Chantelle Steen of Indigenous Journey & Chantelles Beadwork

I am a proud member of sturgeon lake cree nation. Currently i reside here in edmonton. Where i raise my 3 children. I birthed 2 girls and raise my boy, my sister birthed. After i went through many losses in the past 6 years.. about 6 of them to murder.. i knew i had to make a change, because I will not be next!! 2 years ago, my older sister was murdered, and previously the year before.. my little sis was also a victim of murder. My spirit was breaking, and i was finding myself drowning my grief… but i knew this was something i couldnt keep doing. So for my boy and my girls.. i chose to quit drinking for good. Growing up in poverty, the life of addiction and alcoholism is all i knew for many years, being on welfare and just struggling to get by. Hoping that i dont become another statistic.

I proudly choose to live my life sober and addiction free for these kids of mine, but also for myself. I dreamt of the life i have now. Its not easy finding a place of employment that you love and the feeling of getting off welfare is amazing, i am grateful for the work i do! I am the creative resiliency manager with VIDEA and i work with indigenous youth, bringing traditional teachings and creativityto life. Investing in myself is something i am so very proud of! I’ve been taking the time to heal my heart and learning new skills everyday. I am very new to being in the market world. As i can say i have only done 3 markets since i have started investing in myself. I am stepping out of my comfort zone and bringing supplies and beadwork to others. Even tho i came from a past that should have brought me down and broke me. I still stand strong with a smile on my face! My babies make me who i am and for them, we will be successful! If i can be at least 1 inspiration to someone else thats in the shoes that i wore..then i feel like i have succeeded! You can come from nothing and get everything you dream of, you just need to believe in yourself