Indian Residential School Support 

On this page
​​Addressing the Indian Residential Schools Legacy
Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG)
Cultural Support Provider
Contact information 
Addressing the Indian Residential Schools Legacy
 
Indian Residental Schools Resolution Health Support Program (IRSRHS)
  • Tribal Chiefs Ventures Inc. through the Resolution Health Support Services has and continues to provide Emotional, Mental Health and Cultural support to former Indian Residential School survivors, immediate, and extended family members through the following steps:
    • Independent Assessment Process:  The deadline for the IAP applications passed on September 19, 2012, however some cases are still in process.  Former students who have filed an Independent Assessment Process (IAP) for harms experienced in an Indian Residential School have an opportunity to share their story in a private Hearing.  IRSRHSW provide emotional supports before, during and after these Hearings.
    • Ongoing supports available are:  Appropriate referrals for counseling, therapy, traditional ceremonies, and healing practices.
    • Networking and Participation in community functions related to empowering the foundation of IRS.
    • IRSHS Program also assists claimants for the Federal Indian Day School applications by providing relevant information and connecting them to the appropriate department and personnel with their claims.
    • Other information and navigation are provided to other claims for Day Scholar, Indian Hospital and Sixties Scoop applications for compensation.
    • Additional information on the Federal Indian Day Schools, include
      • ​The Day School Support Center at Gowling WLG remains open to assist Claimants complete their claim forms.  If Legal advice is required in respect to determination of levels, the claimant will be referred to a lawyer to advise accordingly.
      • They offer live Zoom claim form workshops presentations.
      • Where emotional supports are needed, Claimants are advised to reach out to the Hope for Wellness Hotline at 1-855-242-3310.  Counselling is available in English, French, Cree, Ojibway, Inuktitut on request.
      • http://www.indiandayschools.com or by calling 1-844-539-3815.
    • The IRSHS program also provides educational Conferences and Workshops with various topics related to the Indian Residential Schools legacy to the member First Nations.
Missing and Murdered Indigenous Woman and Girls (MMIWG)
  • The MMIWG program was added to the IRS Program in November 2018 in which the IRSRHS team also provides a support service to the families who have a loved one missing and/or murdered.
  • In honor of the MMIWG and mandated guidelines, a Northeastern Alberta Family Gathering was coordinated to bring families together to share their experience(s) of traumatic grief, healing and connecting to community resources and supports.
  • The event was hosted by Beaver Lake First Nations on October 29 - 30, 2019.
  • A Trauma Informed Approach is the focus of delivery to all service(s).​
Cultural Support Provider - Elder Harry Watchmaker
  • Provides Traditional and Cultural supports and teachings to IRS, MMIWG, Day School families and individuals.
  • Provides supports to the IRS team by assisting in debriefing at the monthly IRS Training and Meeting.
  • Leads in Pipe Ceremonies for IRS events, Conferences, Workshops and Meetings.

Contact information 

Carol Dion
Indian Residential School Coordinator and Resolution Health Support Worker
Missing and Murdered Indigenous Woman and Girls
Phone Line: (780) 645-4288, ext. 204
Mobile: (780) 646-3325
E-mail: cdion@tcvi.ca
Bredner Lewis
Resolution Health Support Worker
Phone Line: 780-645-4288, ext. 202
Mobile: 587-547-4513
Email: blewis@tcvi.ca
Elder Harry Watchmaker 
Title: Cultural Support Provider
Phone Line: (780) 201-8951
​E-mail:  hwmaker01@gmail.com
Date modified:
 2020-06-16
​