A joint statement from the First Nations Health Authority is condemning the recent distribution of a controversial book and its impact on the mental wellbeing of the Indigenous community.
The statement was from Julie Morrison, the vice-president of the FNHA’s Northern Region, and Lisa Montgomery the vice-president for the Interior Region.
“Racism in health care, and all facets of life, continues to be a daily lived experience for many Indigenous peoples in B.C. and around the country. The FNHA is aware of and saddened by the situation in Quesnel, and applauds the City of Quesnel for its resolution to denounce the book titled Grave Error - How The Media Misled Us (And The Truth About Residential Schools), and officially state the City of Quesnel’s formal acceptance of the findings of the Truth And Reconciliation Commission.”
“Truth is vital in the provincial and nationwide effort to achieve meaningful reconciliation, and harmful discourse like the contents of the book in question can delay progress and re-traumatize survivors of Indian Residential Schools and their families.”
The FNHA went on to remind all community members that the following services are available:
• The Hope for Wellness Help Line offers immediate mental health counselling and crisis intervention by phone or online chat. Call toll-free 1-855-242-3310 or start a confidential chat with a counsellor at hopeforwellness.ca.
• The Indian Residential School Crisis Line is a national service for anyone experiencing pain or distress as a result of their residential school experience. Call toll-free 1-866-925-4419.
• The Kuu-Us Crisis Line Society provides crisis services for Indigenous people across B.C. Adults/Elders line 250-723-4050; youth line 250-723-2040; or call toll free 1-800-588-8717. Learn more at www.kuu-uscrisisline.com.
• The Métis Crisis Line is a service of Métis Nation British Columbia. Call 1-833-MétisBC (1-833-638-4722).
To learn more about FNHA’s mental health and wellness supports, please visit: fnha.ca/what-we-do/mental-wellness-and-substance-use/mental-health-and-wellness-supports.