This post was written by Reconnection Vision Fellow Ryan Kyikavichik

It was the year 2020 when I walked through the doors of the Kwanlin Dün Cultural Centre. I was just two – three days out of treatment for alcohol and drug addiction. My cousin Brandon had some cash for me and all I had to do was pick it up.

When I walked through those doors, over 30 participants were sitting in a circle - some gathering my cousin was attending. To be honest, I did not care what they were doing, I only wanted to grab the money and leave -- but my cousin was speaking , so I sat outside the circle and waited until he was done speaking.

I was so disconnected from life and people, I didn’t care what was behind me, or what was in front of me. Looking back at that time of struggle, I wouldn’t call it living - it was more like surviving.

Norma Kassi was the one that invited me into the circle to sit with everyone, and Jocelyn Joe-Strack was the one that invited me to come back.

So, I did.

Me and Jocelyn Joe-Strack, Reconnection Vision Graduation.

The gathering was for Climate Change and there my healing journey began. I had joined the Yukon Climate Action Fellowship.

The dream is Reconnection. For me, that meant reconnecting with life again.

Grief carried me through life thus far, but it was the Reconnection Vision Fellowship that offered me another path. A path of kindness, love, strength in friendship, and gentleness of leadership.

It is without a doubt in my mind that this experience saved my life.

Thank you, to the people that supported me along the way and took a chance on me.

Thank you all.