Thinking big - New Challenges

Changes. It’s something everybody is afraid of sometimes.
Most times, change brings an uncertainty of what is to come. Change also brings a life full of different dramatic experiences. Change can be used in two terms: good or bad. In this case, good!

Change happens to everybody; some change their lifestyles, some change their habits. Then there are those who change cities to have new jobs or live in a different town to experience something different. Some leave for educational purposes and health reasons. Change is something we all need sooner or later. As writers and members of SEVEN Youth Media, we have seen a lot of changes happening in our own personal lives. We have seen changes in our lifestyles, changes in our communication and outlook of how we see things.

Being based respectfully in our communities, Kerina (based out of Webeque) and myself (based in Weagamow) talked hours in terms of moving away from our community for a while. We talked for days and shared our own experiences as to why we would do such a thing. One thing led to another, another led to another. We talked to our friends about it and they were rather happy rather then being sad.

Both Kerina and I now have no jobs, except a part time Photography business. We spend most of our time at home, chatting or talking on the phone. We both do a lot of house work, we labour for our household (LOL). We don't go out as much as we used to in our community because it is getting to dangerous with drug related activities. There were a few times where I got invited to a "house-party" but I declined. Not my cup of tea. For myself, personally there is nothing here for me. Everywhere I look there is nothing to do except to keep the kids busy day after day. But that I feel is coming to an end. There are others now working with them and I am happy for that.

Being in the community can be good but for some, like us, we feel it is that time and season to "move" on with different things. It is time to explore and take on new challenges that the world would offer. In some cases, there well be people who won't agree. Which is okay in a way. People will always disagree.

The hardest part would have to be talking to the parents about it. Their reason? MONEY!

Yes, we need money to make this change happen and we need money to eat and survive in another world. Money doesn’t come easy and as they say, “money doesn’t grow on trees”. Our decision to do this came when I received an email from a friend who asked me why our magazine doesn’t talk about moving to cities and how it is so different then rez life.

The idea struck me like thunder. I prayed and prayed about it. I thought about it and even met some chat buddies who have moved from city to city for the fun of it. I asked them random questions about it and it sounded easy. Now, the fun part is explaining this to the parents. How could I tell them this without them interfering or stopping? I made a good supper for them – steak, mashed potatoes, the whole works.

As they sat there I began to talk and gradually made the announcement. It didn’t take long they were asking questions and they needed a clear answer. I told them we wanted to show other young people that they to can do anything – however, just to have a clear and strong mind-set and to have a clear purpose as to why you’re going. (Hey, you wouldn’t want to go to another town not knowing what you’re doing… set a plan).

It wouldn’t necessarily mean we’d leave everything behind. Our goal is to start this as a project for SEVEN from scratch; a project about moving away from home to the city. The city we picked? TORONTO. We found an apartment at a good reasonable price and the location is near the downtown area, looking right at the CN tower. The date to move is not yet set but we're hoping soon. Our goal is to keep updated blogs and keep our readers on how we are doing. Needless to say, to pave a road of change is difficult and challenging so this will be pretty challenging but our mind is set – TORONTO all the way!