Federal Indian Day Schools Health and Cultural Support Program
Cultural and emotional support services, and mental health counselling for Survivors, their families and Intergenerational Survivors of Federal Indian Day Schools.
Content warning!
This page discusses topics that may be distressing and awaken traumatic experiences.
The Hope for Wellness Helpline provides immediate, toll-free telephone and online-chat based support and crisis intervention to all Indigenous people in Canada. This service is available 24/7 in English and French, and upon request in Cree, Ojibway, and Inuktitut.
Experienced and culturally competent counsellors are available by phone at 1-855-242-3310 or by online chat at hopeforwellness.ca.
On this page
About the program
The Federal Indian Day Schools (IDS) Health and Cultural Support Program was implemented in 2020 in direct response to the Federal Indian Day Schools (McLean) Settlement Agreement. It provides cultural and emotional support services, and mental health counselling services to Survivors, their families and Intergenerational Survivors of Federal Indian Day Schools.
Program eligibility
Survivors, their families, and Intergenerational Survivors of Federal Indian Day Schools are eligible for services from the Federal Indian Day Schools Health and Cultural Support Program regardless of status or place of residence within Canada.
Family members and Intergenerational Survivors can include:
- a spouse or partner
- a parents or guardians
- a child of a former student
- anyone raised by or raised in the household of a former student
- anyone currently in a household with a former student
- any relatives who have experienced effects of intergenerational trauma associated with an eligible family member's experience with a Federal Indian Day School
Even if you are not eligible for this program, you may be eligible for other support service programs under the Trauma-Informed Health and Cultural Support Program.
Services available
Cultural supports
Cultural support providers are Elders, Knowledge Holders and Traditional Healers who are recognized and respected by their communities. Cultural support providers safely explore and address issues related to intergenerational and childhood trauma. The type of support they offer depends on the needs of each individual and may include, but is not limited to:
- traditional healing
- ceremonies
- teachings and dialogue
- Elder services
- prayers
- other traditional practices
Cultural support providers are provided by local Indigenous organizations.
Emotional support
Emotional support workers are trained and experienced community-based workers/or peer supports. Emotional support workers create a safe, non-judgmental space where clients can express their feelings. The type of support they offer depends on the needs of each individual and may include, but is not limited to:
- dialogue
- awareness and information
- system navigation and referrals
- peer-support
- providing tools and resources to help with emotional reactions/triggers
Emotional support workers are provided by local Indigenous organizations.
Mental health counselling
Mental health counselling service providers are registered psychologists and registered social workers who are:
- in good standing with their provincial or territorial regulatory body
- registered with Indigenous Services Canada
They help individuals and families heal from trauma, such as intergenerational or childhood trauma related to Federal Indian Day School experiences.
Mental Health counselling services can be offered in individual, family, or group sessions.
Eligibility for mental health counselling in British Columbia may be different from the rest of Canada. For any questions about eligibility in that province, please contact the BC First Nations Health Authority's First Nations Health Benefits and Services.
For service providers: Forms related to mental health counselling are available on the ISC Forms webpage.
Transportation
Assistance with medical transportation may be offered when cultural support services and mental health counselling are not locally available.
Accessing services
Please contact the ISC regional office or designated health authority in your province or territory to access services through the Federal Indian Day Schools Health and Cultural Support Program.
If you are in British Columbia, contact the First Nations Health Authority.
Other support service programs
Other trauma-informed health support services are available. You may be eligible for support services under the following programs:
- Indian Residential Schools Resolution Health Support Program
- Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and 2SLGBTQI+ People Health and Cultural Support Program
- Expanded Trauma-Informed Health and Cultural Support Program
- First Nations Child and Family Services, and Jordan's Principle Settlement Agreement Support Services
- Federal Indian Hospitals Settlement Agreement Support Services
Pamphlet: Encountering strong emotional reactions
Thinking about how Federal Indian Day Schools affected you or your family can lead to negative or upsetting thoughts or memories.
The pamphlet Encountering strong emotional reactions is designed to help you recognize the reactions you may have.