Survivors from the Sandy Bay Ojibway First Nation in Manitoba have until Sept. 19, 2027, to decide what happens to their personal residential school records. That deadline applies to survivors who filed claims through the Independent Assessment Process (IAP) or the Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) process.
These documents include testimony and case materials from schools such as the Sandy Bay Indian Residential School. Survivors can request a personal copy of their records, transfer them to the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation (NCTR) to be preserved for history and research, or take no action — in which case the records will be destroyed on the court-ordered deadline of Sept. 19, 2027.
The destruction order stems from a 2017 Supreme Court of Canada ruling that upheld confidentiality protections for IAP/ADR claimants. The Southern Chiefs’ Organization (SCO) is urging survivors to take action now if they want their records preserved for future generations.
Support to complete the necessary forms is available through the Sandy Bay First Nation Health Centre (call 204-843-2304). For immediate emotional support while navigating this process, the National Indian Residential School Crisis Line is available 24/7 at 1-866-925-4419.
