Proposed class-action alleges abuse, cultural devastation at Indigenous group homes in Canada

A proposed class-action lawsuit against the Canadian government alleges that Indigenous children who were removed from their communities and placed in group homes beginning in the 1950s faced physical, sexual, and psychological abuse that was rampant and even encouraged. The lawsuit, filed in the Federal Court in Vancouver, seeks compensation for those who suffered under the country’s historic policy of assimilation.

According to lawyer Doug Lennox, the lawsuit aims to address the harm caused by the government’s program of forcibly removing First Nations, Inuit, and Métis children from their families and placing them in group homes. This group of children have not been included in previous legal settlements involving residential schools, day schools, and boarding homes.

The group home program, which ran until the 1990s, involved taking Indigenous children from their families and placing them in dorms, hostels, and group homes that were distinct from foster homes and residential schools. The lawsuit argues that this program was part of Canada’s policy of assimilating Indigenous peoples, leading to the loss of culture, language, and traditions.

The lawsuit names four lead plaintiffs, including Carol Smythe, who was placed in a group home in 1977 at the age of 13 and experienced abuse. Other plaintiffs, like Reginald Mueller, Donna Kennedy, and Toby Forest, also share similar stories of being removed from their communities and subjected to abuse in group homes.

The lawsuit seeks unspecified damages against the Canadian government for breach of fiduciary duties and negligence. While the allegations have not been proven in court and no response has been filed, Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada stated that they are reviewing the claim to determine next steps.

The plaintiffs in the lawsuit hope to bring attention to the untold stories of Indigenous children who suffered in group homes and seek justice for the harm they endured. By acknowledging and addressing this dark chapter in Canadian history, the lawsuit aims to contribute to the goals of reconciliation and healing for Indigenous communities.