OTTAWA, Jan. 22 (Xinhua) -- The Canadian federal government has agreed to settle a class-action lawsuit brought by two British Columbia First Nations for the loss of language and culture caused by residential schools.
According to a press release issued by Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada on Saturday, Canada will provide 2.8 billion Canadian dollars (about 2.1 billion U.S. dollars) to be placed in a not-for-profit trust. "This trust, independent of the Government, will be guided by the Four Pillars developed by the Representative Plaintiffs."
The government is committed to addressing the collective harm caused by the residential schools system and the loss of language, culture, and heritage, said the release.
The Four Pillars include the revival and protection of Indigenous languages, the revival and protection of Indigenous cultures, the protection and promotion of heritage, and wellness for Indigenous communities and their members, it said.
Further information on the terms of the settlement will be publicly available over the next month as part of the broader notice plan. The parties are expected to appear before the Federal Court on Feb. 27 to seek approval of the terms of the settlement, the release said. ■