Indian abuse victims file case against Catholic nuns in Montana

Wednesday, September 28, 2011  

Indian victims who went to a boarding school on the Flathead Reservation in Montana filed a lawsuit against the Roman Catholic Diocese of Helena.

The 45 plaintiffs, some of whom spoke publicly at a press conference yesterday, said they were abused at the St. Ignatius Mission's Ursuline Academy. The lawsuit names several nuns and priests as the perpetrators.

"What makes this intolerable was that these were some of the most vulnerable children, Native Americans, who were trapped at these residential schools," attorney Blaine Tamaki said, The Missoulian reported

Earlier this year, about 450 Indian victims settled their lawsuit against the Oregon Province of the Society of Jesus for $166.1 million. Tamaki also represented those plaintiffs.

Get the Story:
Lawsuit filed alleging sexual abuse by nuns at St. Ignatius Mission (The Missoulian 9/28)
New lawsuit alleges Montana clergy abused children (The Great Falls Tribune 9/28)

Press conference to announce settlement in Indian abuse suit (3/25)