Residential School Healing Centres receive funding

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Residential School Healing Centres receive funding

April 4, 2022

Manitoba is investing $500,000 to support 10 Indigenous residential school healing centres.

“Manitoba is acknowledging past harms and responding to intergenerational traumas and needs of residential school survivors for support,” said Mental Health and Community Wellness Minister Sarah Guillemard. “We will partner closely with these Indigenous-led organizations to help bring about healing through traditional Indigenous ceremonies, safe mental health approaches and holistic community-based care.”

The funding supplements federal funding under the Indian Residential Schools Resolution Health Support Program. That program provides emotional, cultural, spiritual and mental health support services to eligible former residential school students and their families.

“This investment strengthens Manitoba’s role in advancing reconciliation,” said Indigenous Reconciliation and Northern Relations Minister Alan Lagimodiere. “It expands culturally holistic healing and trauma support services while strengthening family connections around the shared experiences of Manitobans who attended Indigenous residential schools.”

Culturally appropriate healing services will be offered by a cultural support worker or a residential school health support worker through 10 urban and rural organizations:

Aboriginal Health and Wellness Centre of Winnipeg, Inc.;
Anish Corporation (Swan Lake First Nation);
Cree Nation Tribal Health (The Pas);
Cross Lake Band – Indian Residential School Healing Program;
Keewatin Tribal Council (Thompson);
Sagkeeng Indian Residential School Wellness Centre (Pine Falls);
St. Theresa Point First Nation Healing Centre;
Southeast Resource Development Council (Winnipeg);
Wa-Say Healing Centre (Winnipeg); and
West Region Treaty 2 and 4 Health Services (Dauphin).

“With this funding, our survivors, their families and communities are feeling supported through their healing journey, especially during these difficult times,” said Noella Gentes, director of programs, Aboriginal Health and Wellness Centre of Winnipeg, Inc.