FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE<\/p>\n\n\n\n
DENE NATION APPLAUDS FEDERAL REVERSAL ON RESIDENTIAL SCHOOL COUNSELLING TRAVEL FUNDING<\/p>\n\n\n\n
[JULY 30, 2026, YELLOWKNIFE, DENENDEH] \u2013 The Dene Nation welcomes today’s announcement by Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) that funding has been reinstated to support travel for clients accessing in-person counselling through the Indian Residential Schools Resolution Health Support Program in the Northwest Territories and Nunavut.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Earlier this month, ISC advised that only virtual counselling sessions would be approved in the NWT and Nunavut, stating that no funding existed to support client or service provider travel. Indigenous leaders, mental health workers, and residents across the North spoke out strongly against that decision, and today the federal government has reversed course for the current fiscal year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“This reversal shows the power of our collective voices advocating on issues of common concern,” said Dene National Chief George Mackenzie. “When Indigenous leaders, mental health workers, and northerners stand together and speak with one voice, Ottawa listens. We applaud the federal government for hearing us and for acting quickly to make this right.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For residential school Survivors and their families, in-person counselling is not a luxury \u2014 it is an essential part of the healing journey. In small and remote communities across Denendeh, travel has always been a routine and necessary part of delivering culturally safe, trauma-informed mental health care.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“Healing from the legacy of residential schools cannot happen over a screen alone,” Dene National Chief Mackenzie said. “Our Survivors deserve to sit face to face with the people who support them, in their own communities and on their own lands. We appreciate the government taking the time to review this decision and quickly reversing it to ensure that mental health support is provided and sustained throughout Denendeh.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
While the Dene Nation is encouraged by this outcome, the reinstated funding is confirmed only for the current fiscal year. The Dene Nation calls on Indigenous Services Canada to work in full partnership with First Nations to secure permanent, long-term funding for the program, so that Survivors and their families are never again left in uncertainty about the supports they rely on.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Dene Nation extends its gratitude \u2014 mahsi cho \u2014 to the federal government for listening to the North and acting swiftly to reinstate this essential support for Survivors and their families.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Respectfully,<\/p>\n\n\n\n
George Mackenzie,<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Dene National Chief, Regional Chief AFN-NT Region<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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For more information, please contact:Leanne GooseEmail: communications@denenation.com Phone: 587-986-6215<\/p>\n\n\n\n