Health and Healing

The Government is committed to a fair and lasting resolution to the legacy of Indian Residential Schools. An important part of this process is working closely with former students, their families, and communities in support of projects that promote healing. Under the terms of the Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement, Health Canada provides mental health and emotional supports through the Resolution Health Support Program. Additionally, the Settlement Agreement provided $125 million to the Aboriginal Healing Foundation for community-based healing initiatives.

Health Canada's role

The Indian Residential Schools Resolution Health Support Program   (IRS RHSP), provides mental health and emotional support services directly to former students and their families as they participate in the component of the Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement. This includes professional counseling services, paraprofessional services through Aboriginal community-based workers, many whom speak Aboriginal languages, culturally appropriate supports with Elders, and transportation to access supports not available in the home community.

For more information, please visit the Health Canada  website.

Healing Foundation

Since the establishment of the Aboriginal healing Foundation in 1998, the Government of Canada has provided $515 million, including $125 million endowment provided as part of the Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement, for community-based healing initiatives. The Foundation supports 12 healing centres across the country that will continue to operate until March 31, 2012. As part of its wind-down strategy, the Foundation will fulfill the remaining work of its mandate, which includes the publication of annual reports, corporate plans, newsletters, and the production of five more major research projects.

For more information, please visit the Aboriginal Healing Foundation  website.