A Canadian court on Tuesday approved a historic, multi-billion dollar agreement to reform the country's discriminatory child welfare system and compensate Indigenous families who suffered because of it.

It awards Can$23 billion (US$16.7 billion) in compensation to more than 300,000 children and their families, and an additional Can$20 billion for the reform of the child welfare system in indigenous communities.

"It's a historical compensation agreement and the largest in the history of Canada," Indigenous Services Minister Patty Hajdu told reporters in Ottawa.

"It will in no way erase the harms done, but it will acknowledge the pain that many of the litigants suffered," she added.

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The settlement follows several lawsuits that led to decades of litigation and negotiations, and a human rights tribunal's finding that the government had underfunded Indigenous children's services compared to those for non-Indigenous children.

Despite making up less than eight percent of children under 14, Indigenous children account for more than half of those in Canada's foster care, according to a 2016 census.

The settlement also comes on the heels of discoveries of hundreds of unmarked graves at former Indigenous residential schools set up by the government to effectively strip students of their culture and language.

From the late 19th century to the 1990s, some 150,000 indigenous children were taken from their homes and placed into one of 139 residential schools.

Thousands died, mostly from malnutrition, disease or neglect, in what a truth and reconciliation committee called "cultural genocide" in a 2015 report. Many others were physically or sexually abused.

Pope Francis during a July 2022 visit to Canada apologized for abuses at the church-run schools.

Canada is just starting to come to terms with the nationwide trauma.

The government has made reconciliation a priority, but had previously fought court orders for compensation in the child welfare case, saying it preferred to negotiate a settlement.&nbsp;

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Indigenous child advocate Cindy Blackstock said on X, the platform previously known as Twitter, she was now "thinking of all the victims" and looked forward to the swift disbursement of the settlement funds.

Indigenous groups have also called for Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to apologize for the government's treatment of Indigenous children.

Hajdu said she has passed on that request to Trudeau, adding "the Canadian government owes an apology to Indigenous people who have suffered tremendously through discriminatory programs like the child welfare system."

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A Canadian court on Tuesday approved a historic, multi-billion dollar agreement to reform the country's discriminatory child welfare system and compensate Indigenous families who suffered because of it.

A Canadian court on Tuesday approved a historic, multi-billion dollar agreement to reform the country's discriminatory child welfare system and compensate Indigenous families who suffered because of it. It awards Can$23 billion (US$16.7 billion) in compensation to more than 300,000 children and their families, and an additional Can$20 billion for the reform of the child welfare system in indigenous communities. "It's a historical compensation agreement and the largest in the history of Canada," Indigenous Services Minister Patty Hajdu told reporters in Ottawa. "It will in no way erase the harms done, but it will acknowledge the pain that many of the litigants suffered," she added. Also read | Israel vs Hamas | Mother of 6-year-old hate crime victim asks world to 'pray for peace' The settlement follows several lawsuits that led to decades of litigation and negotiations, and a human rights tribunal's finding that the government had underfunded Indigenous children's services compared to those for non-Indigenous children. Despite making up less than eight percent of children under 14, Indigenous children account for more than half of those in Canada's foster care, according to a 2016 census. The settlement also comes on the heels of discoveries of hundreds of unmarked graves at former Indigenous residential schools set up by the government to effectively strip students of their culture and language. From the late 19th century to the 1990s, some 150,000 indigenous children were taken from their homes and placed into one of 139 residential schools. Thousands died, mostly from malnutrition, disease or neglect, in what a truth and reconciliation committee called "cultural genocide" in a 2015 report. Many others were physically or sexually abused. Pope Francis during a July 2022 visit to Canada apologized for abuses at the church-run schools. Canada is just starting to come to terms with the nationwide trauma. The government has made reconciliation a priority, but had previously fought court orders for compensation in the child welfare case, saying it preferred to negotiate a settlement. Also read | Hong Kong's leader mulling over creating new national security law in 2024 Indigenous child advocate Cindy Blackstock said on X, the platform previously known as Twitter, she was now "thinking of all the victims" and looked forward to the swift disbursement of the settlement funds. Indigenous groups have also called for Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to apologize for the government's treatment of Indigenous children. Hajdu said she has passed on that request to Trudeau, adding "the Canadian government owes an apology to Indigenous people who have suffered tremendously through discriminatory programs like the child welfare system." WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Canada agrees historic Indigenous child welfare settlement

Four Indigenous children who had survived an air crash were rescued from the Colombian Amazon after they wandered there for 40 days. They were left stranded in the jungle after their plane travelling between Araracuara and San Jose del Guaviare crashed on May 1, killing three adults, including the mother of the minor kids.&nbsp;

Reports have mentioned that siblings Lesly, Soleiny, Tien Noriel and Cristin — aged 13, nine, five and one, respectively — were receiving treatment at a military hospital in Bogota. But after their stunning rescue, a custody battle has started among their relatives, with the father of two of them facing accusations of domestic violence.&nbsp;

News agencies quoted welfare officials as saying on Monday (June 12) that the kids are recovering and in "high spirits". In a video sent to the media, Adriana Velasquez of the Colombian Family Welfare Institute said that the children have been colouring, and drawing. "They love to talk," she said, further mentioning that they are even drawing a picture thought to depict a missing army search dog.&nbsp;

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The kids are expected to stay at the hospital for several days and during the same period, the authorities will interview family members to decide who should take the responsibility of taking care of them.&nbsp;

The maternal grandparents want custody as they are vying with the father for the two youngest children. They have requested to assign a caseworker to the children, said Astrid Cáceres while speaking during an interview with BLU radio.&nbsp;

Cáceres, who is the head of the Colombian Institute of Family Welfare, said, "We are going to talk, investigate, learn a little about the situation." She further added that the agency has not ruled out that they and their mother may have experienced domestic abuse.&nbsp;

She said, "The most important thing at this moment is the children's health, which is not only physical but also emotional, the way we accompany them emotionally."&nbsp;

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Watch:&nbsp;Columbia Amazon miracle: Father of two survivors speak on ordeal&nbsp;

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<h2>Eldest pulled youngest sister from plane wreckage</h2>

The children's grandfather said on Monday that the eldest of the four children pulled her youngest sibling from the wreckage. In videos posted by the defence ministry, grandfather Narciso Mucutuy said that the oldest sister, Lesly, pulled the youngest child, Cristin, from the plane. Lesly has been hailed by authorities for showing courage during difficult circumstances.&nbsp;

Mucutuy said at the Bogota military hospital where the children are being treated that "when she looked and saw that her mother was dead, she saw the feet of her youngest sister where the three dead were and she pulled her out."&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

&nbsp;

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Four Indigenous children who had survived an air crash were rescued from the Colombian Amazon after they wandered there for 40 days. They were left stranded in the jungle after their plane travelling between Araracuara and San Jose del Guaviare crashed on May 1, killing three adults, including the mother of the minor kids.

Four Indigenous children who had survived an air crash were rescued from the Colombian Amazon after they wandered there for 40 days. They were left stranded in the jungle after their plane travelling between Araracuara and San Jose del Guaviare crashed on May 1, killing three adults, including the mother of the minor kids. Reports have mentioned that siblings Lesly, Soleiny, Tien Noriel and Cristin — aged 13, nine, five and one, respectively — were receiving treatment at a military hospital in Bogota. But after their stunning rescue, a custody battle has started among their relatives, with the father of two of them facing accusations of domestic violence. News agencies quoted welfare officials as saying on Monday (June 12) that the kids are recovering and in "high spirits". In a video sent to the media, Adriana Velasquez of the Colombian Family Welfare Institute said that the children have been colouring, and drawing. "They love to talk," she said, further mentioning that they are even drawing a picture thought to depict a missing army search dog. Also read: Children rescued in Amazon after 40 days survived on cassava flour, roots The kids are expected to stay at the hospital for several days and during the same period, the authorities will interview family members to decide who should take the responsibility of taking care of them. The maternal grandparents want custody as they are vying with the father for the two youngest children. They have requested to assign a caseworker to the children, said Astrid Cáceres while speaking during an interview with BLU radio. Cáceres, who is the head of the Colombian Institute of Family Welfare, said, "We are going to talk, investigate, learn a little about the situation." She further added that the agency has not ruled out that they and their mother may have experienced domestic abuse. She said, "The most important thing at this moment is the children's health, which is not only physical but also emotional, the way we accompany them emotionally." Also read: Amazon deforestation down 31% as Lula makes good on his election promise Watch: Columbia Amazon miracle: Father of two survivors speak on ordeal × Eldest pulled youngest sister from plane wreckage The children's grandfather said on Monday that the eldest of the four children pulled her youngest sibling from the wreckage. In videos posted by the defence ministry, grandfather Narciso Mucutuy said that the oldest sister, Lesly, pulled the youngest child, Cristin, from the plane. Lesly has been hailed by authorities for showing courage during difficult circumstances. Mucutuy said at the Bogota military hospital where the children are being treated that "when she looked and saw that her mother was dead, she saw the feet of her youngest sister where the three dead were and she pulled her out." (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Colombia plane crash: Rescued kids face custody battle between relatives

Pope Francis has taken off for a visit to Canada to apologise to indigenous survivors of abuse at residential schools run mostly by the catholic church. He will address a crowd of 15,000 people there.

Pope in Canada to apologise for abuse of indigenous children

Indigenous people in Canada's Saskatchewan province announced Tuesday that 54 unmarked graves have been found at two former residential schools, adding to the growing number of unmarked burials that shocked the country last year.

Keeseekoose First Nation's Ted Quewezance, who is leading a search for graves near Fort Pelly and St. Phillip's residential schools using ground-penetrating radar, revealed the findings at a press conference.

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"Canadians still cannot believe a human being could treat another human being, especially a child, like the way we were treated," he said, holding back tears.

Last year, similar findings were made at several other boarding schools across Canada.

For years, the Catholic Church ran two schools for the federal government - St. Phillip's School from 1905 to 1913 and Fort Pelly School from 1928 to 1969.

Chief Lee Kitchemonia, suggested that "could potentially have been, you know, murdered," recommending that more investigation be conducted.

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"We passed by them (daily), never realizing there were graves there," he said, adding that the community faces a "very tough time" dealing with the finds.

Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe in a Facebook post said "Saskatchewan mourns with you" as the Keeseekoose First Nation experiences "the same shock and despair as other First Nations across the country."

Approximately 150,000 First Nations, Metis and Inuit children were forced to attend these schools from the late 1800s to the 1990s. These schools were set up to forcibly assimilate the country's Indigenous people.

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While isolated from their families for months or years, many students were physically and sexually abused by headmasters and teachers who deprived them of their culture and language.

In a 2015 report, a truth-and-reconciliation commission described more than 4,000 deaths at schools, mostly caused by malnutrition, disease, and suicide. It referred to the deaths as "cultural genocide."

More than 1,300 graves have been discovered since May 2021.

(With inputs from agencies)

Indigenous people in Canada's Saskatchewan province announced Tuesday that 54 unmarked graves have been found at two former residential schools, adding to the growing number of unmarked burials that shocked the country last year.

Indigenous people in Canada's Saskatchewan province announced Tuesday that 54 unmarked graves have been found at two former residential schools, adding to the growing number of unmarked burials that shocked the country last year. Keeseekoose First Nation's Ted Quewezance, who is leading a search for graves near Fort Pelly and St. Phillip's residential schools using ground-penetrating radar, revealed the findings at a press conference. Also read | Canada: Catholic Church apologises 'unequivocally' for indigenous people abuse in schools "Canadians still cannot believe a human being could treat another human being, especially a child, like the way we were treated," he said, holding back tears. Last year, similar findings were made at several other boarding schools across Canada. For years, the Catholic Church ran two schools for the federal government - St. Phillip's School from 1905 to 1913 and Fort Pelly School from 1928 to 1969. Chief Lee Kitchemonia, suggested that "could potentially have been, you know, murdered," recommending that more investigation be conducted. Also read | Canada officially bans LGBT conversion therapy, makes it a punishable offence "We passed by them (daily), never realizing there were graves there," he said, adding that the community faces a "very tough time" dealing with the finds. Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe in a Facebook post said "Saskatchewan mourns with you" as the Keeseekoose First Nation experiences "the same shock and despair as other First Nations across the country." Approximately 150,000 First Nations, Metis and Inuit children were forced to attend these schools from the late 1800s to the 1990s. These schools were set up to forcibly assimilate the country's Indigenous people. Watch | Gravitas: Trudeau invokes emergency powers to crush anti-vaxxers While isolated from their families for months or years, many students were physically and sexually abused by headmasters and teachers who deprived them of their culture and language. In a 2015 report, a truth-and-reconciliation commission described more than 4,000 deaths at schools, mostly caused by malnutrition, disease, and suicide. It referred to the deaths as "cultural genocide." More than 1,300 graves have been discovered since May 2021. (With inputs from agencies)

More unmarked indigenous graves found at yet another Canadian school; 1300 graves since May 2021

Canadian Federal Court on Wednesday upheld a ruling that ordered Canada government to compensate indigenous children for suffering discrimination.&nbsp;

In 2016, the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal ruled that less funds had been allocated for child and family services of indigenous people than for non-indigenous people. The tribunal observed that this pushed more indigenous children into foster care.

The follow-up order of the tribunal was appealed by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's government. The order said that government should pay each affected child USD 31,500. This is the maximum allowed compensation under Canadian Human Rights Act. With some exceptions, parents and grandparents of the children were also eligible for compensation.

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The tribunal's ruling could cost the federal government billions of dollars.

Federal Court Justice Paul Favel rejected the government's appeal and encouraged the two parties to continue negotiating.

"The parties must decide whether they will continue to sit beside the trail or move forward in this spirit of reconciliation," Favel wrote, referring to an indigenous parable about a man who sits beside a trail for so long that it grows over and he loses his way.

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Trudeau's government could appeal the court's decision. His government has argued in the past that although the human rights tribunal was correct in finding discrimination in the system, it overreached by ordering compensation.

The government is reviewing the decision and more information "will be forthcoming," Marc Miller, minister for indigenous services, said in an emailed statement.

"Canada remains committed to compensating First Nations children who were removed from their families and communities," he added.

Cindy Blackstock, executive director of the First Nations Child and Family Caring Society that brought the original complaint, said the ruling was "a complete rejection of all the government’s spurious arguments, and a complete win for kids."

(With inputs from agencies)

Canadian Federal Court on Wednesday upheld a ruling that ordered Canada government to compensate indigenous children for suffering discrimination. In 2016, the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal ruled that less funds had been allocated for child and family services of indigenous people than for non-indigenous people.

Canadian Federal Court on Wednesday upheld a ruling that ordered Canada government to compensate indigenous children for suffering discrimination. In 2016, the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal ruled that less funds had been allocated for child and family services of indigenous people than for non-indigenous people. The tribunal observed that this pushed more indigenous children into foster care. The follow-up order of the tribunal was appealed by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's government. The order said that government should pay each affected child USD 31,500. This is the maximum allowed compensation under Canadian Human Rights Act. With some exceptions, parents and grandparents of the children were also eligible for compensation. Also Read | 35 of 39 trapped at Canada mine finally make it to surface The tribunal's ruling could cost the federal government billions of dollars. Federal Court Justice Paul Favel rejected the government's appeal and encouraged the two parties to continue negotiating. "The parties must decide whether they will continue to sit beside the trail or move forward in this spirit of reconciliation," Favel wrote, referring to an indigenous parable about a man who sits beside a trail for so long that it grows over and he loses his way. Also Read | Canada: Catholic Church apologises 'unequivocally' for indigenous people abuse in schools Trudeau's government could appeal the court's decision. His government has argued in the past that although the human rights tribunal was correct in finding discrimination in the system, it overreached by ordering compensation. The government is reviewing the decision and more information "will be forthcoming," Marc Miller, minister for indigenous services, said in an emailed statement. "Canada remains committed to compensating First Nations children who were removed from their families and communities," he added. Cindy Blackstock, executive director of the First Nations Child and Family Caring Society that brought the original complaint, said the ruling was "a complete rejection of all the government’s spurious arguments, and a complete win for kids." (With inputs from agencies)

Compensation to indigenous children may cost Canada billions

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