Aboriginal Counseling Services of Alberta

Feature Friday: Staff Spotlight
In her own words, this is why Cherie does the work she does at ACSA.

“The smell of medicine burning, the circle, the courage it takes for someone to share their story, that’s what stays with me.

I believe healing happens from the inside out through connection, not correction. It’s about building self-love, deepening self-awareness, and reconnecting to who we truly are.

I’ve witnessed women reclaim their voices and their power, their truth and that healing ripples through families and community.

Every time someone shows up, they are putting another log on their home fire, keeping their inner fire strong and strengthening their community.”

— Cherie Potemkin
Program Manager

Cherie’s work reflects the heart of what we do at ACSA, supporting individuals and families through culturally grounded care, connection, and healing.

This work continues beyond events. It lives in the everyday moments of support, the safe spaces created, and the relationships built in community.

If this message resonated with you, we invite you to share this post and help create space for healing and connection in our community.

If you feel called to support this work and help expand access to culturally grounded healing, you can donate here:
https://www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/aboriginal-counselling-services-association-of-alberta/

Grounding Series — Part 3 🍃

Grounding can also be something you gently guide yourself through, one step at a time.

Progressive Muscle Relaxation

“Tense and relax each muscle group to reduce stress, improve sleep, and promote physical and mental calm.

Work through muscle groups systematically, from head to toe or vice versa. For each group, tense the muscles for 5–10 seconds, then release the tension and relax for 10–30 seconds.

Maintain steady breathing throughout, breathing in and out slowly.

Your conscious focus helps quiet mental chatter and promotes self-awareness. The physical release of tension sends signals to your nervous system, activating the parasympathetic response, helping to slow your heart rate, lower blood pressure, and ease your body.”

— Alyx Stange
Counsellor & Circle Facilitator
Aboriginal Counselling Services of Alberta

As we move into a new month of reflection and community learning, take a moment for yourself today.

Would you try this exercise? Let us know how it feels for you.

If you feel called to support this work, you can donate here:
https://www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/aboriginal-consulting-services-association-of-alberta/

June 6 is Blue Jean Jacket Day 💙

Blue Jean Jacket Day raises awareness for Missing, Murdered, and Exploited Indigenous Men and Boys (MMEIMB) while honouring the lives, families, and communities impacted by this ongoing crisis.

At ACSA, we believe these conversations are important and that continued awareness, education, advocacy, and community support all play a role in reconciliation and healing.

We were honoured to hear Stephanie Harpe speak during our recent Red Dress event, where powerful conversations were shared surrounding advocacy, lived experiences, healing, and the importance of continuing to uplift Indigenous voices.

We encourage community members to attend this important event on June 6 for an afternoon of information sharing and learning.

Date: June 6, 2026
Time: 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Location: 9625 Jasper Ave

Wear blue.
Say their names.
Never forget.

Grounding Series — Part 2 🍃

Grounding can come through culture, connection, shared space and community care.

“In our circles, grounding is rooted in cultural practices. We rely mainly on smudging and prayer. At the start of circle, the smudge helps participants arrive, settle in, and be present in the space.

When things get heavy, we bring the smudge back to allow everyone a chance to pause, reset, and gather themselves without stepping outside the flow of the circle.

Another important part of grounding is the participants themselves. Over time, they begin to support each other through listening, shared experiences, and holding one another accountable in a respectful way. That peer support helps bring people back to a steady place.

It’s less about structured exercises, and more about the consistency of the space, the cultural practices, and the relationships built within the circle.”

— Michael Squire
Program Manager, Men’s Circle of Safety

Take a moment to reflect today.

What helps you feel supported or grounded in your community?

If you feel called to support this work, you can donate here:
https://www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/aboriginal-consulting-services-association-of-alberta/

Grounding Series — Part 1 🍃

Taking a moment to ground yourself can make a difference.

Grounding doesn’t have to be complicated. It can start with something simple like a breath, a pause, a moment of awareness.

In our circles, grounding can come through cultural practices, shared spaces, connection, and simple techniques that bring us back to the present moment.

Take a moment for yourself today.

What helps you feel grounded?
If you feel comfortable, share below.

Take what resonates, move at your own pace, and remember there is no one way to heal.

This week, were sharing a few grounding practices and reflections used within our circles and community spaces.

If you feel called to support this work, you can donate here:
https://www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/aboriginal-consulting-services-association-of-alberta/

Meaningful Monday ❤️

Healing happens in relationship, community, and safe spaces where people feel seen, heard, and supported.

Through ACSA’s Circle of Safety programming, individuals are able to gather in culturally grounded spaces rooted in connection, reflection, peer support, and healing. These circles create opportunities for conversation, accountability, wellness, and community care.

Our hope is to continue expanding these spaces and bringing additional circles and supports into community.

If you would like to help support this work, while also entering for your chance to win. You can participate in our ACSA 50/50 fundraiser!

Tickets: $5 each
Draw Date: September 15, 2026
Winner Drawn At: ACSA Office – Edmonton

50% of proceeds support Circle of Safety programming, wellness initiatives, food, supplies, and culturally grounded community supports. The remaining 50% goes to the winning ticket holder.

E-transfer: [email protected]

AGLC Raffle License #: 782053

Thank you for helping support healing through connection and community.

Healing happens in safe spaces, in community and through connection. 💚

Thanks to the support of TELUS and the TELUS Friendly Future Foundation, Aboriginal Counselling Services Association of Alberta (ACSA) is expanding our Circle of Safety program, reaching more Indigenous women and youth impacted by family violence.

These circles create space for:
connection, healing, and rebuilding strong, healthy relationships guided by culture, teachings, and community.

This work is rooted in trust.
It’s about being heard.
It’s about having a space where your voice matters.

Because of this funding, we are able to reduce barriers and ensure more people can access culturally grounded, trauma-informed support when they need it most.

We are deeply grateful to TELUS for investing in Indigenous-led healing and community care.

If this work resonates with you, learn more or share this with someone who may need support:
https://www.aboriginalcounseling.com/

If you feel called to support this work and help expand access to healing, you can donate here:
https://www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/aboriginal-counselling-services-association-of-alberta/

Every share, every conversation, and every contribution helps create safer spaces for healing.

TELUS TELUS Friendly Future Foundation

A Meaningful Reminder of Why This Work Matters ❤️

Recently, members of ACSA’s Men’s Circle of Safety team sent smudge kits to participants as a way to support grounding, connection, and spiritual care outside of circle spaces.

One participant shared:

“THANK YOU!!! The smudge was much appreciated!!! Thank you from my family and me!!”

Another shared:

“I received the smudge kit, thank you for sending it, it really helped out today. I forgot the importance being more in touch with my spirituality.”

Messages like these are meaningful reminders that culturally grounded support can continue beyond a single gathering or conversation.

Healing can come through community, care, culture, and reconnecting with practices that help people feel grounded and supported.

Thank you to the facilitators, Elders, and community members who continue to make this work possible every day.

Today, we invite you to take a moment for yourself and reflect on what helps you feel connected, grounded, or supported.

If this message resonates with you, we invite you to:
- Share this post
- Start a conversation
- Support someone in your community
- Or support programs like these through donation

If you feel called to support programs like these, donations can be made here:
https://www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/aboriginal-consulting-services-association-of-alberta/

Feature Friday: Meet Ojy ✨

Behind every program and every moment of support, there are people helping everything run smoothly.

Ojy plays that role at ACSA 🤍

As an Executive Administrative Assistant, her work happens mostly behind the scenes but it’s a big part of what keeps everything moving forward.

“I’m grateful to support the work happening at ACSA. It’s meaningful to contribute behind the scenes and help ensure things run smoothly so the team can continue making a positive impact in the community.”

- Ojy Saad
Executive Administrative Assistant

Her role helps create the structure and flow that allows the team to focus on what matters most supporting individuals, families, and community.

If this work resonates with you, you can help support programs like these, donate here:
https://www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/aboriginal-counselling-services-association-of-alberta/

Comment something that resonated with you or share this post to help us reach more people.

Today, members of the ACSA team had the opportunity to attend and participate in NCSA’s 4th Annual Indigenous Friendship Golf Tournament at The Ranch Golf & Country Club. ⛳️

We were honored to sponsor a hole, connect with community members, support local initiatives, and spend the day surrounded by laughter, conversation, teamwork, and community connection.

Events like this are important reminders that healing and wellness can also happen through relationships, gathering spaces, shared experiences, and community support.

Thank you to the Native Counselling Services of Alberta (NCSA) for hosting such a meaningful event and creating space for connection and celebration within community.

We are grateful to everyone who stopped by our table, shared conversations with our team, and helped make the day so special.

Community matters.
Connection matters.
Showing up for one another matters.

If you would like to support culturally grounded healing, wellness programming, advocacy, and community initiatives through ACSA, donations can be made here:
https://www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/aboriginal-consulting-services-association-of-alberta/

We also encourage everyone to continue supporting Indigenous-led organizations, community events, and spaces that help strengthen connection, culture, and collective wellness within our communities.

Strong communities are built through collaboration 🤍

At ACSA, our Circle of Safety programs create space for healing, connection and cultural support for Indigenous Men, Women, Children and Families.

This work doesn't happen alone, its made possible through community partnerships, supporters and those who believe in creating safe space for healing.

As we continue to grow, we are actively seeking community funders and partners to help expand our Circle of Safety.

If you are:
- A community partner
- A local business
- An organization
- Or someone who feels called to support this work

We would love to connect.

You can support this work by:
- Donating to help expand our programs
- Share this post to help us reach new partners
- Connecting us with individuals or organizations who align with this work

Donate here:
https://www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/aboriginal-consulting-services-association-of-alberta/

Together, we can continue to build spaces where healing, connection and community thrive.

Know someone who should be part of this work? Tag them below or send us a message.