SUPPORT SERVICES
Cultural, Emotional & Crisis Support.
IRSSS is dedicated to providing compassionate, culturally grounded support for Indian Residential School Survivors, their families, and communities. Our services include crisis support, counselling, advocacy, and cultural healing to help individuals navigate their healing journey. Explore our programs and find the support that’s right for you.
CULTURAL DIVERSITY ACROSS BC
Celebrating & Preserving Traditions.
BC is home to over 200 First Nations, each with its own unique traditions, history, and cultural practices. With more than 30 languages and nearly 60 dialects spoken across the province, the diversity is remarkable. IRSSS is honoured to work alongside a network of cultural knowledge keepers, fostering connection and healing through community gatherings, traditional rituals, and educational events and more.
COMPASSIONATE CARE FOR SURVIVORS & FAMILIES
Resolution Health Support.
IRSSS provides vital support for those impacted by the lasting trauma of the Indian Residential School system. These institutions, created to forcibly assimilate Indigenous children, caused profound harm through systemic abuse and cultural erasure—effects that continue across generations. Our Resolution Health Support program offers compassionate, culturally grounded services to help Survivors and their families on their healing journey.
LAMATHUT CRISIS LINE 24/7 SUPPORT: 1 (800) 721-0066
IMMEDIATE SUPPORT, ANYTIME YOU NEED IT
Lamathut 24/7 Crisis Line.
IRSSS operates a 24-hour crisis line to provide urgent emotional support for Survivors, families, and Indigenous communities across British Columbia and beyond. Our crisis line remains open during office closures and holidays, ensuring help is always available. Survivors can also access support through this line as part of the National Action Plan to End Gender-Based Violence.
HONOURING TRADITION, STRENGTHENING HEALING
Cultural Support Program.
IRSSS Cultural Support Providers (CSPs) and Elders offer spiritual guidance, traditional teachings, and healing support across BC. Many are Survivors of Indian Residential Schools, Indian Day Schools, or were Indian Day Scholars, sharing their experiences to foster healing and awareness.
Services include smudging, cedar brushing, eagle fan ceremonies, traditional medicines, language translation, teachings on traditions and protocols, healing circles, holistic wellness plans, sweat lodges, arts and crafts, and cultural guidance for ceremonies and events.
CULTURALLY SUPPORTIVE SPACES
2SLGBTQIA+ Support Program.
IRSSS offers culturally grounded emotional and crisis counseling for Indigenous 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals. Our services provide a safe, supportive space to address the unique challenges faced by the community, fostering healing and resilience through empathetic, culturally sensitive care.
STANDING WITH FAMILIES, HONOURING LOVED ONES
MMIWG Support Program.
The crisis of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two-Spirit People (MMIWG2S) continues to impact First Nations communities across Canada. IRSSS supports families when a loved one goes missing, assisting with filing reports, sharing notices, and accessing resources. We offer grief counselling, healing workshops, and emotional support for those coping with loss. To promote safety and awareness, we also provide youth-focused safety workshops in schools and communities.
SUPPORTING EMOTIONAL WELLNESS THROUGH CLASS ACTION CLAIMS
Child Family Trauma Informed Health & Cultural Support.
IRSSS is now offering emotional, cultural, and trauma-informed support through the new Child Family Trauma Informed Health & Cultural Support Program. This government-funded program is available to First Nations Child Family Services & Jordans Principle Class Action claimants, as well as individuals navigating other First Nations class action settlements, who may be experiencing emotional distress during the claims process. We are here to walk alongside you with care and cultural safety, however we cannot assist with settlement applications.
HONOURING HEALING JOURNEYS
IRSSS Counselling Services.
Our counselling team offers emotional, mental, and spiritual support through culturally-based values that prioritize safety, respect, trust, empowerment, and self-care. We are committed to helping people and communities heal, guided by traditions, ceremony, cultural teachings, and professional competency. We believe those we support are the experts of their own lives, and we honour their unique journey to healing.
To request counselling services, please complete our online request form. Please note that we are currently not offering in-person appointments.
GUIDANCE, ADVOCACY, AND HEALING
Indian Day Schools Support Program.
IRSSS supports former students, families, and communities impacted by Indian Day Schools and Indian Day Scholars. Our coordinators across British Columbia assist with settlement applications, including the Federal Indian Day Schools Class Action Settlement and the Indian Residential Schools Day Scholars Settlement. First Nations communities and organizations can request on-site assistance for applications and responses to settlement letters. Emotional and cultural support is available during all application assistance events.
LAMATHUT CRISIS LINE 24/7 SUPPORT: 1 (800) 721-0066