SURVIVORS Society
(formerly the Provincial Residential School Project)
What is the Society?
The Indian Residential School SURVIVORS Society assists First Nations in B.C. to be empowered from the generational effects of residential schools. It is a First Nations and Aboriginal organization with an arms-length relationship to the First Nations Summit of B.C. Chiefs.
What does the Society do?
- supports survivors: crisis counselling, information, referrals
- assists communities to help survivors: build partnerships, training workshops
- raises awareness of residential school issues: contact with the media; conferences
- conducts research: history and effects of residential schools
- advocates for justice and healing: traditional and non-aboriginal forms
The Society was formed in 2002 but the original Project was started in 1995 to support survivors who made disclosures within the criminal justice system. It has supported many First Nations and continues to provide support in healing and for those undertaking civil and criminal actions.
If you went to residential school you have several options:
1. Healing - counselling, traditional healing
2. Criminal investigation - charge your offender if he/she is still alive
3. Civil case - sue for compensation
4. Helping - advocate for healing, encourage others to heal
5. Waiting - take action only when the time is right for you
For Survivors:
The Society 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 Survivor Support worker. We can tell you where to start researching, how to start a criminal case, give you information on civil cases and 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 staff 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 individual
and family, suicide prevention, sexual abuse response, the justice system
(civil and criminal). We can also give referrals and suggestions on how
to best meet your clients' needs.
Indian Residential School SURVIVORS Society
(formerly the Provincial Residential School Project)
911-100 Park Royal South
West Vancouver, V7T 1A2
Business Line: (604) 925-4464
Fax: (604) 925-0020
Toll Free Survivor's Line: 1-800-721-0066
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