Support — awâsisak

The material catalogued on this site includes residential schools, the Sixties Scoop, MMIWG, intergenerational trauma, and other histories of state violence against Indigenous peoples.

If reading, watching, or listening to this material has brought up difficult feelings — for yourself or for someone you love — you are not alone, and support is available right now.

You do not need to be in crisis to call any of these lines. You can call to talk. You can call because you are tired. You can call because the material is heavy.

National crisis lines — 24 hours

Indian Residential Schools Crisis Line

1-866-925-4419

For former students of Indian Residential Schools and their families. 24 hours, every day. Free. Cultural and emotional support.

Hope for Wellness Helpline

1-855-242-3310

Online chat: hopeforwellness.ca. For all Indigenous peoples in Canada. 24 hours, every day. Available in English, French, Cree, Ojibway, and Inuktitut on request. Indigenous counsellors.

MMIWG Crisis Line

1-844-413-6649

For anyone affected by the issue of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people. 24 hours, every day. Free.

9-8-8: Suicide Crisis Helpline

9-8-8

Canada's national three-digit suicide crisis line. 24 hours, every day. Call or text.

Kids Help Phone

1-800-668-6868

Text CONNECT to 686868. For young people. 24 hours, every day.

Elder and cultural support

Many of the crisis lines above will, on request, connect you with an Indigenous Elder or counsellor. You can ask for one when you call.

Friendship Centres

Most Canadian cities have an Indigenous Friendship Centre offering counselling, cultural programs, and community support, often regardless of status or registration.
nafc.ca

Indian Residential School Survivors Society

Supports survivors of residential schools and their families.
irsss.ca

Support for families of MMIWG

Native Women's Association of Canada

National advocacy and support.
nwac.ca

Pauktuutit Inuit Women of Canada

National Inuit women's organization, including MMIWG support.
pauktuutit.ca

Les Femmes Michif Otipemisiwak

Women of the Métis Nation.
metiswomen.org

A note on when to step away

Some of this material — residential school testimony, accounts of murdered women, descriptions of child apprehensions — is hard to take in. If you notice yourself becoming overwhelmed, distressed, unable to sleep, or returning to old patterns of coping that don't serve you, that is your body and spirit telling you to step away.

You can come back to the material later. The work is not going anywhere.

Step outside. Call someone. Eat something. Sleep. The material will still be here when you are ready.

If you are not Indigenous

If you are not Indigenous and you are finding this material difficult, that is appropriate. It is supposed to be difficult.

Please do not call the Indigenous-specific crisis lines listed above — those are for Indigenous peoples. 9-8-8 or your regular GP or counsellor are appropriate options.

Sit with the discomfort. Then keep reading.

Emergency

If you or someone you love is in immediate danger, call 9-1-1.