The Four Pillars

Who We Are

We are partners in a class action and this is our plan

The Band Reparations Class Action
  • The Band Reparations Class Action is a lawsuit against the Government of Canada.
  • Chief Shane Gottfriedson on behalf of Tk’emlups Te Secwepemc Indian Band
  • This lawsuit is not about harms suffered by individual survivors who attended Indian Residential Schools.
  • The lawsuit states the Government of Canada is responsible for collective harm suffered by Indigenous communities caused by the Indian Residential School system.
  • This lawsuit was brought by representative plaintiff First Nations Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc and Shíshálh Nation, with the support of the Grand Council of the Crees (Eeyou Istchee). 

Vision Statement

For the revival and protection of Indigenous Language, Culture, History and Wellness

Languages

Preserving our Saulteaux/Cree languages so that our future generations can benefit from the values, beliefs, rituals, songs, dances, spirituality, and social behaviours taught by them. A place where language is a part of our everyday life and is used and spoken within our families, by our children, and within our institutions.

Culture

A future where we can all benefit from the traditional cultural teachings of the Elders, and from the preservation and practice of our traditional ceremonies & customs. We will pass on our traditional knowledge, values, cultural skills and practices to our children. We will prepare ourselves and our children to live in both the traditional Saulteaux/Cree world and as Canadian citizens.

History

We envision a community approach to heritage that is focused on engagement and participation where we discover our sense of self, place and community. Collecting and preserving our tangible heritage, such as: sacred sites, artefacts; and
other culturally sensitive objects and exercising our traditions, ceremonies, histories and revitalizing our connection to the land.

Wellness

To live in a society of people who are balanced, resilient and who are spiritually, emotionally, mentally, and physically healthy. Fostering and promoting a healthy community where families, individuals, and children are happy community where whole person-centered care and services, illness prevention and health promotion, co-curricular learning opportunities, and public health leadership and expertise. are available to all in need.

Guiding Principles and Core Values

With the vision statements in mind, the following guides decision making:

  • The “Four Pillars” of Pasqua are its people.
  • Programming opportunities are for the benefit of all Pasqua members and their immediate families.
  • Pasqua First Nation members will be prioritized to lead/facilitate projects, programming, and employment.
  • Four Pillars initiatives aim to compliment & cooperate with existing programs and services available at Pasqua.

The Settlement Agreement

The key terms of the settlement agreement are:

  • The Government of Canada will make a payment of$2.8 billion(the “Fund”) to a Trust/Not-For-Profit (The Four Pillars Society) to fully and finally resolve the Band Reparations Class Action.
  • The Trust/Not-For-Profit “The Four Pillars Society” (FPS) will be responsible for prudently investing the Fund and for distributing the Fund to the 325 Band Class Members to support the Four Pillar principles in accordance with the Disbursement Policy.