BI-CULTURAL LEADERSHIP:
Dr. Allen Benson
CEO of NCSA

Over the course of its forty year history, Native Counselling Services of Alberta has consistently been at the forefront of the campaign for social justice and self-determination for Alberta’s aboriginal population, and under the energetic leadership of current CEO, Dr. Allen Benson, has broadened the scope of its activities considerably. At the helm of NCSA since 1996, Benson characterizes the agency’s history as a long and challenging journey.

Leaders in our Community
CHIEF THERESA MEUSE

Theresa was raised in the community of Bear River First Nation, Nova Scotia. She left the community in 1986 as a single mom and moved to Halifax to attend Dalhousie University as a mature student. She graduated in 1990 with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Sociology and began working for a MI-KMAQ Organization for nearly eight years in areas such as community health and employment equity. She was self-employed for several years as a First Nation Cultural Educator and then worked two years for Congress of First Nation Chiefs in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia.

Osoyoos Indian Band

Osoyoos Indian Band, in partnership with Bellstar Hotels & Resorts, will commence development of the spirit Ridge Residence club in early 2010. The $35 million, 45-unit luxury resort development expansion, along with an exclusive clubhouse, will add to the master-planned NK’MIP Resort development by the Osoyoos Indian Band.

Shy-Anne Hovorka

An Aboriginal singer/songwriter from Northwestern Ontario, and from Matachewan First Nation, Shy-Anne is a former foster child.

She was placed into care on and off from the ages of three and six years of age. She was adopted by the Hovorka family in her 6th year. “Without the foster care system,”Shy-Anne says, “I have no idea where I would be today, but I know it would not be good.”Shy-Anne owes much of her success to those who helped her in her early years.