Anniversary highlights staff accomplishments

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It has been 30 years of continued growth for Native Counselling Services of Alberta (NCSA) and the organization celebrated its achievements by honoring its staff.

On Nov.1, the organization invited its staff and partners to the Westin Hotel to commemorate its anniversary and accomplishments.

"My initial dream when I first got going was that I would saturate the province in court work, and that we did," said NCSA founder, Chester Cunningham.

"I guess the most rewarding thing is the development of staff," he said. He explained that when he left the staff numbered 140 and included "a number of clients. And some went on to bigger things and they said it was because we allowed them the space to find themselves."

Today NCSA has 26 facilities and regional offices throughout Alberta that continue to provide restorative justice, social programming, community development, and wellness initiatives for Aboriginal people and families.

During evening festivities, Native Counselling's CEO, Allen Benson, acknowledged the staff members and congratulated them for their successes.

"I'm very proud of the fact that I am here to celebrate with the Aboriginal community that is here. It's just awesome and I am proud that we are celebrating because of our staff," said Benson. "We have a dedicated staff that do work in these communities and it is not very often that we honor them. Without them we wouldn't be here doing the quality of excellent service that we do."

A highlight for the celebration included an address from international advisor on Indigenous health issues, Barbara Flick, from Australia. The evening continued with a presentation of NCSA jackets to board members and recognition of Aboriginal community members.

"It's wonderful to be a part of a celebration of all the good things, all the staff. An organization is only as good as the people that are in it," said director of the Stan Daniels Centre, Robert Davies.

"I can speak for my own staff. I couldn't find a better group of people to work with. NCSA contributes to the healing of the people that we come into contact with, and not only them, but their families and their community, and that is our job."

The organization's 30 years of vast accomplishments have changed the face of the criminal justice system by implementing numerous programs such as the Alcohol Education program, the Family Juvenile Court Work program, the Family Life Improvement program, and liaison programs within the provinicial and federal prisons. NCSA also became the first non-governmental agency in the world to administer a correctional institution, the Stan Daniels Centre.

Native Counselling held its annual meeting Oct. 31 and Nov. 1, at which staff award presentations, achievement awards, and long-service awards were presented.

"They (the staff) have the difficult job of helping our people who are traumatized or hurt and misrepresented," said Benson. "I honor them and support them because they are out there in the trenches. This is a celebration of 30 years of hard work and we've invited all who have been part of the success."