Ontario is providing $812,500 to the Ontario Federation of Indigenous Friendship Centres to enhance mental health and wellness programming to support healing for Indian Residential School Survivors and Families.
The investment will provide access to cultural-based workshops, traditional healing activities and education initiatives.
Cheryl Edwards is the Executive Director of the Dryden Native Friendship Centre and she calls this an important investment.
“I just believe that this is one of many steps to come in terms of healing and wellness for Indigenous people and hopefully we can work through how Residential Schools touched many individuals and being able to work forward, not only as individuals but as families.”
Edwards adds, “I believe it’s very important for Truth and Reconciliation and healing for many individuals who attended Residential Schools and their families in terms of recovery. I believe these funds will be able to assist with that process and be able to provide a number of services that are Indigenous led.”
The Dryden Native Friendship Centre is receiving $110,000 to hire an Inter-generational Trauma Coordinator.
Edwards says, “That program will be for one year and it is a pilot project for Dryden and individuals who have been impacted by Residential Schools. Not only them but their families as well.”
The Red Lake Indian Friendship Centre and Nishnawbe-Gamik Friendship Centre in Sioux Lookout are also expected to receiving funding.
Minister of Indigenous Affairs and Kenora-Rainy River MPP Greg Rickford says, “It is critical that culturally appropriate, trauma-informed mental health supports are available for Indian Residential School Survivors, their families and Indigenous communities. Our government continues to seek direction from Indigenous partners on their funding needs for Indian Residential School burial investigations, including funding for critical mental health supports.”
