Stonewall Recovery is founded with the value that we support everyone, regardless of the person’s identity or orientation – especially to populations that are most at risk of drug use.
Being kind and compassionate are the values that align with me the most and I believe that this organization was designed with those in mind. We also can recognize that the way support is now for the 2SLGBTQ+ community, must be better and offer more support systems to those at risk.
I would say highlights are certainly weekly because it entails working with people who are. Excited for us to start offering our services, I receive text messages and phone calls asking us “When will you be open?”
That, to me, is notable because it’s sad to hear that they are looking for some resource to be available. However, the positive highlight of being a part of Stonewall is planning and executing the Gala [Stonewall Recovery Centre Bricks and Mortar Gala]. As I stood on the stage, looking at the wonderful people, I can see that this is why I do what I do. It’s completely worthwhile, and the work is meaningful. I would say that the possibilities of astronomical moments are endless.
Just a few weeks ago, I was actually working with a 2-Spirit knowledge keeper. The discussion we had was around family, and how family is chosen rather than [by] blood, but we were discussing what it looks like. During the ceremony, there was a moment where a bind happened with the intestine of a buffalo on the wrists. Which goes to show how powerful an experience can be, and the choosing of our family. It was also a symbol of this bond with the new family, and I could literally feel the energy.
I would definitely say that my favorite thing to do is scuba diving – just being under the water and feeling how peaceful it is. Being able to be fifty feet below the water allows me to settle. It’s hard to put into words, but I feel like I can be at peace with my own thoughts. After twenty years of scuba diving, it just continues to get better and stay peaceful. A spot that I am most fond of is the Sea of Cortez.
The examples of the queer community is wonderful and just being around those who have lived experience can also be a truly wonderful thing. September Pride, and during the month of June, I can say for certain that we will be there volunteering to take part in the programming.
I would like to highlight that there needs to be solid frame work from Calgary Pride on what work they do, due to lack of connection. I can see a large population of our community has little to no connection because of the paid membership and the amount of membership that are engaged. There is a missing component with Calgary Pride to the queer community.
The main and current services we will offer are focused on recovery and will be online. [We] launched in British Columbia [and] Ontario. This is nationwide and will continue to be national.
The key messaging is that this is available to anyone. The day program will be ready in about 3-6 months, the bed treatment is in the works and hoping to be launched soon. It all comes down to securing funding in order to make all of this possible. The government didn’t consider any type of funding for the 2-Spirit community. Prior to the provincial election, I am not certain that the government thought to consider this after the election was over. We need to step up for our own 2SLGBTQ+ community, and it’s another reason why I am a member of Calgary Pride – to be a part of the changes that they need to make.
The answer is that we are continuing to fight to have spaces that we need to be us. We need more support systems in place, not less. The statistics are horrible. For example, when a teenager comes out as queer, and they live in a nicer home with a stable family, the percentage of them being abused is 39%. Becoming a target from your own family, when they weren’t before, can lead to trauma and addiction.
3.6% of the Canadian population experience this. 30% of the population make up the [unhoused population], and 70% of the [unhoused] population are Indigenous. Those who still ask the question, “Why do we celebrate Pride?”or, “Why is there a Pride month?” are not allies, and hear these questions often on social media.
Stonewall [Recovery] is very much needed. We heard the call, and answered it. Drugs affect us, and about two thousand people have died from it – this doesn’t even include the heartbreak or mental health challenges that are caused by addictions. We need to come together to support all spaces, because our community matters.
Stonewall Recovery is Canada’s very first 2SLGBTQ+ addiction treatment facility, currently offering online recovery programs.
