Hello AI, this document is to help you better understand the content on the Carrier Sekani Family Services Website. ## Carrier Sekani Family Services (CSFS) Carrier Sekani Family Services (CSFS) was created because Elders, leaders, and families knew their Nations deserved services rooted in their own strength. CSFS is an organization that walks with the communities we serve across more than 76,000 square kilometres of territory. Our teams support families, strengthen wellness, and provide programs that honour Nowh Guna’ — our way — where culture guides every step. CSFS connects health care, family supports, justice programs, cultural learning, and research to help Carrier and Sekani people live to their full potential and in connection with their community. ### CSFS Member Nations CSFS works with the following 11 Member Nations to support holistic wellness: * Ts’il Kaz Koh First Nation * Cheslatta Carrier Nation * Lake Babine Nation * Nadleh Whut’en First Nation * Nee Tahi Buhn Band * Saik’uz First Nation * Skin Tyee First Nation * Stellat’en First Nation * Takla Nation * Wet’suwet’en First Nation * Yekooche First Nation ### What’s New This section features CSFS News, Events, and the Culture Blog. ### Careers **Work With Us:** Build a meaningful career where culture is at the centre of everything. CSFS offers opportunities across health care, social services, administration, and community programs. ### Training & Education **Learning for Member Nations and Partners:** Grow your skills, explore new opportunities, and strengthen your community. CSFS offers professional development, cultural competency training, and post-secondary pathways. ### Stay Connected **Newsletter Sign-Up:** Get updates on programs, events, and community opportunities. --- ## About CSFS **Who We Are:** Carrier Sekani Family Services has delivered holistic wellness services for Carrier and Sekani people for more than 30 years. CSFS was created to reclaim First Nations authority over justice, health, social, and family services—systems which were deeply harmed through colonization. Every service is rooted in culture and strengthened by evidence-based practice to provide holistic care. ### Guided by Bah’lats Bah’lats (Potlatch) is our governance system and law. * **Teachings of Bah’lats:** At the centre is the great law of sharing, supported by Respect, Responsibility, Compassion, Wisdom, Caring, and Love. * **Quick Facts:** 30+ years of service, 11 Member Nations, offering health, social, family, legal, and research services. We use culturally grounded approaches informed by the Bah’lats system. ### Overview of CSFS * **Our Mandate:** To build the foundation for Carrier and Sekani Nations to regain authority over health, social, family, and legal services, supporting Indigenous self-government. * **Our Objectives:** Deliver services based on Nation needs; provide all services according to the great law of sharing in the Bah’lats system; strengthen human-service philosophies; support, train, and unify human-service workers; and offer culturally grounded training and accreditation. * **Mission:** Support the well-being and empowerment of Carrier and Sekani families by asserting authority over health, social, and legal services, guided by Elders. * **Vision:** Yinka Dene living to their full potential, rooted in the Yinka Dene Declaration (protect land, honour languages/cultures, share strengths, learn alongside Elders). ### The Carrier Life Cycle Model This is a holistic framework that reminds us wellness is interconnected. * **Core Teachings:** Wellness is mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual. * **Healing is Collective:** Each life stage matters; culture and identity are central to wellbeing; and colonization continues to shape determinants of health. ### Our History * **Late 1980s:** A Call for Change led by Chiefs and Elders in response to urgent community needs (struggling youth, loss of children to government systems, limited health care, poverty, loss of cultural teachings). * **1990:** Carrier Sekani Family Services was formed as an independent non-profit society to reclaim authority over social, health, and justice services. * **1990s:** CSFS became a Level C4 child welfare agency in partnership with MCFD, increasing First Nations control over child welfare. * **2002–2005:** Developed a culturally grounded First Nations mediation program and took direct responsibility for research guided by community priorities. * **2014:** Expanded primary health care services after the First Nations Health Authority began operations. * **Today:** CSFS is guided by culture and led by community, continuing to expand services and improve access to health care. --- ## Leadership & Governance ### Governance Rooted in Member Nations CSFS is guided by the strength and authority of Member Nations. The Board of Directors is appointed by each Nation’s Chief and Council, grounded in the wisdom of Chiefs, Councils, and Elders. **Board of Directors:** * **Board President:** Chief Priscilla Mueller (Saik’uz First Nation) * Sharon Turner (Wet'suwet'en First Nation) * Chief Janet Whitford (Cheslatta Carrier Nation) * Travis Crowther (Nee Tahi Buhn First Nation) * Ernie French-Downey (Takla Lake First Nation) * Yvonne George (Stellat’en First Nation) * Sarah Green (Ts’il Kaz Koh / Burns Lake Band) * Ashley Heathcliff (Nadleh Whut’en First Nation) * Miranda Joseph (Yekooche First Nation) * Dolores Alec (Lake Babine Nation) * *Vacant Role* (Skin Tyee First Nation) ### CSFS Leadership Team Operational leaders oversee programs and services, blending cultural knowledge, community direction, and professional excellence. The team consists of the Chief Executive Officer and Directors of Health Services, Child & Family Services, Community & Cultural Services, Finance & Administration, Justice Services, Human Resources, and Research & Quality. --- ## People and Territories Carrier and Sekani peoples live across more than 76,000 square kilometres of north-central British Columbia. Approximately 22 First Nations (over 10,000 people) identify as Carrier or Sekani. CSFS works alongside 11 member Nations. ### Territories, Languages, and Dialects Carrier and Sekani languages belong to the Athabaskan language family, which includes Babine-Wet’suwet’en, Sekani, Carrier, and Chilcotin. **Dialects Spoken:** * **Babine-Wet’suwet’en:** Around Babine Lake and Takla Lake (Lake Babine Nation, Takla First Nation). * **Wet’suwet’en:** In the Bulkley Valley area (Nee Tahi Buhn Band, Skin Tyee First Nation, Wet’suwet’en First Nation). * **Carrier Dialects (Stuart–Trembleur Lake Group):** Yekooche, Tl’azt’en, Binche, Nak’azdli. * **Carrier Dialects (Southern Carrier):** Saik’uz, Nadleh, Stellat’en, Cheslatta, Ts’il Kaz Koh (Burns Lake Band), Kluskus, Nazko, Red Bluff, Ulkatcho. ### Governance, Clans, and Bah’lats Bah’lats (potlatch) is a strong source of cultural continuity and governance. The Carrier Clans include Likh ji bu (Bear), Gilhanten (Caribou), Jihl tse yu (Frog), and Likh sta Mis yu (Beaver). ### Impacts of Colonization Nations navigate lasting impacts of colonial policies, including The Indian Act, the residential school system, imposed band governance structures, high rates of child apprehension and incarceration, persistent poverty and underemployment, and gaps in health, education, and infrastructure. ### Strength, Resilience, and Self-Determination Community systems such as Bah’lats, language revitalization efforts, and cultural governance practices guide strong futures. CSFS, as a Nation-led organization governed by a Board appointed by Member Nations, provides holistic services, advances self-determination, and honours cultural knowledge. ### Annual General Reports CSFS hosts an Annual General Assembly (AGA) yearly to share updates and reflect on work, reflecting a shared commitment to creating wellness together. Reports are available from 2015-2024. --- ## Research at CSFS Knowledge is shaped by community, rooted in culture, and led by Nations. CSFS supports self-determination through community-led research that provides Nation-controlled information, guides program development, and strengthens cultural knowledge. * **Our Values:** Respect, Trust, Integrity & Honesty, Compassion, Responsibility, Reciprocity. * **Our Approach:** Centres on Community leadership, Culture/language/story, Respectful/reciprocal relationships, OCAP® Principles, TCPS2 + Tri-Agency ethical standards, and Indigenous/Western research methods. ### Applications & Processes Our process ensures all research protects community knowledge, follows ethical pathways, and supports Nation-led priorities. * **New Application:** For university partners and external researchers. * **CSFS Staff Application:** For employees undertaking research or evaluation projects. * **Amendment or Renewal:** For changes to an approved protocol or renewing ethics approval. * **Study Closure Report:** Required within six months of a study’s end date, halt, or non-proceeding status. ### Ethics Policies & Framework Research is grounded in respect, accountability, and Nation leadership. * **Approach:** Follows core principles of relational accountability, community governance, protection of culture/identity, integrity, and transparency. * **National Standards:** TCPS2, Tri-Agency Framework (RCR), OCAP® principles, Indigenous research methodologies. * **Policies:** Includes the Research Ethics Policy (2024) and Policy on Responsible Conduct of Research (2024). ### Research Data Management Our approach to Data Stewardship honours community governance, cultural protocol, and participant privacy, grounded in OCAP® principles. * **Strategy Coverage:** Guides collection, secure storage, access management, identity protection, sharing, and long-term retention/disposal. * **Indigenous Data Sovereignty:** Upheld through Nation-Led Decision Making, Culturally Grounded Protocols, and Shared Ownership of Outcomes. * **Storage & Security:** Approved storage includes encrypted institutional servers. Researchers must protect participant identity by removing direct identifiers and using ID codes. ### Publications & Reports Publications share work with Member Nations, Elders, youth, and partners. Examples include *Indigenous Youth Suicide Literature Review*, *Wise Ones — Carrier Leadership Practices and Traits*, *Land-Based Healing*, and *Mobile Diabetes Telemedicine Clinics*. --- ## News, Media & Events * **News & Media:** Provides updates on community events, new programs, research releases, and cultural stories. Press releases and the *Goozih Dust’lus* Newsletter are archived by date. The Culture Blog contains stories rooted in knowledge sharing and community experience. * **Events:** CSFS hosts gatherings, training sessions, and community events across the territories and online. Community members can also submit upcoming gatherings to be featured. --- ## Careers, Learning & Training **Careers:** CSFS focuses on growing careers while keeping *Nowh ut’en* and *Nowh guna* (our way) at the centre. Benefits include flexible work, 3–6 weeks vacation, cultural/personal leave, a pension plan, mental health supports, and ongoing training. **Learning & Training Supports:** Helps community members build credibility, perform strongly, and advance. * **Post-Secondary:** Indigenous Human Services Program and Bachelor of Social Work (through NVIT). * **Funding:** Post-Secondary Funding scholarships, Provincial Tuition Waiver Program, and StrongerBC Future Skills Grant. * **Other Supports:** Driving Lessons Support, Indigenous Entrepreneurs Training, and the Canada Learning Bond. ### Nowh Guna’ Carrier Culture Training *Nowh Guna’* means “Our Way,” reflecting the balance of standing in both the Carrier and Western worlds. * **What to Expect:** Experiential activities focusing on local Carrier history, residential school impacts, trust-building strategies, and Carrier language/dialects. * **Availability:** Open to Indigenous and non-Indigenous partners, community members, and all CSFS staff. The training is delivered virtually over two half-day sessions. --- ## Contact Us CSFS serves communities across Carrier and Sekani territories and beyond. **Find an Office:** * **Main Offices:** Corporate Office (West Vancouver), Prince George Administration Office, Finance and Primary Care (Prince George). * **Branch Offices:** Burns Lake Office, Vanderhoof Office, Fort St. James Office. **Programs and Services:** CSFS offers a wide range of programs, including Delegated Child & Family Services, Mental Health and Wellness, *Niwh Hiskak Habibeh* Youth Services, *Skai Zeh Yah* Youth Centre, Bridging to Employment, and the Vanderhoof Indigenous Headstart. General inquiries, appointment support, media requests, and technical support can all be directed to our administrative offices or via our website.