Province provides more supports for residential school survivors

The B.C. government is providing $1.5 million for mental health and wellness supports for residential school survivors and Indigenous peoples as a result of the ongoing findings at former Indian residential schools.

The funding will expand existing mental health and wellness and cultural services. It will also provide resources for ongoing engagement and supports for survivors, intergenerational survivors and communities. This includes:

• enhancing the 24/7 cultural support line managed by the Indian Residential School Survivors Society, including additional counseling and cultural support staff;
• adding capacity for Tsow-Tun Le Lum Society to provide more in-person health and wellness and cultural supports, including services for communities carrying out work on the sites of former Indian residential schools and Indian hospitals;
• expanding the Métis Counseling Connection Program delivered by Métis Nation BC with a specific focus on the experience of Métis survivors.

This funding is part of $12 million announced in June 2021 for the BC Residential School Response Fund.