The provincial government has announced $1.5 million in funding to expand mental wellness and cultural supports for survivors of Indian Residential Schools, their families and communities.
Recent findings at residential schools, and awareness brought about by the first National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, have triggered painful memories of harms inflicted on generations of Indigenous people.
“These funds come at a critical time for BC First Nations people who continue to suffer the lasting impacts of Canada's Indian Residential School system," says Sonia Isaac-Mann, FNHA Vice President of Community Health and Wellness, Programs and Services.
Funding will help increase capacity for existing programs to meet the needs of survivors, intergenerational survivors and communities, including:
- Enhancing the 24-hour cultural support line managed by the Indian Residential School Survivors Society;
- Increasing capacity for Tsow-Tun Le Lum Society to provide individual and community health and wellness services, including supporting on-site support at former Indian Residential Schools and Indian Hospitals; and
- Expanding the Métis Counselling Connection Program delivered by Métis Nation BC.
This funding is part of $12 million announced in June 2021 for the BC Residential School Response Fund.
While the government's financial contribution is welcome news, Isaac-Mann said there is still much more work needed to provide culturally safe health and wellness supports for those directly impacted by the Residential School system.
The FNHA provides mental health and wellness supports for Indigenous people impacted by Indian Residential Schools. For more information, visit www.fnha.ca/what-we-do/mental-wellness-and-substance-use/residential-schools.
