Mental Wellness (Brighter Futures)

Part of IRC Health & Wellness Division’s long-term initiatives, the Brighter Futures program was developed cooperatively by Health Canada with First Nations and Inuit communities to improve the physical, mental and social wellbeing of Indigenous children, their families and communities.


It is based upon the following principles:

  • To strengthen and support the child, family and community 
  • To be community-based 
  • To be community-paced 
  • To provide a complete range of care so that communities can create programs from health promotion to prevention and treatment to aftercare 
  • To coordinate and link all activities so Brighter Futures programs can be linked to existing programs in the community. 

In the Inuvialuit Settlement Region, applications and guidelines for Brighter Futures are available through the Community Corporations.