(Ottawa, ON) – Today, the Assembly of First Nations released the Indian Residential School (IRS) Resolution Health Support Program Continuation Report. The report calls for the renewal of the IRS Resolution Health Support Program, due to expire on March 31, 2021, that helps thousands of Survivors and their families on their healing journeys.
“I stand with Survivors, their families, support workers and community organizations to advocate for the continuation of the Indian Residential School Resolution Health Support Program, a program that helps so many with healing,” says National Chief Perry Bellegarde. “After everything Survivors have endured, it’s important that Canada recognizes that this program is essential for their mental wellbeing.”
The report was released today to coincide with Orange Shirt Day, a day when Canadians reflect on the experiences of Residential School Survivors. The report, made with the voices of Survivors who have benefited from the program, presents evidence showing the significance of the program, and the need for it to stay.
In the first seven years of the program’s existence, almost 900,000 Survivors and families reached out for cultural and emotional support. Additionally, more than 65,000 Survivors and families participated in almost 500,000 counselling sessions across Canada.
Read the entire IRS Resolution Health Support Program Continuation Report here: http://www.afn.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Indian-Residential-Schools-Resolution-Health-Support-Program-Continuation-Report-FINAL.pdf
The AFN is the national organization representing First Nations citizens in Canada. Follow AFN on Twitter @AFN_Updates.
For more information please contact:
Michael Hutchinson
Interim Communications Director
Assembly of First Nations
613-859-6831 (cell)
[email protected]
Karen Joyner
Communications Officer
Assembly of First Nations
613-292-0857 (cell)
[email protected]