The Fire Remembers Us: Reclaiming Identity, Spirit and Belonging
Our commitment to provide programming to survivors is vital.
IAC is Founded by a Sixties Scoop Survivor
Pictured: IAC's children's art exhibit at 1st National Day of Truth and Reconciliation on Parliament Hill, September 30, 2021 & 2022. IAC was the first organization to bring Indigenous survivors and communities together in this national awareness event.
IAC is Founded And Inspired By Survivors
The Indigenous Arts Collective is an entirely Indigenous-led national registered charity that is grounded in cultural revitalization, healing, and restoration of Indigenous ways of being.
15 years ago, the IAC was founded by a Sixties Scoop survivor (born 1971 and claimant of lawsuit settlement) with the mission of reconnecting displaced survivors to traditional ways of being and creating. It was her lived experience both on and off her reservation of Akwesasne that awakened her to the importance of identity reclamation and healing through the arts, her community and her spiritual guides.
IAC is trusted by Indigenous Artists
Sixties (60's) Scoop
Over 25,000 First Nations, Inuit, and Métis children were apprehended and permanently displaced through child welfare systems (Children's Aid Society, AIM (Adopt and Indian/Métis) during what has become known as the "Sixties Scoop". This number is likely much higher because records of the infants and children were destroyed/edited and incomplete. Many children who are now adults still do not know their true identity. It is likely that the numbers equal those of Indian residential schools solely because it was more a easily hidden activity taking place in hospitals (Indian wards) at the time of birth.
The practice of forcedly (or coercively) removing infants and small children from their mothers and placing them in foster care was a program that aligned with the Indian residential schools. The program could increase the number of children captured as it included new born infants from hospitals and not just school-aged children. This elevated the number of Indian children who would be appropriated into mainstream white culture thus decreasing the population of the Indian race in north america (cultural genocide).
Although the name 'Sixties Scoop' references the 1960s, these removals continued into the 1980s and even today Indigenous children are over-represented in the child welfare system.
Survivors report their engagement with other adult survivors gatherings have told their stories of being purchased for child labour (farm and domestic workers), being removed at birth in hospitals, being adopted, entire childhoods moving from foster home to foster home, severe abuse, childhood abandonment and homelessness. In adulthood most face lifelong battles with identity resulting in substance abuse and disturbingly high suicide rates.
Indian Residential Schools
Residential schools in Canada were a government-sponsored, church-run network of boarding schools for Indigenous children (First Nations, Inuit, and Métis) operated from the 1880s to the late 1990s.
Designed to forcibly assimilate Indigenous children, these schools separated over 150,000 children from their families and culture, with many suffering abuse, neglect, and death, which the Truth and Reconciliation Commission termed "cultural genocide".
Schools were often overcrowded and underfunded, leading to poor health conditions, diseases (such as tuberculosis), starvation, and rampant physical, emotional, and sexual abuse.
The Indian Act was amended in 1920 to make attendance mandatory for Indigenous children aged 7–15.
As of 2026, searches using Ground-Penetrating Radar (GPR) and archival research have identified over 2,300 potential or suspected unmarked graves across dozens of former school properties.
The National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation (NCTR) has officially documented the names or existences of over 4,100 children who died while attending these schools. However, Canada's Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) noted that due to poor, destroyed, or unkept school records, the true number of children who died from disease, malnutrition, abuse, or neglect is likely far higher, with some officials estimating it to be well beyond 10,000.
Forced Sterilization
Coerced sterilization refers to the practice of sterilizing Indigenous women without free and informed consent. Based on eugenics beliefs and policies, Sexual Sterilization Acts were passed in Alberta (1928 to 1972) and British Columbia (1933 to 1973) and were not repealed until the 1970s. Under the Acts, a board of eugenics could order sterilization of institutionalized patients who “if discharged without being subjected to an operation for sexual sterilization would be likely to beget or bear children who by reason of inheritance would have a tendency to serious mental disease or mental deficiency."
Between 1966 and 1976, it is estimated that more than 1200 sterilizations (approximately 1150 Indigenous women, and 50 remaining men or of undocumented sex) were sterilized. From 1966 to 1976, more than 70 sterilizations were also performed on women in Nunavut. This information was collected here.
As of April 2019, over 100 Indigenous women from across Canada have come forward to say that they were forced or coerced to undergo a sterilization procedure. Of these women, most had not been offered other forms of birth control and were only given inadequate information about sterilization. Some of these women recall feeling pressured, if not threatened, by health care providers to consent to a sterilization procedure — without fully understanding the procedure’s risks or permanency. In some cases, sterilization procedures were conducted despite the women expressly refusing to provide consent and/or sign a consent form. More here.
The Survivors Circle for Reproductive Justice is a national Indigenous organization created to centre the lived experiences and priorities of Indigenous women, men and 2SLGBTQQIA+ who have experienced reproductive and obstetric violence, including forced/ coerced sterilization. Our mandate is to provide supports to Survivors and to advocate for reproductive justice for all First Nations, Inuit, and Métis across the provinces and territories.
Our Programs and Support
The IAC prioritizes Indigenous survivors of Indian residential schools, infant/small child apprehension (Sixties Scoop, AIM) and forced sterilization victims.
The IAC functions on ancestral waterways. The matrilineal lines are the pathways on which we become who we are and this is directly rooted in the ways of our grandmothers. In this knowledge we know that both the joy and the trauma of our ancestors are passed to us genetically.
We are made from trillions of cells and each one is a cumulative gift from multiple generations of grandparents and if you lean into the western scientific perspective, the study of epigenetics is how the experiences of your ancestors are passed down and profoundly influence how we walk through this world.
Haudenosaunee concept of matrilineality considers that the new information is merged into our biological framework and takes a journey inside of us where it meets memories and knowledge from the cells that we’ve received directly from ancestors.
When you harm a mother, you harm every child and grandchild that will ever emerge from her precious cells. This is why we heal every day - so that with each generation there is less healing to be done.
The IAC facilitates an annual gathering for survivors of the Sixties Scoop and no matter how small it may be, the comfort of the survivor family is monumental.
The IAC facilitated the 1st and 2nd National Day of Truth and Reconciliation on Parliament Hill.
IAC founder puts Eagles through ceremony and visits with survivors - her gift to them is a single feather.
Do You Need Help?
If you hold an Indian Status Card, you are the recipient of Non-Insured Health Benefits (NIHB) program and have coverage for a range of medically necessary health benefits including counselling services.
To find a provider near you that accepts NIHB insurance, visit this link to Psychology Today and type in your location.
and type in your location. The results will link you to local resources.
If you do not have a status card, you can apply.
For more information, click this link: Status Indians in Canada
If you are experiencing a mental health crisis please refer to: Hope for Wellness https://www.hopeforwellness.ca/ or call 1 855 242 3310
Alberta
Bent Arrow Traditional Healing Society (Edmonton) – Programs and services range from youth employment/social and comprehensive family services to supported referrals and soup and bannock lunches.
1-780-481-3451
Facebook
Native Counselling Services of Alberta – Native Counselling Services of Alberta’s mission is to promote the resilience of the Indigenous individual and family, through programs and services that are grounded in reclaiming our interconnectedness, reconciliation of relationships, and self-determination.
Open Alberta Guide to Indigenous Services – Comprehensive list of all services in Alberta. Includes specific contacts for each nation, educational, business, and community services.
British Columbia
KUU-US Crisis Line Society – Provides a First Nations and Indigenous-specific crisis line available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, toll-free from anywhere in British Columbia. The KUU-US Crisis Line Society also provides a number of local services in the Port Alberni area including the Survivor of Suicide Peer Support Group, Housing Registry, and the A.H.O.P.E Program.
1-800-588-8717 (toll-free)
Youth Line: 250-723-2040
Adult Line: 250-723-4050
Native Youth Crisis Hotline – Answered by staff 24/7. Available throughout Canada and US.
1-877-209-1266
Métis Crisis Line – A service of Métis Nation British Columbia.
1-833-MétisBC (1-833-638-4722)
Greater Vancouver Native Cultural Society Two Spirit Group – A Two-Spirit support group on Facebook supported by the Vancouver Native Cultural Society.
Manitoba
Natawiwewak Medical Clinic – Serves Winnipeg residents from Bunibonibee, Chemawawin, God’s Lake, and Manto Sipi. Connect with the Mental Wellness Team.
204-417-8877
Keewatin Tribal Council – serves Barren Lands, Bunibonibee, Fox Lake, God’s Lake, Manto Sipi, Northlands, Sayisi Dene, Shamattawa, Tataskweyak, War Lake, and York Factory.
Crisis On-Call: 204-307-1905 or 204-307-0118
KTC Mental Wellness Team: 204-677-7410
Opaskwayak Health Authority (OHA) – The Mental Wellness Team consists of five counselors, including OHA counselors who are available via telephone to provide follow-up care with clients, and Opioid Replacement Therapy physician clinics who are available via Telehealth on the regularly scheduled dates.
204-627-7410
Crisis Line after hours: 204-623-0519
Additional Indigenous-Centered Healing Supports
New Brunswick
Pabineau First Nation – Mi’kmaq – mental health clinicians are available 3 days a week.
506-547-4204
Facebook
Ugpi’Ganjig – Eel River Bar First Nation
506-684-5002
Madawaska Maliseet First Nation
506-739-9765
Under One Sky Friendship Centre
506-458-9269
Newfoundland and Labrador
Shanawdithit, St. John’s Native Friendship Centre
709-726-5902
Sheshatshiu Innu First Nation (Social Health Department) – The Social Health Department is essentially responsible for the Mental Health and Addictions programming and service delivery, this includes referrals and counseling.
709-497-8522
social_health@sheshatshiu.ca
Nova Scotia
Eskasoni Mental Health Services/Crisis and Referral Center Main Office – Eskasoni Mental Health Services (EMHS) provides a wide range of services to the Mi’kmaq people of Eskasoni, Cape Breton, Nova Scotia. The Tui’kn Residential School Survivor Team provides services to all 5 Unama’ki (Cape Breton) communities.
Crisis: 1-855-379-2099 (Toll-Free)
Main Phone: 902-379-2099
Native Council of Nova Scotia (Native Social Counselling Agency) – Assists off-reserve Indigenous clients facing social problems and conditions, with confidential support referral services.
1-902-895-1738
Union of Nova Scotia Mi’kmaq (Mental Wellness Team) – Provides case management and service navigation for First Nations persons of all ages seeking mental wellness services.
902-539-4107
Alsusuti Aboriginal Crisis & Counselling Services – (M-F 8:30 am – 4:30 pm) Offers mental health support and counseling services to aboriginals by aboriginals.
(844) 694-1382
Ontario
Talk4Healing – A culturally grounded, fully confidential helpline for Indigenous women available in 14 languages all across Ontario.
1-855-554-HEAL
Wabano Centre for Aboriginal Health – Crisis support available by appointment or walk-in for crisis support, 5 days per week.
613-748-0657
Enaahtig Healing Lodge and Learning Centre
705-534-3724
Fort Frances Tribal Area Health Services
807-271-0194
Native Child and Family Services Toronto
416-969-8510
You may also want to try this list from the Government of Ontario
Prince Edward Island
Mi’kmaq Confederacy of PEI –The Health program manages a wide range of programs and services designed to support the health and wellbeing of Lennox Island and Abegweit First Nation members living on-reserve, including Health Policy; Jordan’s Principle program; Indian Residential School program; and Health Promotion.
Director of Health, Roseanne Sark at rsark@mcpei.ca or 902-438-2117
Quebec
Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg Health Center
819-449-5593/4
Native Friendship Center of Montreal – The Native Friendship Centre of Montreal Inc. (NFCM) is collaborating with Indigenous Services Canada to continue providing emotional and cultural support services to former Indian Residential School (IRS) students and their families before, during, and after participation in Settlement Agreement (SA) processes, including Common Experience Payments (CEP) and the Independent Assessment Process (IAP), as well as those who participated in Truth and Reconciliation Commission events and Commemoration activities.
Emotional Support workers or Cultural Support Provider (traditional healer) – (514) 499-1854
Saskatchewan
Native Health Services (Native Health Centres at the Pasqua and Regina General Hospitals) – Responds to clients with an awareness of cultural and spiritual diversity, and is able to provide an alternative for clients seeking traditional First Nations and Métis approaches to health care.
Regina General Hospital: 306-766-4155
Pasqua Hospital: 306-766-2232
Saskatoon Indian and Métis Friendship Centre (SIMFC) –Supports First Nations, Métis and Inuit cultural distinctiveness by providing community development services that holistically support all ages.
306-244-0174
The Circle Project – Lifestyles and Counselling Program
306-347-7515
Facebook
Central Urban Métis Federation Inc. (CUMFI) – Grief and loss counseling.
306-975-9999
Yukon
The Shadhäla Äshèyi yè Kwädän (Champagne and Aishihik First Nations or CAFN), DÄN TSʼÄN NÄNNJI (Community Wellness Department) – A self-governing First Nation located in the Yukon Territory and northwest British Columbia, Canada. CAFN provides weekend on-call support from 5:00 pm on Friday – 8:30 pm on Monday.
Emergency Line: 867-333-4477
Not Specific to Provincial Location
Indian Residential School Crisis Line – A national service for anyone experiencing pain or distress as a result of their residential school experience.
1-866-925-4419 (Toll-free)
First Nations and Inuit Hope for Wellness Help Line – The Hope for Wellness Help Line offers immediate mental health counseling and crisis intervention to all Indigenous peoples across Canada. Service is available in Cree, Ojibway, Inuktitut, English and French. Callers may ask about the availability of services in the language of their choice. (24 hours a day, 7 days a week)
1-855-242-3310
Healing in Color – A directory of therapy and support services to support the healing and liberation for BIPOC.
Indian Residential School Survivors Society (IRSSS)
1-800-721-0066 (toll-free)
National Day Truth & Reconciliation, Parliament Hill, 2021 & 2022
Sixties Scoop Gatherings - Some of Our Family
