Emotions mixed as Ìle-à-la-Crosse school survivors documentary ‘Waiting for Justice’ recognized

Press Release

Toronto, ON –  “Powerful and eye opening”, just a few audience responses after watching the Indigenous Geographic documentary ‘Waiting for Justice’. Chronicling the lives and struggles of Île-à-la-Crosse (ILEX) Residential School Survivors, the short film has been named the 2024 Best History Film at the Toronto Documentary Festival. The production is also being screened this week as part of the Toronto Short Film Festival.

Despite being one of the oldest boarding schools in the country, the Île-à-la-Crosse Residential School has never been formally recognized as such or its Survivors compensated by the Federal or Provincial Government. ILEX Survivor, Louis Gardiner is named in a class action lawsuit filed against Canada and Saskatchewan in 2022. The Survivors Committee eagerly awaits a King’s Bench court ruling that could allow the suit to proceed.

As one of the Survivors featured in the film, Gardiner has mixed emotions about the award, “On one hand, it’s a difficult film for us to watch but it’s something we felt necessary to be a part of to keep our stories alive and apply pressure on the appropriate governments and institutions to reach a settlement before all of our Survivors are lost.”

MN–S President Glen McCallum said, “While the film has garnered this prestigious recognition, our Survivors have not. It’s difficult to celebrate the award knowing that Survivors are still looking for restitution.”

“The response from audiences to ‘Waiting for Justice’ is encouraging,” said MN–S Vice President and Justice Minister Michelle LeClair, “but there is still such a long way to go for our Survivors – who we are losing each day. Time is of the essence. We hope the documentary provokes thought and compels the Governments of Canada and Saskatchewan to join us at the table.”

MN–S is working diligently to host its own screenings of ‘Waiting for Justice’ in various regions of Saskatchewan, specifically in ILEX. Once secured, communities will be invited to attend. You can watch the award winning short now and receive more information about the ILEX Survivors at United4Survivors.ca.

–30–

About the Île-à-la-Crosse Boarding School Steering Committee

The Île-à-la-Crosse Boarding School Steering Committee Inc. is comprised of 12 board members representing twenty communities in Northwest Saskatchewan. The committee has been actively advocating for Survivors of the Ile a la Crosse Boarding School for over twenty years. Founding members of the committee include Antoinette Lafleur, Emile Janvier, Margaret Aubichon, and Duane Favel.

About Métis Nation–Saskatchewan

Métis Nation–Saskatchewan (MN–S) is the recognized government of the Métis Nation in Saskatchewan. MN–S is built on a foundation of Métis identity, culture, values, and language. MN–S works to advance Métis rights and recognition. MN–S represents the political, socioeconomic, cultural, and educational interests of Métis in the province through an elected representative system at local, regional, and provincial levels.

For Media Inquiries:

Rena Montgomerie
MN–S Senior Communications Officer
r.montgomerie@mns.work
306-250-1092

ILR4