First Nations Child and Family Services, and Jordan's Principle Settlement Trauma-Informed Health and Cultural Support Services
Health and cultural support services for those affected by the First Nations Child and Family Services and Jordan's Principle Settlement.
Content warning!
This page discusses topics that may be distressing and awaken traumatic experiences.
The Hope for Wellness Helpline provides immediate, toll-free telephone and online-chat based support and crisis intervention to all Indigenous people in Canada. This service is available 24/7 in English and French, and upon request in Cree, Ojibway and Inuktitut. Experienced and culturally competent counsellors are available by phone at 1-855-242-3310 or by online chat at hopeforwellness.ca
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About the support services
The First Nations Child and Family Services and Jordan's Principle Settlement Trauma-Informed Health and Cultural Supports have been established in direct response to the First Nations Child and Family Services and Jordan's Principle Settlement.
This initiative builds on the existing trauma-informed support programs, with special attention given to the needs of children, youth and families. Assistance with transportation may be offered when mental health counselling and cultural support services are not locally available.
Who is eligible
The trauma-informed health and cultural support services are available to support the mental health needs of First Nations children and families who experienced discrimination due to Canada's underfunding of the First Nations Child and Family Services Program and the narrow application of Jordan's Principle. All class members and potential class members, regardless of Indigenous status or place of residence within Canada, are eligible.
Support services available
Trauma-informed emotional support
Emotional supports are provided by local Indigenous organizations and include:
- access to trained and trauma-informed Indigenous health workers
- dialogue
- awareness/information
- system navigation and referrals
- peer-support
- providing tools and resources to help with emotional reactions/triggers
Services offered are decided in collaboration between the individual and the service provider, and can include individual services, family services or community services.
Trauma-Informed Cultural Support
Cultural supports are provided by local Indigenous organizations and include access to:
- Elders
- Knowledge Holders
- Traditional Healers
- ceremonies
Cultural supports play a vital role in promoting well-being and healing within First Nations communities. Elders, Traditional Healers and Knowledge Keepers are respected members of the community who possess deep cultural wisdom. They offer guidance and share traditional knowledge and teachings to assist individuals on their healing journeys.
Specific supports are determined by the needs of the individuals and may include:
- dialogue
- ceremonies
- prayers
- Elder services
- traditional healing
These can include individual services or family services.
Mental health counselling
Both individual and family mental health counselling is provided by regulated mental health professionals such as psychologists and social workers who are:
- licensed in their province or territory
- in good standing with their regulatory body
- enrolled with Indigenous Services Canada or the designated First Nations Health Authority in British Columbia
Mental health counsellors will work with their clients to develop a wellness plan. They provide individual or family counselling to support healing as determined with the client.
Transportation
Transportation assistance for clients or service providers may be available to ensure access to mental health counselling and cultural support services when those services are not locally available. All travel follows the Non-Insured Health Benefits Medical Transportation Policy Framework and must be pre-approved by Indigenous Services Canada or the designated First Nations Health Authority in British Columbia.
How to access support services
To access support services, please contact the Indigenous Services Canada regional office in your province or territory.