I never thought I would be here...

Ask me two years ago, would I think I be at where I am now with my life?

HECK NO.

I remember back in April of 2015 getting an email from my band, the Chippewas of Rama, about going to post-secondary and ways they could help fund me. At the time I thought little of it and went on my days in Muskoka of constantly searching for employment. As the days went on, I became more and more keen to the idea and asked my band more information about this. They informed me that tuition would be fully paid, as well as a living allowance, for me to go back to post-secondary. I am approaching 40. Should I or shouldn't I?

Well, the day before the request for application was due for my band, I filled out the applicable information and sent it off. I knew I could refuse at any time if I so chose.

I am so glad I didn't because moving here to London to attend Fanshawe College has been one of the best moves I have ever made in my life. There are people I have to thank for that for making it all possible.

But first, let me take you on a journey about a year ago.

Fanshawe College Bookstore

July 24, 2015.

My first time at Fanshawe College.

I didn't know what to think of this very large, spread out institution. Fears and doubts started crawling back into my head. Could I do this? Am I ready for it? A very eye-opening day.

My new place, 937 Apache Road in London, Ontario

Around 4 p.m. that day I met my new landlord and he showed me the place. I was sold immediately and gave him my first/last deposit and signed my lease. There was no turning back now. As soon as he pulled away I was getting butterflies in my stomach about it all. It was all very new and all happening so fast. I traveled back to Muskoka not knowing what my future held for me. I was scared, no doubt about it. A new place with new friends. Going back to college to commit to studies.

Moving Day!

September 2, 2015.

If the butterflies were in my stomach before, they turned into large moths by this point. Today was the day I would say goodbye to Muskoka and literally move onto a new chapter in my life. Saying goodbye to friends and giving love to my family, I was bound for London. Not counting July 24th, this would be my first day in a brand new city.

Lots to unpack!

Where do I start?

6 hours later....I have a room!

September 6, 2015.

First official day of class

To say I was nervous....well, I think you're starting to get the idea.

To my surprise (and some sillyness) I found the students to be very warm and welcoming which I did not expect at all. Of course there were the bad apples in the bunch. They soon got a dose of reality when assignment were due the first week. Yup, here's college life once again.

Fanshawe College - the college that never ends!
Haha...I still get lost sometimes!

I knew I was in it for the long haul so even from day 1. Being older (and wiser, yeah! haha) I knew that I didn't want to squander this opportunity. I set my sight to 'laser beam focus' and started my first year at Fanshawe College.

Video about Fanshawe and London

I really wish I would have taken more photos of my time inside Fanshawe this year, just of random days to show you what my day to day was like. I do have these though:

Fanshawe's RedZone for branded apparel

More of the RedZone

A cool shop in downtown London.

Fanshawe has some amazing fine arts talent

Smudging at our First Nations Center

Unfortunately we lost one of our own this year.

A sunny, winter London day.

Picturesque London streets.

Most student's lifeblood: Tim Horton's!

Cool place to eat: The Asian Hotpot.

You know me, gotta find the closest skatepark!
Only 10 minute walk away!

Like I said I wish I would have taken more pictures this year of my friends and daily life but I was way too busy and focused to do so.

Now onto the heart of this blog - what happened this year and how I did academically.

Now when I first started this year at Fanshawe I knew I wanted to be an active student with both academics and student life. Little did I know just how far these connections would take me. To say my 2015-16 academic year was good would be a huge understatement.

Here's why:

Ever since I got to Fanshawe, I've been actively involved with
the First Nations Center. This is one of our Open Houses.

...and this is us being a bunch of geeks.

I've also become quite active with the Counselling & Accessibility area of
our college and I have plans to institute a peer counselling team through Jack.org
to help students adjust to college life with disabilities. Ms. Windell (far left) is my
counsellor and is an amazing person.

Fall Grades 2015 - not too bad.

Winter Grades 2016 - not bad, could use some improvement.

Now as you can see I became quite active inside the college. Little did I know just how much this would impact me as you will soon see.

Year End Gathering @ Fanshawe for First Nations 

Fanshawe students and staff & the First Nations Center

I was told to come that day to enjoy the festivities and help represent the First Nations Center. So I finished class that day to head down to our 'J' gym to where it was being held. Just walking into the gym, seeing the regalia and proud First Nations people gathered in one spot was quite heartwarming. Vendors were selling wares and the entire atmosphere was very uplifting and positive. The day started off with two prayers and a elder's walk to pay homage to our teachers. The drum beat loudly as the fantastic dress swayed back and forth and the feet moving as quick as the people were. It was quite a sight to behold.

Just after this, our Student Success advisor, Chris Hannah took to the mic.

"I would like to take this time to honor our students that have worked so hard this year to make Fanshawe college a proud Indigenous place for all to attend, but have also helped out so much with our First Nations Center."

Eight students for the 8 academic months were called up. I was floored to hear my name for the month of April.

Wow. What a surprise!!!

So proud.

What came next I will never, ever forget:

As you can see, Chris Hannah is holding me back after I received my Student of the Month award.

"Now all of these students here have made considerable contributions to make Fanshawe and the FNC a better place all around. And each year there is that one student that seems to go above and beyond to truly encapsulate both academic performance and the spirit of their Indigenous ancestry.....

Very slowly starting to sink in what exactly she is saying...
as my hand goes to my mouth in utter disbelief.

"...therefore the Student of the Year for 

the 2015-2016 academic school year is..."

WHAT?!?! Unreal!!!!

Even months later I am still in disbelief.

I was stunned. What an absolute honor. Being a bit humble, I feel like there were other more deserving student to receive this award, but I will certainly accept it and cherish it for the rest of my days. With that came a sizeable bursary. I am so very lucky and blessed.

Getting this award drew me even closer to the Center to see how I could give back and also learn more about my culture. Luckily enough a work-study at the First Nations Center came up and I jumped on it as soon as I could. A week later and my luck was still running on high. I got the position.

'The Team' (left to right)
Daniel Kennedy - Outreach Co-ordinator
Christine Hannah - Student Success Advisor for FNC
Some tall, lanky dude from Muskoka &
Guy Williams - General Manager for the FNC

I am now a First Nations Center representative and its Social Media Co-ordinator during my next two years here. Not only am I working in my field but also helping Indigenous students. A win-win situation.

I recently did a blog to which I am quite proud of in where I address empowering First Nation youth while eliminating the aging population crisis. It can be found here:

Reconciliation: Empowerment & Solving a Crisis

I have also had the honor to attend a conference in Toronto, hosted by the Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business, in April. Guest speakers included the Right Honorable Paul Martin, Indspire CEO and Chair Roberta Jamieson, Wab Kinew - a Canadian Indigenous spokesperson and others. Here a a few highlights:

Wonderful song to start the conference off.

Roberta Jamieson - a great speaker with a wealth of knowledge

The Right Honorable Paul Martin

Wab Kinew - a fine First Nations spokesperson

The full panel.

Selfie with Indspire CEO
Roberta Jamieson

I cannot believe how far I have come in just a single year. It's been quite the adventure.

But I cannot take all the credit. These following people have been absolutely vital and instrumental in me getting to this this point. I can never thank these people enough and they should feel like they have a part of my success with them. Without further adieu, here are the amazing ladies that have been in my corner for years now:

Sheila Bath

Sheila Bath worked with me in conjunction with the District of Muskoka to help do all the paperwork necessary for me to go to Fanshawe. She spent countless hours (yes, hours!) helping me fill out forms, make phone calls, budgeting so I could pay fees and just a great help all around. I will never forget the lengths you went to to get me here Sheila. Thank you for having patience with me and genuinely seeing me succeed.

Sarah Patchett

Wow. There is not enough good things to say about Sarah. Also working with Sheila, she oversaw my transition to London from Muskoka. She also spent countless hours fine-tuning my portfolio, meeting with me to see how my progress towards London was going. She is also a very warm-hearted person and just generally likes to help people. Well, Sarah, you went above and beyond with me. I hope we stay connected professionally for as long as we can. You have a heart of gold. Thank you for everything.

Deborah Windell

Ever since I came to Fanshawe College, I have needed to use their counselling and accessibility services due to my generalized anxiety disorder and phobias, Fanshawe College must have been looking out for me again, since they paired me with one of the most honest, down-to-earth and wise counselors that I have ever had. And that's a LOT of counselors haha. She has helped me realize some things about myself that I have never considered before and has also been instrumental in my low points to help me see things differently. I consider you not only a great counselor but a great friend, Deborah. I hope we can get this peer counseling idea going again at Fanshawe.


And the best lady of all...

My mom.

My mom, Pam Callacott
(left)

Where do I begin with you, mom. Not only being there in my high and low points, we have developed such a close relationship in the past decade or so that I cherish forever. You have seen me grow from a baby and have shaped me into the "man" I am today. Everything you have done for me in life has been just to better me and to make me realize that nothing can stop me. I can never pay you back enough for the financial, emotional and mental support you have given me. You are my beacon of light in my dark days, my cheer squad when I do well and my best friend always.

I love you forever mom.

Last but not least:

Mickey

I would not be here too if it were not for the support of a little 2 foot by 1 foot furball haha. I look at those posters that mom made of you daily and you put a smile on my face Mickey. You'll always be me best budz and me DOGE. I love you Mickey and without knowing it, have also helped me get herez and herez (haha, don't ask.)


So to sum it all up, 2015 & 2016 have been certainly two life changing years. I have finally grown into my own and have possibly found a new calling in life in helping my First Nation brothers & sisters fully realize their potential and maybe become a voice for our Indigenous youth. It would be truly fulfilling to do so.


I am looking forward to what the next year holds and where I will go from there.
Thank you again to the people that got me here.
You will hold a special place in my heart forever.

In closing, I leave you with this from the late Muhammad Ali:

The Greatest of All Time was a poet with words.

Miigwech - 'Thank You' in Ojibwe