A group of 25 New Denver School survivors is calling on Premier David Eby to remove a declaration that the elements of the financial compensation package attached to the recent Sons of Freedom Doukhobor apology were 香蕉视频直播渞ecommended by the Sons of Freedom community.香蕉视频直播�
In the 1950s, approximately 200 children were taken from their parents, primarily because their parents identified as Sons of Freedom Doukhobors who opposed government policies and regulations, including refusing to send their children to public school. They were placed in government institutions such as the New Denver School, a former tuberculosis sanatorium.
In his , B.C. Ombudsperson Jay Chalke estimated there were between 70 and 100 survivors still alive.
In an apology given in Castlegar on Feb. 1 and Grand Forks on Feb. 2, B.C. Attorney General Niki Sharma promised $10 million for legacy initiatives to 香蕉视频直播渉elp provide a deeper understanding of the impact of historical injustices, what is needed to prevent similar occurrences in the future and to help those impacted by these historical wrongs.香蕉视频直播�
The funding also included allocations for counselling services and other wellness initiatives.
However, the group of survivors say they were never consulted regarding the compensation package and were unaware of the recommendations.
香蕉视频直播淧remiere Eby, it is imperative we bring to your attention a significant error communicated in the apology,香蕉视频直播� states the group in a letter sent to Eby, Attorney General Niki Sharma, Kootenay West MLA Katrine Conroy, Nelson-Creston MLA Brittny Anderson and Boundary-Similikameen MLA Roly Russel. 香蕉视频直播淚t is stated in the apology that 香蕉视频直播� 香蕉视频直播榯he Province of British Columbia will be contributing $10 million in funding to support legacy initiatives recommended by the Sons of Freedom community 香蕉视频直播ο憬妒悠抵辈 This statement is incorrect and misleading.香蕉视频直播�
The letter goes on to state that the Sons of Freedom community did not provide any recommendations to the government regarding legacy initiatives.
The group believes the recommendations came from just a few people, the majority of whom were not survivors.
香蕉视频直播淭hat small number cannot speak for an entire community,香蕉视频直播� says the group.
In the days since the apology and funding announcement, a number of survivors have been vocal about their disappointment that the survivors themselves will not see any direct personal payments.
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香蕉视频直播淲e remain very disappointed in the concealed process that led to the legacy fund and compensation package brought forward by the Province of B.C. We do not agree with the B.C. government moving forward with the agreement without our participation,香蕉视频直播� said the group.
They are also requesting survivor involvement in determining how the funding will be structured and how decision making and distribution of the funding will occur.
In a response to a request from Castlegar News seeking clarification on the consulations, a spokesperson for the Attorney General said the government has been engaging in 香蕉视频直播渆xtensive conversations香蕉视频直播� with various members of the Sons of Freedom and broader Doukhobor communities since 2019.
They said that included hearing directly from many survivors.
But the Attorney General declined to disclose who they spoke to or how many people were involved due to 香蕉视频直播減rivacy concerns.香蕉视频直播�
香蕉视频直播淒etermining the most effective form of compensation (individual or community-based) for healing is a complex issue without a straightforward solution,香蕉视频直播� said the Attorney General香蕉视频直播檚 spokesperson.
香蕉视频直播淲hile we understand that the package announced may not meet everyone香蕉视频直播檚 expectations, we remain confident that it will help those affected access a wide range of resources for their healing journey.香蕉视频直播�
Eby is scheduled to make the apology a final time in the provincial legislature on Feb. 27.
The group is asking the premier to change the reference to the Sons of Freedom community recommending legacy initiatives before he issues that apology.
香蕉视频直播淭his is an appeal for transparency, clarity and honesty,香蕉视频直播� says the group.
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