Thee young woman in traditional garments.
Family enjoying a lake view.
Two people tugging on sweetgrass.
A NCSA program small circle group.
Who We Are

Services for Indigenous people, by Indigenous people

NCSA Origins

NCSA has been providing programs and services designed and delivered for Indigenous people, by Indigenous people in Alberta for over 50 years. We started by providing Courtworker assistance with the goal of attaining fair and equitable treatment for Indigenous people across the province.

A National Leader

Over the years, NCSA has evolved to meet the needs of Indigenous people who  often feel alienated by complex legal and court procedures. Our family and youth programs, family, youth and criminal Indigenous Courtwork programs, two correctional institutions for Indigenous offenders (Buffalo Sage Wellness House and Stan Daniels Healing Centre), and BearPaw Media and Education position NCSA as a leader in the development of restorative justice models and practices for Indigenous people.

NCSA's 40+ year history of producing high quality Indigenous training and resource production/distribution is unparalleled by any other organization.

 NCSA is a non-profit, non-political, Indigenous organization that has no religious affiliations. It is registered under the Societies Act of Alberta.

In Search of Warrior Program Circle Stan Daniels Healing Lodge (Video on YouTube)

Our Mission

Native Counselling Services of Alberta’s Mission is to promote the resilience of the Indigenous individual and family, through programs and services that are grounded in reclaiming our interconnectedness, reconciliation of relationships and self-determination.

A young dancer from the Tsuu T'ina Nation in the NCSA film, Journey Home
NCSA Resiliency Model Spiral Graphic

NCSA Resiliency Model

In 2013, the Board and management of NCSA adopted a philosophy for the agency based on an interconnected worldview grounded in relationships.

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NCSA Logo Graphic

NCSA Bear Teachings

Since 1970, the Bear Spirit has been looking after and protecting NCSA as an organization.  In these early years, the Elders and Leaders provided many prayers, ceremonies, and teachings to allow NCSA to be a strong organization for the people.

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NCSA Board of Directors

NCSA has six Indigenous Board Members and represent Alberta’s main geographic areas. The Board serves as a policy-making Board. The senior management team is responsible for day-to-day operations of the agency. The Chief Executive Officer is responsible for the overall operation of NCSA. Approximately 85% of NCSA staff identify as Indigenous.