Carrier Sekani Family Services - Prince George

Carrier Sekani Family Services runs a substance use recovery program (SURP) for Indigenous adults who live in British Columbia or the Yukon. This includes people who are Status, Inuit, or Métis. Because of First Nations Health Authority rules, the program cannot accept people from other provinces.

Seasonal Support

The program changes with the seasons. From May to October, it offers residential treatment at Ormond Lake, on Nadleh Whut'en territory. From November to April, it shifts to community-based programs across northern BC, including one and two-week sessions and workshops on topics like addiction, family violence, shame, and grief. There is no detox or medically supervised withdrawal.

SURP pairs clinical counsellors with cultural knowledge holders, mixing land-based healing and Carrier and Sekani traditions with trauma-informed clinical care. Wellness Workers also support people outside of formal treatment, focusing on prevention, early help, and follow-up after treatment. Getting into residential treatment takes several steps, including pre-treatment counselling sessions and a medical screening.

Mental Health Support

The mental health program offers assessment, counselling, and therapy that blends clinical care with Carrier and Sekani healing practices. Support comes through individual and group sessions, in person or virtual, plus workshops based on what a community needs. There are two streams: Child and Youth Mental Health for ages 6 to 19, and Community Mental Health for adults. Both are free and open to people from CSFS Member Nations. The program also offers crisis support during regular hours.

A separate program supports adults who have experienced sexual violence. It offers short-term mental health support, help understanding the legal and medical process, and someone to go with them to court, the police, or the hospital if they want it.