The announcement of a settlement between the provincial government and the survivors of Woodlands school marks a milestone in the former residents’ long fight for justice and compensation [“B.C. government announces proposed settlement for some Woodlands survivors”, Web-only]. Still ahead for the qualifying post-1974 group of survivors is the reliving of the horrors they suffered in order to determine their level of compensation. And for the pre-1974 group—those who left the provincial institution before August 1974 and are among the oldest, the sickest, the poorest, and the most vulnerable of the survivors—nothing.

We attended most of the seemingly endless chain of meetings and legal hearings in the Woodlands class-action lawsuit in order to show support for the survivors and their cause. During those four years, a small band of former Woodlands residents attended every hearing, some in wheelchairs sitting patiently for hours.

We have enormous admiration for the dignity and quiet courage of these women and men. They know they were representing those survivors who were unable to attend, as well as those who had died, and they have an acute sense of responsibility and justice. As far as they are concerned, every resident of Woodlands school suffered and deserves recognition and compensation.

Justice should be full and healing, not grudging and mean. The government of British Columbia should include all Woodlands survivors in this settlement.

> Margaret Birrell, Jo Dunaway / Vancouver