Proposed Class-Action Alleges Widespread Abuse at Indigenous Group Homes in Canada
A new class-action lawsuit filed against the Canadian government claims that Indigenous children removed from their communities and placed in group homes beginning in the 1950s were subjected to severe physical, sexual, and psychological abuse. The suit, filed in Vancouver this month, highlights the cultural devastation experienced by First Nations, Inuit, and Métis children, who were forcibly separated from their families and communities under the country’s assimilation policies.
Lawyer Doug Lennox, representing the plaintiffs, stated that the group home program ran from the 1950s to the 1990s, but unlike other programs such as residential schools or day schools, those taken to group homes have not yet been compensated under existing settlements. “This is a group that has unfortunately been missed up to now,” Lennox said, emphasizing the need to rectify this historical oversight.
The group home program, operated by both church groups and the Canadian government, placed children in facilities that did not support Indigenous languages or cultural practices, leading to lasting emotional and psychological harm. The lawsuit claims these homes were part of Canada’s broader policy to assimilate Indigenous peoples, causing significant intergenerational trauma.
The four lead plaintiffs, including Carol Smythe of the Nisga’a First Nation, recount harrowing experiences of abuse and cultural alienation during their time in group homes. The lawsuit seeks compensation for the plaintiffs and others who suffered under this program.
While the Canadian government has acknowledged the claim, no response has been filed, and the allegations have yet to be proven in court.
This case marks another chapter in the ongoing effort to address the long-lasting harm caused by Canada’s colonial policies towards Indigenous communities. The plaintiffs and their legal team hope this lawsuit will further the goal of reconciliation and provide justice to those affected.