Nadleh Whut'en Indian Band [Lejac School]

In December 2002, the Commission accepted the request of the Nadleh Whut’en Indian Band to conduct an inquiry into a claim regarding the construction and operation of Lejac Residential School. This claim was originally submitted to Canada in May 1992, and was rejected in September 1995. The First Nation made a supplementary submission in February 1997, but, with no response received by June 2002, the First Nation asked the Commission to conduct an inquiry.

At a planning conference in March 2003, it was agreed that both parties would undertake additional research. This research was completed by December 2003, and the First Nation made a revised submission in March 2004. Further documentation was provided, and a revised claim submission was made by the First Nation in September 2004. In December, Canada completed its confirming research and the First Nation provided comments in May 2005.

In 2006, owing to limited resources, Canada’s review was delayed. The parties agreed to a joint project to facilitate Canada’s legal review of the First Nation’s submissions, which is in progress.