Story Shoot 2015 Edition #4 : Kealy Heeg

Who are you?

Kiowa Sage Tank

Kiowa Sage Sweater

My Name is 

Kealy Cheyenne Heeg

I am twenty seven years old.

I am a daughter, a sister, a girlfriend, a friend.

I am an actor, a model, a writer, a finance manager.

...and I am also a survivor of abuse...

 

 Where are you from?

 

I am from Saskatoon, Sk and a member of One Arrow Cree Nation. 

C.Lysia's Designs Tank

 

 Why did you want to participate?

I wanted a chance to reach out and show other young women that no matter what life sends your way there is always hope, there is always a way out. 

C.Lysias Designs Outfit, SheNative Clutch

What is a defining moment that challenged you and made you a stronger person?

C.Lysia's Designs

My fork in the road moment was definitely breaking free of a severely abusive relationship when I was seventeen.

I, like many other young women got pulled into the cycle in which I became romantically involved with a seemingly charming boy who swept me into his world. Eventually I became isolated and completely submerged into a pattern of abuse and me trying to fix him. 

Kiowa Sage Tee, Misty Rain Vest

It was slow-barely noticeable as things escalated;

belittling, jealousy, manipulation. 

It grew as time progressed though. 

A slap.

A fancy dinner.

A push. 

Flowers. 

Threats, stitches, a knife to the throat.

And I was trapped.

I wanted to leave but he said he'd hurt my little brother if I did. 

So I stayed.

For eight and half months in an apartment with the young man I had thought loved me.

C.Lysia's Designs Tank

One night I set him off to the point of no return.

In all actuality I think I simply asked for the blankets or something; but I'd awoken the worst version of him. He peppered my ribs with bruises, dug his nail into my stitches and plugged my nose and covered my mouth.  As everything faded and I'd felt the fight in me dwindle I saw my little brothers face and I thought. "Who's going to protect him if I'm gone?" I kicked him in the knee as hard as I could and I tried to run. 

I'd like to tell you I got away that night but it'd be a lie. That was the night I chose to live though and I started to plan my escape. 

It took me almost losing my life at his hands to finally ask for help and find a way out. But I did just that, a month later I moved home to my family and learned to live again. 

How are you able to overcome adversity and what did it teach you about yourself?

C.Lysia's Designs Outfits, SheNative Clutch

I've filled my life with amazing positive people who build me up and that I can support in return. 

The key for me is a sober lifestyle.

I quit drinking December 7 2009 and finally quit smoking cigarettes in July 2014.  It wasn't an easy journey and it is an ongoing one but it is one of the best decisions I ever made.

I know that there is nothing in this life that I can not overcome, and that the only thing that has ever held me back is myself. 

What would you tell a younger version of yourself today?

C.Lysia's Tanks

You're worth it

Take your time

Join a team/try out for the lead

Don't be afraid to fail

Ask for help

Strong women shed tears 

Love yourself as much as you love those closest to you, you deserve it.

Rosanna & Talia Archer: A mother-daughter edition to Story Shoot 2015 #3

1) Who are you?

Rosanna Archer                                                                 

C.Lysia's Designs

C.Lysia's Designs

Talia archer 

C.Lysia's Designs

2)Where are you from?

R-my family is from Italy, they came here over 30 years ago
T-here from Saskatoon 

C.Lysia's Designs

3)Why did you want to participate?

R-because I believe strong and successful women applaud & support each other! I want my daughter to see that women are powerful together !
T-my mom told me about it and ask if I would be interested in it 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4)What is a defining moment that challenged you and made you a better person

R- I would have to say losing my father was one of the toughest challenges I've had to face yet ! It was hard to accept the fact that he was gone and having to be strong for my mom and my family ! It made me stronger by showing me how important our lives are and to enjoy every moment of it!
T-in school I was having a hard time understanding math it made me feel angry and stressed so I set goals and studied harder 

5)How are you able to overcome adversity and what did it teach you about yourself ?

R- we can't avoid adversity it's going to happen but how we react to it can either build us up or set us down ! Just by seeing at is a learning experience or seeing how I can change to make it better
T-same as my mom trying to see a positive in a negative situation 

6)What would you tell a younger version of yourself today ??

R-don't sweat the small stuff !! Take time to enjoy the moment don't rush it !! Educate yourself and be humble and thankful !
T-don't get stressed over stuff ask for help and enjoy being a kid 

Veronica Morin: Story Shoot 2015 Edition #2

 

Who are you & Where are you from?

 According to my sons, I am a living human mammal mom. 

My name is Veronica Morin I am, firstly, a mom. I am Cree from Big River Reserve. I am also a military widow of the U.S. Army. I spent the first part if my life growing up in P.A. before moving to the reserve during my teen years, all while being raised by single parents. I’ve lived in the states for six years before moving home.

Why did you want to participate in the Story Shoot?

 I wanted to participate in this project because I feel the need to support anything that’s emulates a positive message toward our youth.

 What is a defining moment that challenged you and made you a stronger person?

A defining “moment” in my life was when I became a single parenting widow. I had no choice but to learn to keep myself alive for the sake of my children. That challenge had taught me that I cannot do anything without relying on a higher power first before anything else because I couldn’t always rely on people who meant well. I had to learn who this new person was. I no longer carried the invisible title or job as a military spouse, but I was still mom. I felt I had just joined the ranks among the statistics of being a single parenting aboriginal woman…in Saskatoon, Canada. Still invisible, yet visible in a negative light. Trying to normalize my life I went back to university pursuing a social work degree and learned even more about my ugly self and where I came from. I was very negative and trusted no one at all. I saw how the negativity was destroying my world and my mind but I think that helped in process of building my character.

How were you able to overcome adversity and what did it teach you about yourself?

 I learned how impossible and unnecessary it is to help people change for the better if they don’t really want to change. I needed to know and love myself before I could love anybody else the right way. I need to feel confident in myself so I can do a better job at whatever I am doing. For the first time in my adult life, I have experienced how good it feels to eliminate toxic people from my life, while taking the risk to make new friends that suit my positive aspects. How true it is that “birds of a feather flock together” we really do become what we surround ourselves with. I learned how I am unique and to be happy with that even if it means standing alone. I realized my relationships are becoming better with my kids, my family and friends because of the positive changes I chose to make. I never knew what an impact I had on the future just by being a mom struggling to raise my sons to be productive strong (in every aspect of the word) aboriginal men. I’ve also learned that even if I fail at something, there are always opportunities to forgive myself and try again or just keep moving forward. I am a fighter, I am resilient and I don’t believe in giving up on life. 

 

What would you tell a younger version of yourself today?

To the younger version of myself I would say do what you have to do to get through the tough moments but “never ever doubt your faith no matter what”…the world is not going to stop turning…

I'm an adult now... I was young once upon a time...

Tonight I had the opportunity to attend the 2015 FSIN Youth Legislative Assembly. My good friend Helen Oro invited me to take pictures of her mini fashion show that was taking place. Of course I accepted as I'm always looking to promote local artists. Helen was invited as a guest speaker along with Tara "T-Rhyme" Campbell & Walter "Splisik" Kahpeechoose. I was completely in awe of the way in which they were able to reach the youth through their talents. I believe strongly in the power of our youth as they are the future of our nations. I am so grateful for everyone who came together to organize this event. Youth need to be shown that they are powerful and they need to be heard.

As some of you may know yesterday was my 26th birthday. I certainly don't feel like I am closer to 30 years old than to 20 years old. Somewhere in the last decade I've transformed into someone who's mature, sure of myself and full of ambition. It's been a tremendous journey and I've had a lot of inner battles to combat. One thing is for sure, I've realized that somewhere in the last decade I've lost what it means to be young. I'm not sure how it happens or how exactly I came to be an adult, but it happened. Piece by piece I slowly gave away my youth and traded it in for experience. I've made bad decisions, I've made good decisions, but I had to make decisions to find out who it is that I am.

The one thing I realized after tonight is that somewhere in my decade of 16 to 26 I'm not sure I entirely relate to the younger generation. I feel like sometimes I get lost in myself sometimes. When my ultimate goal is to be inspiring to those who listen. It's as if I need to step back and realize I'm where I am, because of where I was. There is no way a younger person is going to listen to the words I speak if I'm trying to speak over their struggles. I remember how lost I was, I remember how selfish I was, and most of all I remember how all I wanted was someone to listen to me. All I wanted was someone to accept me for me. Needless to say I never really found that in someone else until I found it in myself. As a mother of two young boys I seem to forget how voiceless I felt at their age.

In my mentoring roles I always try to seek a perspective that is different from my own. I always try to listen to the other side of the story. Most of all I always try to encourage people where they are, because I believe in who they can be. It's none of my business to judge the journey of another person. It is my business to be the best version of myself. This knowledge I have is often lost when it comes to relating to a younger person these days. So I feel like tonight was a really great way of reminding me. I need to step back and realize I don't have all the answers and it's not my job to. My goal is to listen, be supportive, and always be a light. So that when anyone especially the younger generation chooses me as a mentor, I'll be an example of what it means to empower others.

T-Rhyme Speaking to the hearts of youth creating new fans :)

Helen Oro's collection doing the last walk <3

Colleen A. Shalley: A story Shoot Series

Who are you?  

 

Colleen A. Shalley, owner and model of Saskatchewan's newest 

modeling agency and event planning company - Infinity Management.

 Also Ms. Saskatchewan Globe Representative 2016

 

 

 

 

Where are you from?

 

Born and raised in Saskatoon, SK

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Why did you want to participate in the Story Shoot?

 

As a woman who is trying to make a difference in the community, I felt the need to participate to show people what I am capable of.

 By starting my own business - I want to be a role model showing people 

that if you believe in yourself and be resilient - anything is possible. 

 

Dress by: Stephanie Gamble of C.Lysia's Designs

 

 

What is a defining moment that challenged you 

and made you a stronger person?  

 

I am 26 years old I was married at 21 and am now divorced. This was a life changing experience - I was unhappy in my marriage and knew I had to make a change to find happiness. Life is too short to be unhappy and I am now a stronger person because of this as I was able to brave up the courage to make a change.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

How are you able to overcome adversity and what

 did it teach you about yourself?

 

I have been able to overcome adversity by being focused and staying strong. It taught me that I am a resilient person - I have drive and passion like no other and when you pursue your dreams - no one can stop you!

 

 

 

 

 

What would you tell a younger version of yourself today?

 

Don't wait for anything! Don't look back regretting that you should have started something sooner - do it when it feels right!

 

Dress by: Misty Naytowhow of Misty Rain Designs