Residential school settlement hearings begin in Nunavut

Hearings began Tuesday at the Nunavut Court of Justice in Iqaluitto determine if a proposed settlement for former residential school students should be approved.

The $1.9-billion federal package seeks to compensate aboriginal students for abuse they suffered in the residential school system and for the loss of theirlanguage and culture.

The hearings are being held in nine provinces and territories affected by the residential school legacy.

Edmonton Lawyer Steve Cooper, whose firm represents more than 800 former students, mostly from Nunavut, said the deal has to be approved by the court before it becomes official.

"We expect it will be at least a month before we hear from any of the courts," he said. "I would be surprised if it wasn't approved in the form that it was presented."

Under the proposal, former students would receive $10,000 for their first year spent in a residential school plus another $3,000 for each additional year.

Cooper said those who suffered sexual abuse or serious physical or mental abuse would have to go through an individual assessment process to prove their claim.

The maximum settlement any individual can receive is $500,000, Cooper said.

Former students in Nunavut who oppose the proposed deal can voice their objections at the hearing or in writing.

It's estimated there are as many as 80,000 former residential school students across Canada.