The B.C. government has announced $12 million in funding to support First Nations with their investigative work at former residential school sites in the province.
The money will support First Nations with community-led strategies to identify, investigate, document, maintain, protect, and commemorate residential school sites where children’s remains may be located.
It will also provide community wellness, cultural and mental health support to communities and people experiencing trauma from residential school site findings.
“Finding evidence of a burial site for children who attended the former Kamloops residential school was a stark reminder of the atrocities of the Canadian residential school system and how those continue to be felt to this day,” Murray Rankin, the Minister of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation, said, in a statement.
“Many other sites throughout the province and country are still the source of unanswered questions and terrible pain. It is imperative that we take our lead from First Nations as we move forward, and we will continue to act quickly and in a coordinated way to support their needs.”
The government says it has been coordinating closely with Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada, Indigenous Services Canada and the First Nations Health Authority (FNHA) to support First Nation-led responses to determine needs and next steps for searches at other sites, removing structures, providing resources for healing and identifying other supports.
“The provision of these funds for immediate use by First Nations in the aftermath of discoveries of remains at residential school sites is an important first step in supporting the resiliency and healing of B.C. First Nations people,” Charlene Belleau, chair, First Nations Health Council, said.
“We acknowledge our B.C. government partners for this effort, as our communities honour the spirit of these lost children.”
There were 18 residential schools that operated in B.C. This new provincial funding will support healing for survivors and families in both Indigenous communities and urban areas including Tk’emlúps te Secwe̓pemc in Kamloops and the Daylu Dena Council in Lower Post.
“Acknowledging trauma and the damaging and lasting impacts residential school have on First Nations people, their families and communities is a first step,” said Richard Jock, the CEO of the First Nations Health Authority.
“The ongoing provision of culturally safe healing and wellness supports for B.C. First Nations must be communities-driven and Nation-based. This must be the primary focus going forward.”
More information on how First Nations can access the provincial funding for site investigation work and cultural and wellness supports will be shared in the coming days.
Support services for residential school survivors in British Columbia:
* The KUU-US Crisis Line Society provides a 24-hour, provincewide Indigenous crisis line for Indigenous peoples in B.C. Adults, call 250 723-4050. Children and youth, call 250 723-2040. Toll-free: 1 800 588-8717
* First Nations and Inuit Hope for Wellness Help Line for Indigenous people across Canada toll-free 1 855 242-3310 or chat online: https://www.hopeforwellness.ca/
* The Métis Crisis Line for Métis people in B.C., available 24 hours a day at 1 833 MétisBC: 1 833 638-4722
* Tsow Tun Le Lum for Indigenous peoples in B.C., phone: 1 888 403-3123
* Indian Residential School Survivors Society, phone: 1 800 721-0066 or 604 985-4464
* 24-Hour National Crisis Line for residential school survivors and others affected: 1 866 925-4419