Health Support Workers
Contracted Service with Health Canada
The Indian Residential Schools Mental Health Support Program provides mental health support and transportation services for all eligible claimants through Health Canada’s regional offices. They work with family members to ensure support is available for extended family who are affected by the hearings. They have worked very closely with the Secretariat to ensure the critically ill former students and families have the support for hearings in hospitals. Contracted with First Nations Indian Health Branch (FNIHB), NCSA employs two Resolution Health Support Workers (RHSW) to provide culturally appropriate emotional support services to former students of residential schools.
Healing Tears Program (Grande Prairie)
Program funded by Aboriginal Healing Foundation Native Counselling Services of Alberta, in partnership with Nechi Institute, deliver the Healing Tears Program to meet the unique and holistic needs of residential school survivors and their families in a culturally sensitive and safe environment. This program combines traditional and western approaches to healing, such as the Medicine Wheel Teachings, which honour the traditional and cultural ways of Aboriginal people. We have noted the significant impact this unique program makes in the lives of our clients in support of their healing journey.
The Healing Tears Program provides individuals with opportunities to gain greater self worth, confidence and pride through cultural teaching, recreational activities, educational presentations, and life skills to address their spiritual, emotional, physical and mental needs. We recognize individuals’ successes and celebrate life at every opportunity, as we believe it is paramount to celebrate the achievements and successes of others to build greater self-esteem, confidence and a sense of belonging. We invite traditional Elders and community resources to share their wisdom and expertise. We also have a psychologist available to all our clients once a week and child care is provided to support the mothers in their healing process.
In addition, in keeping with traditional values, we provide and share food at each circle to create a sense of community. Finally, once a month we provide an “Elders Survivors Circle” to meet the healing needs of residential school survivors.
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Healing Tears Program Youth Circle (Grande Prairie)
Funded by Métis Nations of Alberta, UMAYC
The Youth Circle is delivered on a weekly basis through the Healing Tears Program in concert with the Women’s Circle. By focusing on youth participation, the Circle addresses the holistic needs of the whole family and completes our circle.
In the Circle, the youth are taught the importance of our cultural values and beliefs, such as respecting self and others. The youth are also provided with information through various educational presentations and are involved in community outings. Many of the youth we serve come from disadvantaged families and would not have access to the opportunities we offer in our program otherwise. The Youth Circle has had a positive effect on their social and communication skills; as a result, they are realizing a significant increase in their self-esteem and confidence.
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