’60s Scoop settlement worth $875M approved by federal judge after Saskatoon hearings

Following two days of hearings in Saskatoon, Sask., a federal judge has ruled to approve an $875 million settlement that would be paid out by the federal government to victims of what’s become known as the ’60s Scoop.

The ’60s Scoop has become known as one of the darkest chapters in Canada’s history. Between the 1950s and 1990s, thousands of Indigenous children across the country were taken from their homes by child-welfare service workers and placed with mostly non-Indigenous families.

In some instances, children were sent to live in other provinces and even other countries without their parents’ consent.

On Friday, Justice Michel Shore made the ruling after hearing from survivors who offered their thoughts on the proposed settlement.

The settlement would see $750 million directed to survivors, $50 million earmarked for an Indigenous healing foundation and $75 million for go towards legal fees.

Last fall, the federal Liberal government said the proposed settlement was for about 20,000 survivors.

READ MORE: ’60s Scoops class action lawsuit hearings start in Saskatoon

Watch below: Hearings start in Saskatoon in May 2018 to determine whether a proposed settlement in the ’60s Scoop class action lawsuit should be approved.

2:01 ‘60s Scoops class action lawsuit hearings start in Saskatoon

On Friday night, Sarah Glenn — a victim of the ’60s Scoop — told Global News she had mixed feeling after learning of the ruling. She said it feels rushed and worries not everyone who should be compensated will be.

“I found out when I was 25 that I was a status Indian and that I had been registered, but I could have just as easily been one of those that isn’t status, and wouldn’t have been covered in the settlement,” Glenn said. “But I still would be without my culture, without my family, without my home.

“They’re not getting the recognition and that just seems really wrong.”

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READ MORE: What was the ’60s Scoop’? Aboriginal children taken from homes a dark chapter in Canada’s history

Watch below: Some videos from Global News’ coverage of the ’60s Scoop.

2:39 60’s Scoop exhibit visits Okanagan

• 60’s Scoop exhibit visits Okanagan
• ’60s scoop survivors meet at Indigenous school for consultations
• Alberta government’s Sixties Scoop Apology Engagement series
• Survivors of ‘60s Scoop share painful past with Alberta government
• Engagement session for survivors of ‘60s Scoop held in Lethbridge
• ‘60s Scoop survivors prepare for provincial government apology
• Survivors of ‘60s Scoop await long overdue apology
• Reliving the ’60s Scoop at a Lethbridge information session
• FSIN wants compensation to accompany Sask. ’60s Scoop apology
• Métis leaders push to be included in ’60s Scoop compensation deal
• Alberta Sixties Scoop Survivor reacts to government settlement
• ‘It’s a good first step’: Saskatoon ’60s Scoop survivor reacts to federal settlement
• 60’s Scoop Settlement Reaction
• ‘60s Scoop Settlement: Looking at those affected in Manitoba
• $750M settlement announced for ’60s Scoop survivors
• Bennett: Payout for ’60’s Scoop’ victims is an ‘important first step’
• Canada to pay $750 million to victims of ’60’s Scoop’
• Carolyn Bennett fights back tears as she discusses ’60’s Scoop’

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Steven Cooper, a lawyer working with survivors in Alberta, told Global News that an apology involves much more than just the financial compensation.

“The money comes and goes, but the historical record is, to the greatest degree possible, corrected by the vindication, the reconciliation and the apologies.”

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Cooper said he understands the ruling will now go into a 30-day mandatory appeal process.

Shore said he will provide the reasons for his ruling but not for at least several weeks.

-With files from Global News’ Albert Delitala, Meaghan Craig and Andrew Russell and The Canadian Press