The Legacy Christian Academy Scandal
SASKATOON, SASKATCHEWAN
BEFORE YOU LISTEN: IMPORTANT INFO
While the allegations have resulted in criminal charges, they haven’t yet been proven or tested in court.
This story is about Christian Centre Academy and Saskatoon Christian Centre Church, which have since rebranded to Legacy Christian Academy and Mile Two Church.
This series is not a blanket criticism of religious freedom, Christianity, spirituality or any other religious beliefs. It is specifically about the negative impact of fundamentalist Christian belief systems on Canadian students at their publicly-funded school—which has resulted in criminal charges.
Content warnings:
In all three parts of this series, there is heavy focus on allegations of corporal punishment, grooming and sexual assault of minors, mention of anti-LGBTQ+ and racist rhetoric, mention of self-harm and suicidal ideation. Details of religious, spiritual and supernatural beliefs as they relate to these specific allegations.
In 1982, charismatic pastor Keith Johnson moved from Texas to Saskatchewan with a mandate: start up a private evangelical Christian school using a heavily-promoted new curriculum from Texas.
The result? Almost 40 years later, a growing number of former students have alleged physical, sexual and psychological abuse by those in positions of authority at their school and the parent church that runs it.
So far, four men have been charged criminally, and a class action lawsuit has been filed.
In this three-part series, we follow the journey of spokesperson Caitlin Erickson, as she starts to make sense of her childhood and reconnects with former classmates doing the same.
You’ll hear the many stories that led to these allegations, as we explore how a set of beliefs that demand absolute conformity and obedience from children—and rely on physical punishment as the main motivator, can be ripe for unchecked abuse.
MAIN SOURCES
The full list is at the bottom of this page.
CLASS ACTION:
See Latest info and intake form
Download the amended Legal Statement of Claim [PDF]
MAIN INVESTIGATIVE ARTICLES:
Exorcisms, violent discipline and other abuse alleged by former students of private Sask. Christian school | CBC News by Jason Warick for CBC News
'They tried to tear us apart': How a Saskatoon church with radical ideology controlled students, families by Zak Vescera for Saskatoon Star-Phoenix
'Perfect victims': Culture, teachings left scars on former Sask. students by Jeremy Simes for Regina Leader-Post investigation
Abuse allegations from students at private Sask. Christian school are '100% true,' says former top official by Jason Warick for CBC News
List of students alleging abuse at Sask. Christian school growing rapidly by Jason Warick for CBC News
FROM THE NEWS ARCHIVES:
Further resources:
PODCAST: Subscribe to the Legacy of Abuse Podcast and follow on TikTok, Twitter, and Patreon
DOCUMENTARY: Shiny Happy People: Duggar Family Secrets - Amazon Prime Video
Ex-fundie Youtubers: Fundie Fridays, Genetically Modified Skeptic
Canadian True Crime donates monthly to help those facing injustice.
This month we have donated to a gofundme for the Legacy of Abuse Class Action Lawsuit. The pursuit of legal action involves significant financial costs, including legal fees, court costs, and expert witness expenses, and every cent helps. If you are able to contribute, the students will greatly appreciate it.
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Credits:
Special thanks to Caitlin Erickson.
Primary research, writing, sound design, narration: Kristi Lee
Audio editing and production: We Talk of Dreams
Production assistance: Jesse Hawke
Script consulting: Carol Weinberg
Disclaimer voiced by Erik Krosby
Music credits:
Theme songs (intro & outro) by We Talk of Dreams
Additional music: Blue Dot Sessions, Epidemic Sound
FULL LIST OF SOURCES
Amended Statement of Claim:
News archives:
Lou Brunelle holding paddle, Maclean’s Magazine, March 10 1997
‘Felt like a life sentence:’ Former student at Christian school recalls trauma at bible centre near Big River, by Mia Holowaychuk, CKOM News
https://globalnews.ca/news/9667450/administrator-reports-sask-qualified-independent-schools/
OTHER INVESTIGATIVE ARTICLES:
Aaron Benneweis allegations:
Woman 'empowered' as former Christian school coach faces charges 10 years after alleged sexual exploitation by Kendall Latimer and Jessie Anton for CBC News
Complainant in Saskatoon Christian school criminal case speaks out by Thia James for Star-Phoenix, Feb 3, 2023
Alleged victim disappointed as former Saskatoon gym teacher appears in court by phone by Keenan Sorokan for CTV News Saskatoon
John Olubobokun allegations
Ex-director of Legacy Christian Academy charged with assault, makes first court appearance by Thia James for Star-Phoenix
Another Sask. private Christian school official charged with assault by Jason Warick for CBC news
‘Not a hint of remorse:’ Third former employee of Christian school faces charges by Mia Holowaychuk for Regina 980 CJME
Saskatoon police lay more assault charges in connection to private Christian school, no byline, CTV News Saskatoon
Duff Friesen allegations
'Validating': Assault charges laid against ex-Legacy principal Duff Friesen, no byline, Star-Phoenix
Former principal of Saskatoon private Christian school faces 11 charges of assault with a weapon, no byline, CBC news
Former students of Prince Albert’s Duff Friesen describe seeing their alleged abuser in court by Jayda Taylor, PA Herald
(Keiren Friesen): List of students alleging abuse at Sask. Christian school growing rapidly by Jason Warick for CBC News
Ken Schultz and Nathan Schultz allegations
Former student feels heard after ex-director charged in Legacy Christian Academy case by Thia James for Star-Phoenix, July 26, 2023
Former Legacy Christian Academy official Ken Schultz denies abuse charges by Bryn Levy for Star-Phoenix, July 27, 2023
Caitlin’s tiktok about seeing Ken Schultz at a coffee shop
https://saskatoonfuneralhome.com/tribute/details/5082/Elaine-Schultz/obituary.html
'It's shaped my whole life': Former students of Sask. Christian school allege teacher sexually abused them by Yasmine Ghania for CBC news, Sept 20, 2022
Keith Johnson allegations
Bank loans, farmland accepted as donations by Saskatoon church linked to Legacy Christian Academy by Zak Vescera for Star-Phoenix
(Cassie Klassen, Keith Johnson’s granddaughter:) Officials unable to track down former Sask. pastor at centre of $25M abuse lawsuit by Jason Warick for CBC news
(Garrison Davis, Keith Johnson’s stepson:) List of students alleging abuse at Sask. Christian school growing rapidly by Jason Warick for CBC News
(Garret Davis, son of Garrison Davis:) Abuse allegations from students at private Sask. Christian school are '100% true,' says former top official by Jason Warick for CBC News
Man 'evading' officials in $18M Canadian abuse lawsuit believed to be in Tulsa by Brenna Rose, KTUL
Other media:
Responses from Mile Two Church and Legacy Christian Academy:
Legacy Christian Academy | Facebook (The facebook page for Mile Two Church appears to have been deactivated)
Evidence that Lou Brunelle was principal of Legacy Christian Academy as of August 11, 2022, according to the Internet Wayback Machine. The page was removed after that. (It may take a few seconds to load)
Corporal Punishment and Fundamentalist Christianity:
Physical “Discipline” Is NOT Biblical Nor A Part Of The “Rod” Verses
Spanking Children: Does the Bible Tell Me So? | HuffPost Religion
Keith Johnson’s “Child Training Seminar”
Accelerated Christian Education or ACE School of Tomorrow:
ACE School of Tomorrow information:
Academic studies and educational reviews:
Scaramanga, J., Reiss, M.J. Evolutionary stasis: creationism, evolution and climate change in the Accelerated Christian Education curriculum. Cult Stud of Sci Educ (2023).
Fleming, D.; Hunt, T. (1987). "The World as Seen by Students in Accelerated Christian Education". Phi Delta Kappan (68): pp. 518–523.
Scaramanga, Jenna. (2017). Systems of Indoctrination: Accelerated Christian Education in England. Thesis for: PhD
Scaramanga, Jenna & Reiss, Michael. (2017). Accelerated Christian Education: a case study of the use of race in voucher-funded private Christian schools. Journal of Curriculum Studies. 50. 1-19. 10.1080/00220272.2017.1408856.
Comics/Cartoons:
Education vs Indoctrination - Noam Chomsky:
Duggar family:
Evangelical beliefs: