My name is Randy Kakegamick. I am Indigenous, parents from different communities that met here in Ottawa Ontario. Things have changed for the better in my life in the past seven plus years. With the help of a Gladue writer I was able to share my past with courts of Canada.
Since 2016 I have not been back to jail with help from community, friends, and allies that I never thought I had. My biggest stumbling block was that I never asked for help. I went into trauma-based treatment for alcohol and drugs at the Ottawa Mission. I attended stabilization first for 28 days, then went to an Indigenous based treatment facility for another 30 days and then to a final 5-month program with Lifehouse.
I was able to work on why I abused myself with counselors at all the centers I attended and get to the root of trauma. I have been sober since I was let out of OCDC here in Ottawa in 2016, on the condition that I complete these programs. Not all of them were assigned to me. I did willingly attend the Indigenous one by my suggestion and obvious personal reasons.
I started school when I was at the Mission and went on to graduate from high school there. After my success and struggles completing high school, my teacher at the Mission asked if I had any more aspirations to continue with my education. I did and I went onto college. Since making the decision to go back to school I was able to graduate from college three times in the field I chose, which is media. I am a graduate of Digital Music Production, Music Industry Arts, Television Broadcasting, and I am in my final program, Scriptwriting. With all the work I placed in front of me, I wouldn’t have been able to do it without a solid foundation for my recovery plan. This is something I put together with all the ways I’ve learned on how to deal with life and its challenges without using. I built a tool kit of sorts to aid me when things get tough. I go to the gym, bead, practice guitar, square breathing, and many other actions to deal with triggers or temptations.
I am currently a casual camera op/editor at APTN and Student Navigator at Algonquin College where I attend classes. My future goals are to have scripts I’ve written be produced here in Canada and possibly across the border. I have had the benefit of having a community behind me, I am the drum keeper for a group of singers here in Ottawa. I am able to share traditions and dance as well with a clean outlook on life now. I’ve been fortunate to be able to attend ceremony and teach traditions to others. Moving forward will no doubt take more courage and confidence. With that said, I believe in myself now and have a sense of pride because I did things honestly and continue to.
Meegwetch – Randy Kakegamick