As of March 2002 we formally became the Indian Residential School Survivors Society. (The previous history included - Since 1994, the Project evolved into a sub-organization of the Summit, with five B.C. regional representatives comprising the board. Each board member is either an Indian residential school survivor or an inter-generational survivor. The board was supported by a staff of 16 professionals, most of whom are themselves either Indian residential school survivors or inter-generational survivors.)

The Society's Mandate

To assist First Peoples in British Columbia to recognize and be holistically empowered from the primary and generational effects of residential schools by supporting research, promoting awareness, establishing partnerships and advocating for justice and healing.

Board Members

What can the Society do for me?

For Survivors: We can help in many ways. If you need information about what your options are for healing or justice you can call and speak to a support worker. We can tell you where to start researching, how to start a criminal case, give you information on civil cases, class action cases and alternative dispute processes as well as help you find resources. We can tell you about what is happening in the rest of the country and we know about books, videos, and sometimes, healing circles in your area. We can help you start a healing circle.

We can also listen when you need to talk. Our service is completely confidential. Our survivor support workers are trained crisis counsellors who are very knowledgeable about residential school experiences. We know what it is like when you start to remember. We know about the shame, anger, sadness, loss, rage, confusion, and sense of utter aloneness. We can help ground you when you feel lost in the feelings.

We can also refer you to longer term help whether it be a traditional healer or counsellor. If other kinds of therapy are useful to you we can help you find practitioners and suggest ways for you to find funding.

For Workers: We can offer workshops on residential school history, impacts on individuals and families, suicide prevention, sexual abuse response, the justice system and other options. We can also give referrals and suggestions on how to best meet your clients’ needs or what kinds of safety measures should be in place for community workshops. Click here to see list of workshops we provide.

Membership Registration

The mandate of the IRSSS is to assist aboriginal peoples in British Columbia to recognize and be wholistically empowered from the generational effects of Indian residential schools by conducting research, promoting awareness, establishing partnerships and advocating for justice and healing. We do this by assisting with Healing, Education, Counselling, Traditional Healing, Support Groups, Criminal and Civil Court Support & Referrals.

To join the society as a member please print this page and fill it out and send it to us.