court before making a decision.

Lyall told CBC News she just wants someone to take responsibility for what happened to her and thousands of others. About 3,000 people are estimated to have attended the Labrador schools over the years.