Residential school counselling program paused in N.W.T., cutting off trauma care for survivors

Indigenous Services Canada has left residential school survivors and their families in the Northwest Territories without access to critical mental health support after putting renewals and new intakes on hold in late May, even though the federal government approved funding for the program in March.

The Indian Residential Schools Resolution Health Support Program provides therapy for survivors and their families. Patients typically get pre-approved for counselling over a year and then need reapproval. The unexplained pause has disrupted continuity of care and left both clients and service providers uncertain about the program's future.

Catherine Blondin, an evacuee from Fort Simpson who fled wildfires and is now in Yellowknife, tried to book a therapy session during the stressful evacuation only to learn the program was on hold. "It's scary," she said. "You need that continuing care in order for something like counseling to be successful." She and her daughter both rely on the program to work through intergenerational residential school trauma.

Betty Bird, who has used the program for decades and encourages others to access it, discovered the halt by chance when someone she was helping was denied entry. Bird credits therapy with creating a "turning point" in her life. "I can honestly say that my issues took the back seat and I was in the driver seat," she said. "From my grandma to my grandson, we have made strides in becoming a healthier family." She emphasized that alternatives are scarce in the North and called on Ottawa to fulfill its obligation to support healing.

Both clients stressed the program remains essential in a region where the intergenerational trauma of residential schools continues to shape families and communities.