Indian Residential School Survivors Society (IRSSS)

Provides help for and promotes healing of Aboriginal individuals and communities in BC who have experienced emotional, physical, sexual, and spiritual abuse in residential schools. Services include counselling, referral to community-based services, workshops on the effects of residential schools, and information and support for survivors who are seeking justice through criminal and civil processes. People and organizations can sign up for workshops (https://www.irsss.ca/service-request-form) on the history and impacts of Indian residential schools in Canada, on cultural awareness, and on a variety of other topics such as cultural agility over competency, intergenerational trauma, as well as understanding grief and loss. Staff give referrals to counsellors who are approved by First Nations Health Authority (FNHA) and who provide counselling at no cost to the client. Also offers advocacy, a resource library, public education, and support for communities. Service is provided at seven offices in BC. Lamathut Crisis Line provides 24-hour, cultural-affirming support to Indigenous survivors and the community impacted by colonial violence, including targeting Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two-Spirit (MMIWG2S); also provides support regarding gender-based violence. Office hours are 8:30 am to 4:30 pm Monday to Friday. Funded by First Nations Health Authority (NHA). Nonprofit society, registered charity.