I Am At Home Now
User Story
By Justina Keewatin
We have been trying to move to Edmonton for the past couple of years. We’re originally from Brandon but a few years ago my husband got a job with DND in Ottawa and my family was split between Ottawa and Brandon. As a mother, I felt we needed to be together somewhere that everyone would be comfortable and I thought Edmonton might be that place. At this time I encouraged my husband to try to acquire a job in Edmonton as I knew I could get a job here as well with my profession of Early Childhood Educator.
Being a First Nations person, I have always felt comfortable seeing other First Nations people and I’ve always felt comfortable knowing there were others like me around. Our world is small and it’s always great to meet people who might be married to someone you know. I thought Edmonton offered that opportunity to be around other First Nations people.
So, I went ahead and applied for a job in Edmonton in June 2008. I also applied with the Alberta province for a Level III standing in Early Childhood Education and received it in August. I was so excited and happy. It was just a matter of weeks before I got a job with Hospitals and Community Daycare. I say it’s fate as all the other jobs I had applied for did not get in touch me. I still work in this wonderful daycare today.
I was staying with my niece at the time. She and my nephew treated us so well and their friends gave us used furniture to get us started in our new place. I had given all my furniture away before I moved here because I could not afford a moving truck. We basically had just the clothes we were wearing, and our few pictures and knick knacks. The landlord I rented from also gave us used furniture. And on Kijiji Edmonton I had the most awesome meeting of great hearts I will ever experience. I got into contact with people who gave away their treasures to put in my new home. I also got a hold of a wonderful organization called Bent Arrow Traditional Healing Society and they helped us get pretty good beds and they helped my 16-year-old daughter with her resume so she could find a job.
So thank you Edmontonians, I love this city and I love the atmosphere. I am at home now.
