Media Advisory - Lead Claimant Responds to Court's Decision in Sixties Scoop Trial: Government Found "Liable for Harm"

Chief Marcia Brown Martel will speak today about the meaning of the judge's decision for Sixties Scoop survivors and next steps for reconciliation

TORONTO, Feb. 14, 2017 /CNW/ - This morning, after eight years of litigation, Justice Belobaba issued a decision in the Ontario Sixties Scoop Claim, finding the government liable for the harm endured by survivors due to their loss of cultural identity. 

According to Justice Belobaba: "Canada had a common law duty of care to take reasonable steps to prevent on-reserve Indian children in Ontario, who had been placed in the care of non-aboriginal foster or adoptive parents, from losing their aboriginal identity.  Canada breached this common law duty of care."

Now, with this difficult chapter in her case finally put to rest, lead claimant, Marcia Brown Martel expressed great relief.

"After so many years, I feel like a great weight has been lifted from my heart. Our voices were finally heard and listened to. Our pain was acknowledged. I hope no one sees this as a loss for our Government. It is a gain for all of us—a step forward and a step closer to reconciliation. There is still work to be done, but my hope is that we can now undertake that work with open hearts and open minds. I look forward to offering our Government my thoughts on how we can move forward together."

Marcia will ceremonially share the decision this afternoon with members of the media and her community, who travelled overnight from Beaverhouse First Nation to be in Toronto today.  Marcia will be joined by lead attorney Jeffery Wilson. Both will speak to the importance of the decision and what it means for reconciliation moving forward.

When:	1:00pm EST, February 14, 2017
Where:	The Centre for Native Child and Family Well-Being, 30 College Street
Who:	Marcia Brown Martel, lead claimant, Chief of Beaverhouse First Nation
	Jeffery Wilson, Lead Attorney
Agenda:	Opening Ceremony
	Remarks by Marcia Brown Martel, Bill Stewart and Jeffery Wilson
	Media Q&A

SOURCE Ontario Sixties Scoop Steering Committee

For further information: Media Contact: Jessie Sitnick, 416-859-8250, [e-mail]