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Message from Richard Jock, FNHA Chief Executive Officer

The First Nations Health Authority (FNHA) has learned more information about Pope Francis' visit to Canada from July 24 to 29 and the potential opportunity for Indigenous people to travel to and engage with the leader of the Catholic Church.

First Nations, Métis and Inuit representatives from across Canada received an initial apology earlier this year at the Vatican when the Pope made a commitment to visit Canada to provide an elaboration on First Nations territory.

Entitled “Healing and Reconciliation: An Historic Journey," the Papal Visit will provide unique opportunity to listen and have a dialogue with Indigenous people as well as address and acknowledge the impact of the Catholic Church's involvement in the colonization of Canada's Indigenous Peoples.

While the Pope will not be visiting any locations in British Columbia (BC), he will be in Edmonton, Alberta, and the FNHA is supportive of and acknowledges that many First Nations people—especially those directly impacted by residential schools—will want to travel to see and listen to Pope Francis.

The BC Assembly of First Nations (BCAFN) will receive an allocation of tickets for each site during the Papal Visit, and will work to ensure that no former student or survivor will be turned away.

The Pope will be in attendance at four public events and one public viewing event:

• Maskwacis, Alberta, July 25, 10 a.m.
• Commonwealth Stadium, Alberta, July 26, 10:15 a.m.
• Lac Ste. Anne, Alberta, July 26, 5 p.m.
• Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupre, Quebec, July 28, 10 a.m.
• La Citadelle, Plains of Abraham, Quebec, July 27, 4 p.m.

Please visit this link to BCAFN for registering for and acquiring tickets.

You may contact BCAFN with any questions at papalvisit2022@bcafn.ca.

Please note that all tickets will be free and any selling of tickets is not sanctioned by the BCAFN or any other Indigenous organization.

For those who cannot or do not want to travel to events, the FNHA will work with the Indian Residential School Survivors Society (IRSSS) to organize events in Vancouver, Prince George and Terrace during the Papal Visit. Other organizations may be holding events and FNHA will inform First Nations of this information as it becomes available.

As well, in the spirit of reconciliation, the Government of Canada is supporting Indigenous communities and organizations to meet the needs of survivors and community members throughout the Papal Visit. This includes providing one-time funding to First Nations, Inuit, and Métis communities and governments, as well as a limited number of urban Indigenous organizations and organizations that serve Indigenous women and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people. Communities and organizations will be contacted directly.

• Government of Canada support (PDF)
  

The FNHA has received confirmation of these one-time funds to provide BC First Nations communities and organizations with the flexibility to implement their own trauma-informed and culturally-grounded responses to their survivors' and members' needs before, during, and after the Papal visit. The FNHA will be sending letters to communities confirming the funding allocations for these purposes.

Please note that Self-Governing and Treaty First Nations will receive funding from the Indigenous Services Canada regional office.

For the most up-to-date information about the official Papal events from the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops, you can visit papalvisit.ca.

FNHA Mental Health, Emotional and Cultural Supports

Acknowledging that First Nations survivors, families and leaders have very differing views on the Pope's apology and visit, and that the memories and experiences of residential schools may cause the recurrence of trauma, the FNHA will continue to focus on the mental health and wellness of all BC First Nations and communities:

• FNHA's Indian Residential Schools Resolution Health Support Program contacts: https://www.fnha.ca/what-we-do/mental-wellness-and-substance-use/residential-schools
• Emotional support services and activities to help First Nations individuals, families, communities, and nations to safely address a broad spectrum of mental health issues related to the impacts of these experiences.  
• Cultural support services and activities are provided by elders or traditional healers through dialogue, prayers, traditional healing, ceremonies, or teachings.
• Professional counselling services (administered through FNHA Health Benefits) are available as well as transportation assistance to travel to appointments. 

Partner Support Services for Mental Health and Cultural Supports in BC:

• The KUU-US Crisis Line Society provides a 24-hour, province-wide Indigenous crisis line for Indigenous peoples in BC – Adults please call 250 723-4050. Children and youth please call 250 723-2040. Toll-free: 1 800 588-8717
• First Nations and Inuit Hope for Wellness Help Line for Indigenous people across Canada: Phone toll-free at 1 855 242-3310 or chat online: https://www.hopef​orwellness.ca/
• The Métis Crisis Line for Métis people in BC, available 24 hours a day at 1 833 MétisBC (1 833 638-4722)
• Tsow-Tun-Le-Lum for Indigenous peoples in BC at 1 888 403-3123
• Indian Residential School Survivors Society at 1 800 721-0066 or 604 985-4464
• 24-Hour National Crisis Line for residential school survivors and others affected at 1 866 925-4419
  

Quick Facts:

• 18 residential schools operated in BC.
• The first one to open in 1863 was St. Mary's in Mission, which was also the last to close in 1984 after 121 years in operation.
• In addition to residential schools, there were more than 100 day schools and three Indian hospitals in Prince Rupert, Nanaimo and Sardis.