Utoo Radio - April 9, 2024 - The First Nations Health Authority (FNHA) has changed eligibility for counselling services for residential school survivors who do not have Indian status.

Effective immediately, only Indigenous people who have registered First Nation status will be eligible to register for counselling services.

Co-founder Olivia Palomino, co-founder of Metro Vancouver Indigenous Counselling, is concerned that non-status Indigenous people will be left behind. Palomino believes that this change perpetuates the stereotype that there are deserving and undeserving Indigenous people, as some individuals accessing services are disconnected from their families and do not have status for various reasons.

The process of self-declaring as a residential school survivor or a family member of a survivor became "unsustainable."

The FNHA CEO Richard Jock said that First Nations people will receive no reduction in service or lack of access. Coverage is available for current counselling clients until April 30, and Métis membership does not count as status. Palomino worries that counselling clients have been given short notice to find alternative means of care, and that the change will impact about 1,500 people.

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Support is available for anyone affected by their experience at residential schools or by the latest reports.

A national Indian Residential School Crisis Line has been set up to provide support for survivors and those affected. People can access emotional and crisis referral services by calling the 24-hour national crisis line: 1-866-925-4419.

Mental health counselling and crisis support is also available 24 hours a day, seven days a week through the Hope for Wellness hotline at 1-855-242-3310 or by online chat at www.hopeforwellness.ca.