I am North Slave Dene, born and raised in Inuvik, Northwest Territories. I moved to Edmonton in September 2018 to try and build a different life. I wasn’t happy with the one I had in Inuvik. Unfortunately, I gave into my past trauma and became consumed by my addictions. My children moved home without me, and I isolated myself from my family, friends and old life. After a few months on my own, I decided I needed to do something and find work, and that’s when I came across Trade Winds. I applied, was accepted, and started right away. I’ve always had an interest in the trades and saw this as an opportunity to try. I really liked the helpful staff and office, it felt like the right choice. My father is an electrician, and I grew up around the trade, so naturally that help motivate me as well.
I loved the academic portion and getting tickets. I made it to Union training and did a month of theory, but my addictions caught up with me and I missed too many classes. I believe I was a week away from starting shop training and I just gave up, I wanted to party more than attend class. I quit and went back to being consumed by my addiction. A month later, I decided I needed to do something about my addictions; I regretted not finishing at Trade Winds. Over the next year, I attended a trauma and addictions treatment program twice; first time to help me get clean and the second time for severe depression. But that wasn’t the end, after returning home for the second time after my second time at treatment, I was still struggling mentally and emotionally. I decided to leave home once again and move back to Edmonton alone in August 2021. I didn’t stay sober and resumed a more tame party lifestyle.
Once again, I learned that Trade Winds was running the pre-trades electrical again. I applied and was accepted again. I went home for Christmas, stayed sober and returned to Edmonton January 2022 and started the program. Once again, I enjoyed the program and made it through to the end. I did struggle towards the end but with the support of all the amazing and supportive staff, I completed the program in April 2022.
The second time at Trade Winds was awesome, I loved shop training and learning the hands-on skills. It certainly confirmed that I wanted to become an electrician. Through theory and shop training, I felt like I had what it takes to do electrical. All of Trade Winds, IBEW Training Centre and Eagle Healing supported me throughout the program, I wouldn’t have completed if they hadn’t kept pushing me.
I was my biggest and toughest challenge. Overcoming my mental and emotional barriers and making that decision to finish and finally pursue my dream job was really difficult, after a lifetime of believing I need to be and do what I thought others expected of me. I spent years trying to understand and help others trauma and struggles, without ever truly trying to deal with my own. I always managed to keep mine at bay and distract myself with other peoples needs.
Now I am the happiest I’ve ever been. Trade Winds gave me the confidence to finally enter the trade and I am loving it and thriving! I have never been more mentally, emotionally, and physically healthy in my entire life. I had to take some time to re-establish myself and move to Calgary. I took a social work job, because it was the easiest and highest paying job that I could get in order to re-locate unexpectedly. But once I was established, I started to feel myself emotionally going backwards and knew it was time. I applied to five companies one Saturday and received an email back Monday morning. Two weeks later I was starting my new job as an Apprentice Electrician. And it has been a life changing experience!
I’ve been an apprentice for four months and love it. I was extremely lucky and have a great crew of fellow apprentices and journeymen, who all are amazing teachers and mentors, there is no where else I’d rather be.
My children get to see a happy and stable Mother and that is an amazing feeling. I am hoping that seeing me pursue my dream job, helps them to do the same. And that they can change their life when ever they want, to make themselves happy. I know that the rest of my family is happy for me and proud of me. And I am sure that when I return to my community some day, people will see a much happier, content, and confident Melissa.
Don’t listen to others about what you should do with your life, follow your instincts and dreams! There’s nothing wrong with changing your mind about what you want to do, just make sure its what YOU want to do.
