Band member voices - Giving back to the community

Aaniin. I'm Randell. I am a recovering alcoholic and addict. I want to share with you what helps keep me walking on the Red Road today.

There are a lot of ways to begin your journey on the Red Road to Wellbriety. One thing that I have noticed in Native communities is that a lot of people that start their journey to the minobimaadizewiin want to give back to the communities that they had previously struggled in. That begins with service work. They say there is nothing stronger than the heart of a volunteer, but I say that there is nothing stronger than an addict in recovery that wants to give back as a way of making amends for any wrongs they may have done to their people.

I struggled with active alcoholism and addiction for over 30 years. It took a near-death experience for me to come to the realization that this was the wrong way to live. I was at the point in my addiction that I was throwing in the towel every single day. The issue I was having was that Creator continued to wake me up every morning. One day I decided enough was enough and that I had to get sober. It was through others in recovery, in my community, who entered my life when I needed them most, that I was able to achieve my goal of sobriety. It was because of them believing in me and accepting me just as I was, and witnessing how their service work accomplished miracles that I found hope that I too could recover. That I too could make a difference in my community. With that I want to give a shout-out to Sober Squad. Miigwech!

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