Members of Canada’s indigenous population who suffered during the infamous ‘Sixties Scoop’ in Canada have demanded compensation from the federal government, as a growing number of lawsuits are filed.
The ‘Sixties Scoop’ spanned from the 1960s to till the late 1980s, where 20 000 indigenous children in Canada were taken by welfare authorities and placed with non-indigenous families outside of their province, in the United States and Europe. Often, children were taken without the knowledge of their mothers and without the consent of respective First Nation bands, and were bought and paid for.
Authorities at the time claimed that such practices were in the best interest of the children. The indigenous community however state that these efforts are rooted in the deep colonial and racist practices that still afflicts many today.
Canada's Truth and Reconciliation Commission report states that the Sixities Scoop harmed “parenting skills and the success of many Aboriginal families.” There have been several lawsuits filed against the Canadian government, and more information continues to surface.
The CBC recently published an article sharing the stories of adoptees that were bought by non-indigenous families. Marlene Orgeron says her adoptive parents bought her for $30 000. "They told me I should feel grateful they paid anything for me at all," Ms Orgeron said. "I felt so guilty." Ms Orgeron was previously in the care of her uncle, whom authorities dismissed to be an unfit guardian.
As indigenous adoptees search for the truth, many are unable to locate key documents and records. Critics say that this is yet another display of forced assimilation and erasure of identity. Furthermore, being unable to trace such documentation disenfranchises these individuals from their rights to land, treaties and status.
Till date, there has been no formal apology issued by the federal government.
The issue continues to unfold, and comes as Canada hosted The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge for an 8-day visit earlier this month. The royal couple attended a reception hosted by the British Columbia government where indigenous leaders gave a lesson on cultural genocide.
Grand Chief Ed John said, "[the British Empire] unilaterally took all Indigenous lands on behalf of the Crown, and called it Crown land. The land became known as British Columbia." He also stated, "The current Crown approach of deny and delay cannot continue," he said. "The status quo has not served Indigenous people well."