'They need support today': Sask. therapist says many survivors struggling after residential school revelations
On a day when many across Canada were shocked by the announcement of the discovery of hundreds of unmarked graves at a former residential school site in Saskatchewan, an expert specializing in Indigenous mental health says it's critical to think of those hit hardest by the news and make sure they get the support they need.
The revelation concerning the graves came during a virtual news conference Thursday morning.
Before announcing that 751 unmarked graved had been found in his community, Cowessess First Nation Chief Cadmus Delorme shared the phone numbers for crisis lines to help people who may be deeply affected by the news — particularly those who have some connection to the residential school experience.
Shana Cardinal says that step is essential, especially as the news comes on the heels of the discovery of 215 unmarked graves at a residential school in Kamloops in May.
Cardinal is a mental health therapist and registered social worker based in Regina who specializes in helping Indigenous clients.
Cardinal said she's seen an increase in calls since the discovery in Kamloops last month.
"It is bringing up past trauma for a lot of our residential school survivors and 60s scoop, or day school survivors," Cardinal said.
Shana Cardinal is a mental health therapist based in Regina. (Courtesy Shana Cardinal)Shana Cardinal
Cardinal said she has already started receiving calls related to Thursday's news.
"There are some people struggling and they need support today," she said.
"As an Indigenous person, the first news from Kamloops with the 215 bodies discovered was shocking to not only Canada, Saskatchewan, B.C., but really nationally and globally. And now it's hitting closer to home," Cardinal said.
ELDERS NEED SUPPORT
While often seen as a source of strength in Indigenous communities, Cardinal said elders, many of whom endured traumatic residential school experiences of their own, may need added support.
"We often look as Indigenous people to our elders, but I think our elders are also grieving and healing ... our healers need healing too," Cardinal said.
School-aged kids, many of whom are now learning more about the suffering caused by residential schools as a result of these discoveries, may also find themselves affected.
"I feel like it's our responsibility as adults to educate the young ones and it's been a rough time for a lot of people and we have to make safe spaces for people to talk about it," Cardinal said.
If anyone struggling because of the news, or knows some who is, Cardinal said it's important to access the resources that are available to help
"(Make sure they call) those 1-800 numbers, other therapists are available and willing to talk," Cardinal said.
"We have to be aware of what they're going through. We have to be supportive of one another."
If you are a residential school survivor in distress, or have been affected by the residential school system and need help, you can contact the 24-hour Indian Residential Schools Crisis Line: 1-866-925-4419
Regina/Treaty Status Indian Services is also openoing a crisis line Thursday afternoon that can be reached by dialing 306-522-7494
Additional mental-health support and resources for Indigenous people are available here.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Several flight attendants from Pakistan have gone missing after landing in Canada
Multiple flight attendants from Pakistan International Airlines have abandoned their jobs and are believed to have sought asylum in Canada in the past year and a half, a spokesperson for the government-owned airline says.
BREAKING Ottawa public school board, 3 Toronto-area school boards launch lawsuit against social media giants
The Ottawa-Carleton District School Board and three school boards in the Toronto-area have launched legal action against social media giants, accusing them of "disrupting students' fundamental right to education."
Doctors visiting a Gaza hospital are stunned by the war's toll on Palestinian children
An international team of doctors visiting a hospital in central Gaza was prepared for the worst. But the gruesome impact Israel’s war against Hamas is having on Palestinian children still left them stunned.
Crypt near Marilyn Monroe and Hugh Hefner could fetch US$400,000 at auction
A one-space mausoleum crypt in the vicinity of Marilyn Monroe and Hugh Hefner will go on auction Saturday, when it is expected to reach between US$200,000 and $400,000.
Tipping is off the table at this Toronto restaurant
A Toronto restaurant introduced a surprising new rule that reduced the cost of a meal and raised the salaries of staff.
A fight to protect the dignity of Michelangelo's David raises questions about freedom of expression
Michelangelo's David has been a towering figure in Italian culture since its completion in 1504. But in the current era of the quick buck, curators worry the marble statue's religious and political significance is being diminished.
A Nigerian woman reviewed some tomato puree online. Now she faces jail
A Nigerian woman who wrote an online review of a can of tomato puree is facing imprisonment after its manufacturer accused her of making a “malicious allegation” that damaged its business.
Premiers not being truthful about carbon tax, Trudeau says while sparks fly in Ottawa
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says Conservative premiers across the country are 'not telling the truth' when it comes to the carbon tax. Trudeau's comments came as fresh sparks were flying in Ottawa at a recalled House of Commons committee.
Far North police 'dispatch' polar bear stalking schoolyard
Police and local hunters in an Ontario Far North First Nation community have “dispatched” a polar that was showing abnormal behaviour and treating the area as a hunting ground.