Funding boost for residential school crisis line that was 'inundated' with calls after unmarked graves revealed
The province of British Columbia is sharing details on how it’s spending and distributing the $12 million it announced for communities and residential school survivors back in June.
Following the confirmation of unmarked graves at residential school sites across the country, Indigenous-led mental health organizations say they’ve seen a surge in demand for their services.
On Monday, the province announced it is allocating $1.5 million of the $12 million to three Iindigenous-led and lndigenous-delivered services.
“It's important that these services be Indigenous-designed and Indigenous-delivered,” said Murray Rankin, Minister of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation.
“These Indigenous service providers are here for those that are struggling, they have exceptional expertise in providing these vital supports.”
Angela White, executive director of the Indian Residential School Survivors Society, said the funding provided to the society will go towards its 24-hour crisis line and its other programs. The demand for the crisis line skyrocketed in the six weeks after news of the unmarked graves at the Kamloops Indian Residential School made headlines this spring, she said.
“Our numbers speak for themselves.”
Every day, between the hours of 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., staff were collectively handling about 500 to 600 calls, she said. The evening teams were also flooded with calls.
“Each person was averaging about 30 to 45 calls during the evening,” White said. “Our call line was inundated.”
Although call volume has somewhat waned, the lines are still busy, she said.
“Some of the words that we have received from those that have partaken in that crisis line is that they are happy to have a place where they feel safe, that...the person on the other end of the phone is Indigenous,” White said.
“(Our callers feel confident that our staff) understand where they're coming from, and that they have the ability to extend even more assistance if required when it comes to cultural safety.”
Rankin and White were joined by Nola Jeffrey of the Tsow-Tun Le Lum Society and Lissa Smith of the Métis Nation BC, and Minister of Mental Health and Addictions Sheila Malcolmson.
The Indian Residential School Survivors Society will receive $750,000 for additional counselling and cultural support staff. The Tsow-Tun Le Lum Society will receive $500,000 to provide more in-person health, wellness and cultural supports, and the Métis Counselling Connection Program will receive $250,000 for mental health services specific to the experience of Métis survivors.
The rest of the $12,000 will be distributed to the 21 caretaker communities. These are nations that are near to where the province’s residential schools were located, but the services provided are open to any Indigenous person who attended the schools. Rankin said that to date, $2.85 million of that money has been “taken up” by the communities, and it will remain available until it’s been spent.
Support services for residential school survivors in B.C. can be found here:
- 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:
- Phone 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
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Expert warns of food consumption habits amid rising prices
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
opinion The special relationship between King Charles and the Princess of Wales
Royal commentator Afua Hagan writes that when King Charles recently admitted Catherine to the Order of the Companions of Honour, it not only made history, but it reinforced the strong bond between the King and his beloved daughter-in-law.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Improve balance and build core strength with this exercise
When it comes to cardiovascular fitness, you may tend to focus on activities that move you forward, such as walking, running and cycling.
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.
Mountain guide dies after falling into a crevasse in Banff National Park
A man who fell into a crevasse while leading a backcountry ski group deep in the Canadian Rockies has died.
MPP Sarah Jama asked to leave Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
MPP Sarah Jama was asked to leave the Legislative Assembly of Ontario by House Speaker Ted Arnott on Thursday for wearing a keffiyeh, a garment which has been banned at Queen’s Park.
Here's why provinces aren't following Saskatchewan's lead on the carbon tax home heating fight
After Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the federal government would still send Canada Carbon Rebate cheques to Saskatchewan residents, despite Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe's decision to stop collecting the carbon tax on natural gas or home heating, questions were raised about whether other provinces would follow suit. CTV News reached out across the country and here's what we found out.
Ex-tabloid publisher testifies he scooped up possibly damaging tales to shield his old friend Trump
As Donald Trump was running for president in 2016, his old friend at the National Enquirer was scooping up potentially damaging stories about the candidate and paying out tens of thousands of dollars to keep them from the public eye.