Jana Murray

Carrier Sekani Family Services

In the late 1980's the elders and leaders of the newly formed Carrier Sekani Tribal Council (CSTC) came together and decided that it was time that social and health issues were brought to the forefront. The social well-being of the Carrier and Sekani people needed improvement and it was time to begin on a new path- one that would lead their member nations to a better place and a solid future. The CSTC took their first step on this path by employing eight people to support Carrier and Sekani families to navigate the Child Welfare system. In addition, they saw the need to have a patient advocate for Carrier people at the University Hospital of Northern British Columbia. Based on their vision on August 1990, a non-profit society was established to provide social welfare supports, legal guidance, and research to Indigenous people living in remote and urban areas in Northern BC's central region. The non-profit was named Northern Native Family Services. In later years it was re-named Carrier Sekani Family Services (CSFS). CSFS signed its first transfer agreement in 1997 to provide community-based health programs. As the service needs in child welfare, social, health and legal programs were on the rise; these areas became the development priorities for the agency. Landmark events began with the incorporation of a small office and a handful of employees, and with the guidance of a board of directors, the society moved forward. Today, CSFS is a leading organization with more than 280 skilled staff members in Prince George, Vanderhoof, Fort St. James and Burns Lake. CSFS is committed to a strong foundation in Carrier and Sekani values, beliefs and philosophies. As a result, we are progressive and a forerunner in the development and delivery of community based programs.