B.C. funding $12 million for investigative work at former residential school sites

KAMLOOPS — The B.C. government allocated $12 million to support First Nations throughout the province with investigative work at former residential school sites.

The funding will support First Nations with community-led strategies to identify, investigate, document, maintain, protect, and commemorate residential school sites where children’s remains may be located, as well as to provide community wellness, cultural and mental health supports.

“Finding evidence of a burial site for children who attended the former Kamloops residential school was a stark reminder of the atrocities of the Canadian residential school system and how those continue to be felt to this day,” Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation Minister Murray Rankin said. “Many other sites throughout the province and country are still the source of unanswered questions and terrible pain. It is imperative that we take our lead from First Nations as we move forward, and we will continue to act quickly and in a co-ordinated way to support their needs.”

The province said it’s co-ordinating closely with Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada, Indigenous Services Canada, and the First Nations Health Authority (FNHA) to support First Nation-led responses.

Both the provincial and federal governments, and the FNHA, are working with several First Nations – including Tk’emlúps te Secwe̓pemc – that have requested assistance to determine needs and next steps for searches at other sites. As well as removing structures, providing resources for healing, and identifying other supports.

“The provision of these funds for immediate use by First Nations in the aftermath of discoveries of remains at residential school sites is an important first step in supporting the resiliency and healing of B.C. First Nations people,” First Nations Health Council Chair Charlene Belleau said. “We acknowledge our B.C. government partners for this effort, as our communities honour the spirit of these lost children.”

The new provincial funding will support healing for residential school survivors, and families, in both Indigenous communities and urban areas.

Support services for residential school survivors in B.C. include:

• 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 – 1 855 242-3310 or online
• The Métis Crisis Line for Métis people in B.C., available 24 hours a day at 1 833 638-4722
• Tsow Tun Le Lum for Indigenous peoples in B.C. at 1 888 403-3123
• Indian Residential School Survivors Society at 1 800 721-0066 or 604 985-4464
• 24-Hour National Crisis Line for residential school survivors and others affected at 1 866 925-4419