Indigenous centres step up support in wake of discovery of children's remains

WARNING: This story contains distressing details.

As coverage of the discovery of the remains of 215 childrenat a former residential school in B.C. continues, Indigenous agencies in Ottawa are supporting people here who are grappling with the trauma.

"Lots of heavy hearts, lots of prayers and ceremony and smudging to keep the individual grounded," said Mary Daoust, executive director ofMinwaashin Lodge. "Many people are actually in the moment walking thisjourney with those little 215 spirits that have just been freed."

• Survivors, families remember lives lost as children's remains found in Kamloops
• Days after children's remains reported, Trudeau says more help coming for residential school survivors

Minwaashin Lodge, located in Ottawa's Overbrook neighbourhood, has long offered counselling and a crisis line for women, children and families who are survivors of domestic violence. Many are also living with theimpact of Canada's residential school system.

They don't have to tell their life story to get the support that they need.- Mary Daoust, Minwaashin Lodge

Daoust said since news first emerged of the graveson the grounds of the former Kamloops Indian Residential School, both clients and the lodge's own staff have been seeking additional support. She said many found it difficult to deal withimages of a memorial around the Centennial Flame on Parliament Hill honouringthe 215 children.

"Seeing all the little baby shoes around the fire, your heart breaks because you can feel the energy of that loss and that trauma," said Daoust. "That is where these feelings come bubbling up to the surface."

Ellen Mack, a survivor of St. Anne's Indian Residential School in Fort Albany, Ont., attended a noon-hour drumming circle Tuesday at the Centennial Flame.

"I couldn't come right away because I was too afraid I might start crying," she said. "Ididn't sleep last night. I got a flashback and everything came back to me.I thought I was trying to get rid of it, but now I've gota shaking feeling just from talking about it."

For Daoust, Mack's struggle with her own trauma highlights the need for support services tailored toFirst Nations, Inuit and Mtisresidents.

"They don't have to tell their life story to get the support that they need," she said. "There's a genuine understanding and acknowledgement that comes from Indigenous organizations working with Indigenous people.We get it."

In addition to Minwaashin Lodge, Ottawa's Wabano Centre has also reached out to Indigenous people to offer support through its 24/7 crisis line and other programs, tweeting: "We know this was not an isolated incident, and this news is deeply hurtful and disturbing to community members."

Supports available

Support is available for anyone affected by the lingering effects of residential schools and anyone triggered by the latest reports:

• TheIndian Residential School Survivors Society, whichcan be contacted toll-freeat1-800-721-0066.
• A national Indian Residential School Crisis Lineset up to provide support for formerstudents and anyone affected. You can access emotional and crisis referral services by calling the 24-hour national crisis line: 1-866-925-4419.