Non-status residential school survivors no longer qualify for free counselling: health authority

Care providers are worried about the future of mental health care for residential school survivors who don't have Indian status following a change in eligibility for counselling services funded by the First Nations Health Authority (FNHA).

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

Olivia Palomino, co-founder of Metro Vancouver Indigenous Counselling, said that while a change was expected, she is concerned that non-status Indigenous people will be left behind. 

"By stating that they will only work with status individuals they are perpetuating the stereotype that there are deserving and undeserving Indigenous people," she said. 

"The truth is some individuals accessing services are disconnected from their families and do not have status for a huge range of reasons directly related to racist government policies, intergenerational disconnect and lack of resources to support them."

A person can register for status depending on their degree of Indigenous descent and whether their parents or grandparents are registered or entitled to be registered. People who qualify can register online, by mail or in person at an Indigenous Services Canada office, and applications should include a proof of birth document with parental information, valid identification, and photos for the card, should there be a request for a physical card. 

According to Indigenous Services Canada, it can take anywhere from six months to two years to be registered — and another eight to 12 weeks to receive a status card. 

FNHA CEO Richard Jock, who is a member of the Mohawks of Akwesasne, said a large number of people have been accessing services and that the previous process of self-declaring as a residential school survivor or a family member of a survivor became "unsustainable."

"We've seen our counselling services under residential schools, I would say, grow dramatically over the last two years," Jock said.

For those who can't access FNHA funded services, Jock said there are other avenues available, including healing lodges, friendship centres and other culturally appropriate supports. 

"First Nations people will receive no reduction in service or lack of access," Jock said.

The FNHA says coverage is available for any current counselling clients until April 30. Anyone who wasn't previously accessing those services cannot register to receive counselling before the end of the month.  

Métis membership does not count as status, the authority said. 

Palomino worries that counselling clients have been given short notice to find alternative means of care.