QIRS Lebret, SASK Residential School Legacy Story

05/28/2026

Tbt.. quite some time ago.. I’m gonna guess that this was during a Saturday afternoon.. Do you recognize these former students?.. 🤔

05/27/2026

Sad news.. intergenerational residential school survivors ..

IMPORTANT LEGAL NOTICE: I regret to advise that the Children of Residential School Survivors Proposed Class Action is NO LONGER being pursued before the Courts.

Dear Sir/Madam,

This is an important Legal Notice regarding the Children of Residential School Survivors Proposed Class Action.

A proposed class action lawsuit was filed at the Federal Court of Canada in April 2024, seeking compensation for individuals who were children of Residential School Survivors.

However, a Federal Court of Canada ruling has ‘struck’ the same lawsuit, and thus, unfortunately the same proposed class action can no longer be pursued. The same former lawsuit was known as: Matthew Brandon (through his litigation guardian Chris Gardiner) v. HIS MAJESTY THE KING (Federal Court of Appeal, Ottawa, Ontario, Docket: A-108-25; Citation 2026 FCA 57). Additional information about the Federal Court’s rulings are available thru the following online links: Brandon v. Canada, 2026 FCA 57 , and Brandon v. Canada, 2025 FC 443 .

No money has been paid to our law firm (nor the plaintiff) in regards to this litigation, which unfortunately has come to an unsuccessful end.

No compensation program was proposed or offered by the Government of Canada for the Children of IRS Survivors.

I mention the following only to avoid any miscommunication. No lawsuit or class action is being pursued on your behalf by our law firm. Nothing in this message is intended to be legal advice or a legal opinion. We have not been retained to render such advice or opinion, and we are not in a position to do so. You have not been a client of our law firm, and we cannot offer to represent you regarding this matter.

As noted in the above court decisions, the Federal Court’s rulings are only binding on Mr. Brandon. In the result, if you wish to pursue any litigation against the Government regarding IRS, you are at liberty to do so and should retain an alternative law firm to pursue any personal legal claims without delay. I note that (as is the case for any legal claim or proposed lawsuit) ‘limitation periods’ apply to your ability to pursue a lawsuit. In the result, if you wish to pursue this matter, you should promptly commence a lawsuit or consult with another law firm without delay. (Once limitation periods have expired, if you have not commenced a lawsuit with the courts, you would no longer be able to successfully pursue a lawsuit, even if you had a good cause of action.)

This letter concludes our correspondence regarding this matter. [Please disregard and ignore any previous messages which you may have received from our law firm. You may email [email protected] should you require any further information regarding this matter.]

Yours truly,

Joshua Merchant, LL.B.
Merchant Law

05/26/2026

The globe and mail newspaper, which has a readership of 6-7 million people… (Please feel free to subscribe to the Globe and Mail!!)…felt that the ongoing battle that I’ve been having with getting permission to get these photographs from the U of Saskatchewan archives was worthwhile reporting on.. I have been working on gathering evidence for the residential school survivors since the inception of the compensation claims of 2006..

These photographs are specifically of the former students of the Lebret Indian residential school - they date back from 1907 to 1963 ..  (I have several other pictures from the 50s and yearbook from 1965. They are all posted and shared on my QIRS page here, free of charge and they are meant for the families of the former students to share… they also include pictures from the year books from 1979 to 1989.. )

The pictures I shared, were used to substantiate the claims and stories of the former students narratives for the adjudication hearings .. these pictures also gave the former students and their families closure of their own personal history.. i use similar photos when I give presentations to the non-first nations people who were never taught the real history of this country and the residential schools legacy.. 

They are also going to be used in the appeals process for some of the outstanding adjudication hearings that are still going .. to the many of you that did not go to residential school, but your parents did, these photos are going to help you corroborate your story when the Inter- generational trauma compensation claims come out.. that process may be another six months to a year before it is actually certified by the federal courts..

however these photos are needed now..

I don’t know how many of you have ever represented an Elder during an adjudication hearing and watched them being told by an non-first nation Adjudicator that they are liars.. I have.. I can’t begin to describe in words just how sad it is..  and then to have watched these elders leave this life without having their closure is something else.. it is with such a profound sadness to witness.. I had no words to express or share with them that would console them.. it’s a feeling that has not left me because of the graphic, physical, sexual and mental abuse that many of our people had gone through..

These are lived experiences, and the only way you would understand is to have been through what they’ve been through.. the sad part is the individuals that make the decisions that could help the survivors, have absolutely no clue what they are doing.. I have taken these university professors to task on their decision to withhold these photos from having me share these photos publicly on the QIRS page.. they have come back and told me that I needed permission from four Chiefs.. standing Buffalo, star blanket, Okanese and last, but not least, Peepeekisis..

I have received permission from the three chiefs except from the Peepeekisis chief, frank dieter.. why? 🤷🏽‍♂️.. (I asked my cousin Cicely who is a Councillor or head person to ask this Chief during a meeting through text.. and I share with you the answer he gave her..) .. why he refused me?.. I think it was the fact that I openly disagree with his choice to withhold a portion of my cows and ploughs payment and spend it on a meaningless business/personal venture for which I had no say in the decision making process.. part of the pettiness that continues to happen to those who do speak out against the daily corruption in our community.. Unfortunately, my application for a house will be put at the bottom of the pile, because of this post.. 🤷🏽‍♂️.. But I await the opportunity to pursue my “missing money” in the future through civil court.. ☝🏾😉)

It is sad that we do have people in our community that continue to allow this type of corrupt politics to be the norm .. unfortunately, we also have to put up with the uneducated and ignorant non-first nations who publicly deny this residential school history off the reserve.. (I screenshot a few ignorant comments for your own personal enjoyment ..).. when does this stop and how do we stop it?

Education is the only way, a “real” truth and reconciliation movement has to happen 👊🏽😎on and off-reserve.. btw - i am available for presentations..


05/21/2026

Hangin out in Nikaneet Rez..(I heard that Nikaneet means, “shacked up but could be bought”.. that’s wat Cliffy Oake’s said.. 🤷🏽‍♂️.. dunno but it’s his Rez yanno..☝🏾😉)

I ran into an ole qirs legend from waaaay back in the day.. Mr Clement Oakes!!!.. 😲.. He’s currently raising a herd of Bigfoot and just enjoying life out on the Rez.. He just wanted to tell everyone that you’re more than welcome to come on over anytime you like 👍🏼.. if you’re in the area.. (I stopped by his farm but didnt see anything.. Apparently, They are all there.. He says .. Ride on Brother, Ride on!)

Everyone.. please say a big HELLO 👋 to Mr Clement Oakes!!!! 👊🏽😎

05/19/2026

05/17/2026

The guys who built this ole skool

05/16/2026

Okay, try this again…

This was taken at a wedding reception and it was very nice ceremony to have witnessed.. 👊🏽😎.. Ya recognize anyone?

05/16/2026

FbS… The first ever QIRS volleyball team to win 🥇 the Saskatchewan Provincial Championship.. 1987-88
☝🏾😉

(Did yanno #8 - Mickey Thomson was also the first ever high school student to make it to the Provincials in badminton 🏸 as well?!.. 👊🏽😎)

Who are they?

05/16/2026

🙏

05/15/2026

FbF…. Pictured here are the members of the Ray Charles fan club.. 👊🏽😎.. and when 5 bucks could buy something!..

(Ryan “Riceman” A. in the middle.. 🙏❤️)