Long-term supports needed to brace for impact of more residential school site discoveries: FNHA

KAMLOOPS — The discovery of hundreds of child-burial sites near the former Kamloops Indian Residential School has had a far-reaching impact — nationally, and mentally for residential school survivors, their families and communities.

In response, the First Nations Health Authority (FNHA) has implemented free online and phone supports for Tk’emlups specifically, and the rest of B.C. Given the amount of calls and inquiries, FNHA CEO Richard Jock says they will be boosting services for as much 24/7 access as possible and improving the phone line capacity.

“We’ve had a tremendous uptick in requests for support,” Jock told CFJC Today. “But also in each of the services we’re seeing as many as 700 calls a week from outside the province.”

Jock says some of the BC-specific services include the 24/7 KUU-US Crisis line (1-800-588-8717), the Tsow-Tun-Le Lum Society line (1-866-403-3123), along with the Indian Residential School Survivors Society (1-800-721-0066).

Across Canada, people can access the 24 hour National Crisis Line (1-866-925-4419).

“We have programs and services available in a number of ways, and I would say we are open to respond more generally as we go forward and as the situation continues to unfold.”

Jock notes the immediate resources FNHA has set up will likely be needed for the long term, should more sites be uncovered at other residential schools.

“There were 18 (schools) across B.C. so I would say that this is not a short journey,” he says. “We will need help from allies and system partners and individual partners and individual citizens.”

Nina Kimmons is a counsellor working through online platforms with Our Landing Place Therapy Collective, and has offered complimentary services to Indigenous clients in the Kamloops area. (Click here to access her Facebook page for contact information)

Kimmons notes the online counselling services are not intended to replace traditional Indigenous healing practices, but to offer a supplemental support.

“I recognize my limitations as a non-Indigenous person, and healing is ultimately going to come from First Nations communities and traditional practices, and I can’t provide that. I know that,” Kimmons explains. “But what I can provide is my knowledge, and my heart, and a safe place to be heard.”

Kimmons says speaking to a therapist can be one of many tools used to process trauma. She says the far-reaching implications of the residential school system and its impacts aren’t a one-day crisis and extended supports will be important.

“So that there’s a deeper understanding into the impact and the long term impacts and intergenerational trauma and the realities of that,” she says. “This is very much a today issue, and this is going to be a long healing process, and a long process of reconciliation.”

As communities grieve and process the emotions stirred by the Tk’emlups discovery, First Nations Health Authority and other service providers say mental health care options are ready for all who may need them.

LIST OF RESOURCES:

KUU-US Crisis Line: 1-800-588-8717

Tsow-Tun-Le Lum: 1-866-403-3123

Indian Residential School Survivors Society Toll-Free Line: 1-800-721-0066

24hr National Crisis Line: 1-866-925-4419