WednesdayMarch 28, 2012

NOTICE TO ALL FORMER STUDENTS WHO ATTENDED AT STIRLAND LAKE (WAHBON BAY ACADEMY) AND/OR CRISTAL LAKE RESIDENTIAL HIGH SCHOOLS

Thunder Bay:Windigo First Nations Council and Nishnawbe Aski Nation are pleased to announce that Justice Watt, of the Ontario Court of Appeal, ordered on March 27th, 2012, that Canada’s request to temporarily stay (freeze) the terms of the Order of Chief Justice Winkler (in which the Chief Justice declared that Stirland Lake and Cristal Lake are Indian Residential Schools) was denied.

This means that any applications now submitted for the Common Expense Payment (CEP) and/or Independent Assessment Process (IAP) in relation to these two high schools MUST BE PROCESSED by Service Canada and the IAP Secretariat, respectively, notwithstanding the fact that Canada’s appeal from the Chief Justice’s Order has not yet been heard.

We strongly recommend and urge all former students of Stirland Lake and Cristal Lake high schools to fill and out submit their applications particularly for the CEP now. If you already submitted your CEP application, or are unsure of the status of your CEP application, you should file a new CEP application to ensure that your application is not missed by Service Canada.

Our lawyer, Susan Vella (who successfully opposed Canada’s request before Justice Watt), has indicated that another positive effect of Justice Watt’s order is that Canada must recognize Stirland Lake and Cristal Lake as approved Indian Residential Schools under the terms of the Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement. Ms. Vella also urges former students of Stirland Lake and Cristal Lake to file their CEP applications now, and to contact her if they are faced with any further rejections by Service Canada.

Justice Watt also ordered that the appeal by Canada of Chief Justice Winkler’s order be expedited, and we are awaiting the new appeal date. The appeal is currently set for April 26th, 2012.

Contact Information:

Nishnawbe Aski Nation

Deputy Grand Chief Mike Metatawabin

Phone: 1-800-465-9952

Fax: 1-807-623-7730

Email:

Website:

Windigo First Nations Council

Jethro Tait or John Kamenawatamin

Phone: 1-800-465-3621

Fax: 1-807-737-3133

Email:

Website:

Rochon Genova LLP

Susan M. Vella

Phone: 1-866-881-2292

Fax: 1-416-363-0263

Email:

Website:

Nishnawbe-Aski Legal Services Corporation

Phone: 1-800-465-5581

Fax: 1-807-622-3024

Email:

Website: