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Crying in the Streets of Montreal

Ken Warren Gunn
August 23, 2017
Montreal

"Soon, I'll take care of myself and be on my way."

Ken Warren Gunn, Anishinabe

The big city isn’t paradise on Earth. First Nations people are far from their communities, often without resources, and don’t necessarily find the ideal conditions to flourish or start over with a solid foundation. Ken Warren Gunn humbly admits it: he often cried as he first walked the streets of Montreal, with no one to console him. He’s experienced homelessness and ups and downs, but also moments of peace, a long period of abstinence and sincere friendships. He feels that his life’s about to begin.

Transcript

Standing on the edge of the Mount Royal lookout, a man is standing facing the city. His back is to the camera. To his left stands another man. Both men admire the view of the city of Montreal. All around them, several people are part of the scene or taking pictures. Others are sitting on benches. Opposite the two men, we see the plaza and a wide concrete staircase leading to a building. The sun is setting.

Yeah, I'm from Lac-Simon. My name is Ken Warren-Gunn... I came to Montreal because I needed a change. And, uh... Up until now, uh, I stopped drinking six years ago, because I had, uh... I promised my goddaughter, when she was a little girl, that I would stop drinking. So, I stopped drinking. And, uh... That's it. I just have to finish... to stop smoking pot and cigarettes, and uh...

To return to school perhaps... in September or January. Uh, maybe take some business classes. I don't know... open a shelter here in Montreal for Aboriginal youth who want to study in Montreal.

As you can see, that's how Montreal is. And, uh, that's it. I'm probably going to stay here for a very long time. And I just hope that... I can succeed in my project... going back to school... so that I can become a social worker in substance abuse. And uh, start my own business, and uh, after that, well, so life goes. So, well that's it! I just hope it's going to be okay.

That is my personal experience. It's a long journey. Eighteen suicide attempts. Six times, I almost died a natural death. Hey! The change! Many sacrifices in order to change, many. But after that, you're fine, more relieved, happier! More comfortable. That's it! Uh, my life, it’s only beginning, it's about to start. So now, I think it's high time for me to spread my wings and head towards the sunset, to gaze at the sun. That's it, the most beautiful stage of my life, I think, after so much drinking. So now, uh, I wish you luck, and once again thank you all!

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