Indian Residential Schools
Former students of Indian residential schools who are resolving
claims against the Government of Canada through the Alternative
Dispute Resolution Process or through litigation for the physical
abuse, sexual abuse or wrongful confinement they suffered at Indian
residential schools can seek mental health and emotional support
services through Health Canada.
The Government of Canada recognizes that those who disclose abuses
they have suffered at Indian residential schools often require
emotional support before, during, and after the dispute resolution
or litigation process.
Health Canada ensures that eligible Indian residential school
claimants and immediate family members have access to appropriate
support services, so that they may safely address a broad spectrum
of issues related to the disclosure of childhood abuses and the
impacts of these experiences while they are resolving their claim.
Services for Indian Residential Schools Claimants
Services funded by Health Canada in support of those who have
suffered abuses in Indian residential schools may include mental
health counselling, transportation to attend counselling or to
be assisted by an Elder or Healer, and the services of a Resolution
Health Support Worker. Claimants seeking these services may contact
their Health Canada regional coordinator.
For more information on the services provided to claimants, see Health
Canada's Indian Residential Schools Mental Health Support Program .
The Path to Healing
On January 7, 1998 , the Government of Canada announced it was
committing $350 million to support the development of a Healing
Strategy to address the legacy of physical and sexual abuse
in the residential school system.
For more information on how these funds are spent, visit the  Aboriginal
Healing Foundation Web site.
History of Indian Residential Schools
A better understanding of the history of Indian residential schools
may help to shed light on the legacy of abuses in this school system.
The Office of Indian Residential Schools Resolution of Canada presents
on its Web site an historical
overview of the residential school system.
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