Aboriginal Healing Foundation

Tuesday afternoon senior ITK staff made a presentation to the House of Commons Standing Committee on Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development about the important work of the Aboriginal Healing Foundation (AHF), whose funding came to an unfortunate but scheduled end on March 31.

When the AHF began in 1998, its main objective was to help break the multigenerational cycle of emotional, physical and sexual abuse that resulted from the residential school experience. Programs were designed to support holistic and community-based approaches to healing.

Across Inuit Nunangat, the AHF funded nearly three dozen community based healing programs.

One such program, called “Healing Together Using Our Traditional Values and Ceremonies,” provided resources to 14 Nunavik communities. The results of the program were significant, and a 2009 AHF evaluation report stated that many survivors “were looking for answers and solutions to trauma, helplessness and dysfunction – and the workshops have provided them with the tools necessary to address these issues.”

Inuit who have attended such workshops say they are now living healthier and happier lives.

Our overriding message to the committee was this: There is no replacement for Inuit-designed healing programs, operated by Inuit who speak the Inuit language. And if we are to make serious inroads in addressing the mental wellness needs of Inuit, then we need more of this type of sustainable community wellness programming.

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