School of Nursing News

The School of Nursing extends our deepest sympathy to and stands in solidarity with Indigenous faculty, staff and students at Dalhousie and with Indigenous Peoples across Canada with the dreadful news that the graves of 215 children have been found at the site of the Kamloops Indian Residential School in the Tk’emlups te Secwepemc First Nation.

We recognize this news can be retraumatizing and as nurses we want to advocate for support in whatever ways are needed.

We also encourage anyone affected by this news to reach out to the university for available resources and supports. 

• The Elders in Residence program is available to students across campus, The Elders are committed to being available to students for guidance, counsel and support. 
• The Indigenous Student Centre helps create a sense of belonging to support student success while at Dalhousie. Our Indigenous Student Advisor provides support and advocacy for all of Dalhousie’s Indigenous students. 
• Dalhousie’s Human Rights and Equity Services provides confidential advice and support if a member of our community has faced race-based harassment and/or discrimination. 
• Students who require immediate support should contact Student Health and Wellness by phone to book an appointment: 902-494-2171 (Halifax); 902-893-6369 (Truro). Additional e-mental health options for students are available, including Good2Talk – free and confidential counselling for post-secondary students (dal.ca/good2talk); Ask a Nurse – confidential answers to your health questions within 72 hrs; and TAO – an online mental health library. 
• Faculty and staff resources are available through our Employee Family Assistance Program, which can be accessed at workhealthlife.com or at login.lifeworks.com. Please also visit our remote working site for employees for additional mental health resources.

A National Residential School Crisis Line has been set up to provide support for former students and those affected. Access emotional and crisis referral services by calling the 24-hour national crisis line: 1-866 925-4419.

https://cna-aiic.ca/en/news-room/news-releases/2021/cna-statement-on-the-discovery-of-the-graves-of-215-children-in-british-columbia