February 1998

Introduction

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.

The commitment is part of Gathering Strength -- Canada's Aboriginal Action Plan, which represents a new approach to Aboriginal issues based on a renewed partnership.

What is the Healing Strategy?

The Healing Strategy is not a compensation package. Rather, it is a mechanism to support community healing initiatives which can address the legacy of physical and sexual abuse suffered while attending a Residential School.

The Healing Strategy is an initiative intended to support community-based healing for Aboriginal people - Inuit, First Nations (on and off reserve) and Métis people - who have been affected by the legacy of physical and sexual abuse in the Residential School system. It is also intended to help Aboriginal individuals and communities start the process of healing and thus improve their health and well-being.

The Healing Strategy will be run by a body operating at "arms length" (independently) from the government and Aboriginal political organizations. It will review and fund community-based proposals that address the healing needs of communities, families and individuals.

What kinds of proposals will be funded and how will it run?

This will be determined by the arms length body. It can be expected that a mix of traditional and non-traditional healing initiatives will be included.

What input will Aboriginal people have in the Healing Strategy?

The federal government has already begun discussions on the Healing Strategy with Aboriginal people. Following these discussions, the best means of administering and delivering this funding will be announced.

A key element of Gathering Strength - Canada's Aboriginal Action Plan is the recognition that Aboriginal people must participate fully in the design and delivery of programs affecting their lives and communities. The federal government's intention is to ensure that decisions about the healing needs of residential school attendees are shaped by those most affected by this system.

It is expected that an agreement on the arms length body will be reached with Aboriginal groups by the end of March 1998.

How can money be accessed through the strategy?

An arms length body will be established in partnership with Aboriginal people. It will then administer the funding to support the Healing Strategy. The criteria and processes by which this body will fund proposals and submissions will be widely publicized once they are determined.

When can communities access these monies?

This can only be determined once the arms length body has been established.

This information sheet is also available on the Internet at the following addresses: http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/fnihb-dgspni/fnihb/index.htm

Jointly produced by Indian and Northern Affairs Canada and First Nations and Inuit Health Branch , February 1998.

Back