National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

12 National Day for Truth and Reconciliation SUPPLEMENT TO THE FREE PRESS • SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2023 Forging forward as a woman in trades Funded by the Government of Canada's Apprenticeship Service By Jennifer McFee A local tradeswoman has found ways to plumb the depths of her life's experiences to soar towards success. Arleen Kehler embarked on a path towards becoming a plumber, serving as an inspiration for other girls and women interested in the trades. The journey hasn't always been easy, yet she continues to persevere towards her goal, overcoming hurdles that run generations-deep. Her grandmother and aunt, from Peguis First Nation, are survivors of residential school. The long-lasting effects of that experience continue to be felt by the family today. "My kookum married young and didn't know how to take care of a family. She went for a pack of cigarettes and never came back, leaving behind seven children," Kehler says. "My dad was seven at the time and one of my uncles was just born. That really affected my family a great deal, not having their mother come home." The ripple effect has impacted the generations that followed, yet Kehler believes it's possible to change the trajectory. "It really affected my father, and then I was hurt that he was reserved with his emotions. I ended up having addictions and mental health issues, which affects my children too. But I'm very stubborn, which I got from my dad. If there's an issue with me, I'll be the first to admit it and I'll go get help — which I have," she says. "It's bittersweet — there's all the bad of the past, but there's also the success of pushing through it to be a good role model for my children." Kehler initially found a spark of interest in the trades while she was with her children's father, who was a plumbing apprentice at the time. "Being a tomboy growing up, I absolutely loved it. I thought maybe one day I would become a plumber too," she says. "We separated, but I still always had that desire to become a plumber." She heard about a pre-employment plumbing program offered to Indigenous participants through First Peoples Development Inc. (FPDI) in partnership with Piping Industry Technical College of Manitoba. She interviewed for the opportunity and was selected. "I was so excited that I was going to be a plumber. That being said, it was a struggle. I'm a single mother and my children are three, five and seven," she says. "Living in Portage la Prairie, I would drive to and from Winnipeg every day, Monday to Friday, to take my class. It was very difficult, but I'm very determined — and I get that from my father as well." After completing the 10-month program, Kehler joined Local 254 and has been working for about a year and a half with ServcoCanada. She looks forward to completing her second level of apprenticeship training, but it's been a challenge to find childcare to help her reach that goal. "I am so grateful for FPDI. They really changed my life and now I can provide for my children. They treat me so well," Kehler says with emotion. "My union sent me to B.C. for a conference and they want me to promote women in the trades. It's all just been a dream come true. It's overwhelming sometimes but I couldn't be more happy and excited. Being a woman in the trades has opened up so many doors and is giving my family so many opportunities." Reflecting on her own experience, Kehler encourages others to seek ways to heal and to get help if they need it. "It's unfortunate that my elders, my people, never got to experience a life they should have and it's unfortunate that our culture was not properly passed down to the next generation," she says. "But through my healing of addiction and trauma, I have been teaching my children the way of the land, the beauty of the culture. Along with much therapy, counselling and programs, my family can begin to heal and help others see there is a possibility for success and happiness after what our people have been through." Every culture has its story, she adds, and there's no need to feel shame for accessing resources to try to improve your life. "It saddens me that my family never got to experience a proper loving happy home. It saddens me that this has all affected the generations of my family negatively," she says. "On the other hand, I'm happy to have had FPDI be a part of my healing process. And on Sept. 30, we can begin to heal so that our next generations have a chance at a successful, healthy, happy life." fpdinc.ca Arleen Kehler. PHOTO BY DARCY FINLEY

• Cover