WARNING: This story contains graphic details of a homicide.
A judge has sentenced a man to life in prison,with no chance of parole for the next 11 years,in the 2024 killing of Alexander Lo,the brother of Kai-Ji Adam Lo who is accused of the Lapu-Lapu day alleged car-ramming attack that killed 11 people.
Forty-one-year-old Dwight Kematch pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in July and in B.C. Supreme Court in Vancouver Friday,he acknowledged the “ripple effect” that the murder had on Lo’s brother.
Kai-Ji Adam Lo listened to the sentencing virtually, from a forensic hospital, according to Crown prosecutor Mark Myhre. The case of the alleged Lapu-Lapu Day attack has not yet been heard in court.
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The Canadian Residential Schools Settlement and Ongoing Impacts
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The Canadian goverment established and funded a system of residential schools for Indigenous children from the 1870s until the late 1990s, resulting in widespread abuse, cultural disruption, and intergenerational trauma. These schools,largely run by the Roman Catholic Church, aimed to assimilate Indigenous children into Canadian society, frequently enough thru forced suppression of languages and cultures. The legacy of this system continues to affect Indigenous communities today, manifesting in social, economic, and health disparities.
The 2007 Indian residential Schools Settlement Agreement
The Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement (IRSSA), finalized in 2007, was a comprehensive attempt to address the harms caused by the residential school system. It established a compensation process for former students who suffered abuse at the schools.
- Common Experiance Payment (CEP): Provided a base payment to all eligible former students based on the number of years they attended a residential school.
- Independent Assessment Process (IAP): Allowed former students to claim compensation for serious physical and sexual abuse, with assessments conducted by independent adjudicators.As of March 31, 2023, the IAP had awarded over $3.2 billion in compensation to approximately 32,000 claimants,according to the Reconciliation and Indigenous Affairs Foundation.
- Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC): Mandated to document the history and legacy of the residential school system, and to promote reconciliation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Canadians.
The Truth and Reconciliation commission’s Calls to Action
In 2015, the truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada (TRC) released 94 Calls to Action, urging all levels of government, institutions, and individuals to take concrete steps toward reconciliation. These calls cover a wide range of issues, including child welfare, education, language and culture, health, and justice.
Specifically,Call to Action 80 calls upon federal government to formally apologize for the harms caused by residential schools and to commit to ongoing funding for Indigenous language revitalization. As of January 17,2026,the Government of Canada has implemented some,but not all,of the TRC’s Calls to Action,with progress varying across different areas.
Ongoing Litigation and Compensation
Despite the IRSSA, litigation related to residential school harms continues. Several First Nations have launched lawsuits alleging systemic negligence and breach of treaty obligations. In 2023, the Federal Court approved a $8 billion settlement to compensate First nations for harms related to loss of language and culture, as well as for harms related to contaminated drinking water on reserves. This settlement, while significant, does not fully address all outstanding claims.
The Department of Justice Canada continues to manage ongoing claims and legal proceedings related to the residential school system.
The trauma experienced by residential school survivors has had profound and lasting effects on Indigenous communities, extending across generations. Studies have shown a strong correlation between residential school attendance and increased rates of mental health issues, substance abuse, and suicide. The disruption of family structures, loss of cultural identity, and systemic discrimination have contributed to significant social and economic disparities.
For example, a 2018 report by Statistics Canada found that indigenous children in care are over
