Indian Residential Schools Resolution Health Support Program

The Indian Residential Schools Resolution Health Support Program (IRS-RHSP) provides emotional and cultural support services to former Indian Residential School students and their family and intergenerational members. 

The attempt to assimilate students though Indian Residential Schools led to a loss of the foundation of Cree Spiritual teachings necessary for life. This service helps former students and family members regain those teachings that are important to live a good life, miyuupimaatisiiwin. 

This program can be offered in the home, in a traditional setting (for example, a teepee), out on the land, or in a cabin. It is up to the client. Our Cree people believe that the land heals.   

Participants in the program receive traditional and spiritual teachings from elders, pastors, cultural support providers, traditional medicine people and peer counsellors. The program’s Resolution Health Support Workers (RHSW) provide emotional support and the Cultural Support Providers (CSP) help with the cultural support. 

The program also assists residential school survivors:  

• Before, during and after their participation in Settlement Agreement processes 
• With their Common Experience Payments and the Independent Assessment Process 
• With their participation in Truth and Reconciliation Commission events and Commemoration activities. 
• With the Indian Day School Settlements. 

Family members of the MMIW, missing and murdered indigenous women, including girls, boys and men, also receive support from the IRS-RHSP workers.

The duration of these supports is up to the client and his/her family members.

You can get this service 

• By contacting any mental health service provider, including visiting psychologists, therapists, or mental health workers; 
• By contacting the Maanuuhiikuu (Mental Health Services) office; 
• By contacting the support workers from your community (Maanuuhiikuu has a has list of these workers). 

For more information, contact your local CMC.