Ottawa, ON) October 25, 2023 – The Legacy of Hope Foundation (LHF) celebrates the monumental victory in the pursuit of justice for First Nations children and families who have suffered due to racial discrimination and oppression through chronic underfunding of the on-reserve Child Welfare System. The Federal Court has approved a record breaking $23 billion settlement agreement, making it the largest in Canadian history.

This historic settlement comes after a 2019 ruling by the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal (CHRT) that mandated Ottawa to compensate each affected First Nations child and family member with the maximum human rights penalty for discrimination set at $40,000. While not a solution, the settlement is a significant step forward in addressing some of the systemic injustices faced by First Nations communities and signals a new chapter of hope and Reconciliation.

Executive Director and In-House Legal Counsel, Teresa Edwards said, “This settlement represents a beacon of justice and shines a light on the shadows of historic and contemporary systemic discrimination that has plagued First Nations children and families for generations. No amount of compensation can undo the pain and suffering endured; however, this agreement signifies a profound acknowledgement of the immense harm caused by racial discrimination through lack of funding. We are hopeful that this agreement signals a new, transformative era of hope, healing and long overdue justice.”

The LHF is a national, Indigenous-led, charitable organization that has been working to promote healing and Reconciliation in Canada for over 23 years. The LHF’s goal is to educate Canadians about the history and impacts on 7 generations of Indigenous children, their families, and communities from attending Residential and Day Schools and the subsequent Sixties Scoop. By fostering empathy and understanding, the LHF encourages people to address discrimination and injustice and contributes to the equity, dignity, and respectful treatment of all.

The LHF has more than 30 educational exhibitions that promote awareness of Indigenous history that are free to borrow, and the LHF is working on making exhibitions available online. The LHF also has curricula for grades K-12 along with Activity Guides for all ages, Workshops and Training, and Podcasts all aimed at educating Canadians about Indigenous history and the shared history of Residential and Day Schools, the Sixties Scoop, and more.

For media inquiries, please contact:
Teresa Edwards, B.A., LL.B / J.D.
Executive Director and In-House Legal Counsel
Legacy of Hope Foundation
tedwards@legacyofhope.ca