Mutual Aid Request: Get Wes Home

A mutual aid request for Wes Christiansen

My name is Lindsey Jorgensen-Skakum, and I have started this mutual aid request for Wes out of care and concern for their family in this time of need. Wes is stranded in Arrow Lakes due to a vehicle breakdown and needs our mutual aid and community support to get home to Edmonton.

I have had the pleasure of knowing Wes for well over 18 years. Wes is a gift within our community who constantly seeks ways to support Indigenous-led direct action, harm reduction and community care efforts in Edmonton. Beyond all this, Wes is a wonderful parent, a beloved partner, and a fantastic friend who would do anything for someone in need.

As an indigenous person who is 2-Spirit, Wes does not have the safety net or family support afforded to some in Turtle Island. Wes needs his friends and the wider community to come alongside them to lessen the financial barriers to come home.

Now is our chance to help Wes reunite with his family and return home to Edmonton - will you help them?

Who is Wes?

Wes is a 2-Spirit (transmasculine) Indigenous (Red River Metis/settler) and

Single parent to two young children pictured above. He is a graduate student working toward M.Ed. in decolonizing curriculum who has regularly participated in Indigenous-led direct action, harm reduction and community care efforts in Edmonton. Wes is actively involved in land-based education - learning and sharing knowledge, medicines, etc., within community. Wes is trying to raise his kids in Metis culture with access to ceremony and traditional practices.

The Situation:

Wes tried to take his kids on their first solo camping trip in the Arrow Lakes. En route, their car had a severe breakdown. Wes had to pull out onto the side of the road up a mountain with no cell service and had to flag a ride back into town. It was a terrifying experience for Wes and his elementary-age kids.

Wes spent three weeks with the kids, stranded with no access to a vehicle. Wes tried to make their family's extended stay as fun and lighthearted as possible, but Wes's children were very homesick.

Their kids were picked up last week by their dad so they could start school, as the family vehicle still wasn't ready.

Wes is the full-time daytime caregiver for his children, who are now in Edmonton without them. Wes's loved ones are scrambling to help cover before and after school care for their children while Wes awaits his vehicle's repairs. The kids other Dad works full-time and is unable to provide daytime care for his children at this time.

Luckily, Wes has a trailer in Arrow Lakes, so their accommodation costs have been reasonable. However, after being stranded for a month, Wes's expenses have begun to add up.

Wes still doesn't know when the vehicle will be fixed or when they will be able to return home, and it's been incredibly stressful for Wes, his kids, and his loved ones.

The Ask: $1500.00

By the time Wes gets home to Edmonton, they will have been stranded in Arrow Lakes region for more than a month. Wes's expenses have begun to mount as the original trip was only planned for a week.

Beyond the cost of vehicle repairs, Wes is also carrying the cost of having the vehicle and trailer towed, taxi and bus fares for his family, as well as additional campground fees and supplies for their extended stay. None of this takes into account Wes's regular mounting bills and financial responsibilities in Edmonton.

Where will the mutual aid go?

Any money donated will go directly to helping Wes cover some of the costs their family has incurred while stranded in Arrow Lakes.

As an indigenous person who is 2-Spirit, Wes does not have the safety net or family support afforded to some in Turtle Island. Wes needs his friends and the wider community to come alongside his family to lessen the financial barriers to come home.

Wes's goal of $1500 will help cover some immediate expenses due to this unfortunate vehicle breakdown. If any amount of money is raised above this goal, it will go toward paying further debts incurred on this trip and aiding Wes and his family in attending a hide camp this fall.

Wes is the sole benefactor of any funds received through this Go Fund Me.

Wes thanks each of you from the bottom of his heart for your support - Hiy Hiy