Building bridges between all communities
Issue link: http://publications.winnipegfreepress.com/i/272116
Since2007,almost80,000formerstudentshavereceivedaCommon ExperiencePayment("CEP")aspartoftheIndianResidentialSchools Settlement Agreement. CEP recipients are now eligible to receive non-cash Personal Credits of up to $3,000, for either themselves or certainfamilymembers,foreducationalprogramsandservices. WhatarePersonalCredits?PersonalCreditsmaybeusedforawide rangeofeducationalprogramsandservices,includingthoseprovided by universities, colleges, trade or training schools, Indigenous InstitutionsofHigherLearning,orwhichrelatetoliteracyortrades, as well as programs and services related to Aboriginal identities, histories,culturesorlanguages. How much are Personal Credits? Adequate funds are available for each CEP recipient to receive up to $3,000 in Personal Credits, depending on your approved educationalexpenses. Which educational entities and groups are included?Alistofapprovededucationalentities and groups has been jointly developed by Canada, the Assembly of First Nations and Inuit representatives. If an educational entity or group is not on the list, please consult the website for more information. Will I receive a cheque?No.Chequeswillbeissueddirectlytothe educationalentityorgroupprovidingtheservice. Who can use Personal Credits? CEP recipients can use the full amount themselves or give part or all of their Personal Credits to certainfamilymemberssuchasaspouse,child,grandchildorsibling, as deļ¬nedin theterms and conditions.Personal Credits of multiple CEPrecipientscanbecombinedtosupportagrouplearningactivity. How can I get Personal Credits? Each CEP recipient will be mailed an Acknowledgement Form. If you do not receive an Acknowledgement Form by the end of January 2014, please call 1-866-343-1858. Completed Acknowledgement Forms should be returned as soon as possible and must be postmarked no later than October 31, 2014. How do I redeem my Personal Credits? Onceapproved,youwill be sent a personalized Redemption Form for each individual using Personal Credits at each educational entity or group. Once the Form is received, provide it to the educational entity or group listed. The educational entity orgroupmustthencompleteandmailbackthe Redemption Form postmarked no later than December 1, 2014. What happens to unused Personal Credits? The value of unused Personal Credits will be transferred to the National Indian Brotherhood Trust Fund and InuvialuitEducationFoundationforeducationalprograms. For more information, including how Personal Credits can be redeemed by certain family members of CEP recipients that are deceased, visit www.residentialschoolsettlement.ca or call 1-866-343-1858. The IRS Crisis Line (1-866-925-4419) provides immediate and culturallyappropriatecounsellingsupporttoformerstudentswhoare experiencingdistress. Personal Credits Notice If you received a Common Experience Payment, you could get $3,000 in Personal Credits for educational programs and services. The Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement. The healing continues. CEP recipients have the option of sharing their Personal Credits with certainfamilymembers,suchas: Children Grandchildren Spouses Siblings