Good day Family & friends,

I’ve been sitting with this for a long time, and it hasn’t been easy to share. I’m writing because I’m considering starting a GoFundMe to help support my family during one of the hardest seasons of our lives.

I am a single mother of six children, doing my best to work when I can and to finish my last five courses at the University of Alberta so I can graduate this year with my Bachelor of Arts in Native Studies, with a minor in Art and Design. Education is incredibly important to me, and I am holding onto it even through everything we are facing.

In October 2025, my vehicle broke down. I had been saving money from my job to buy a new one before starting school in January. Shortly after that, in November 2025, my son Braxton, who is 8 years old, began experiencing severe medical complications in his brain where his brain pressure was causing him double vision, and severe excruciating pain in his head.

Since then, Braxton has undergone multiple surgeries involving his brain, including the placement of a stent and shunt, as well as several spinal taps to relieve pressure and pain. Most recently, he required emergency spinal surgery due to complications in his spine. I had to rush him into the hospital because he was in so much pain, couldn't breathe and was hyperventilating. It was the scariest thing as a mother to experience because Braxton kept telling me he didn't want to die. It was very difficult to watch him go through this and not be able to do anything but to try help keep him calm.

Braxton has been in such excruciating pain, pain that no child should ever have to feel. Watching him suffer has been one of the most emotionally devastating experiences of my life. He is a brave little warrior, with more strength than I can put into words, and he has already been through so much at such a young age.

As his mother, seeing him in constant pain has broken me more times than I can count. There have been moments where I felt like I couldn’t go on... but I do, every single day, because I love my son with my whole heart and I will never stop fighting for him. During this time, I had to use the money I had saved for a vehicle to cover the costs of staying in Edmonton so I could be close to Braxton, while still paying bills, buying groceries, and arranging childcare for my other children , Tasia, Saneya, Viola, and Logan back home in Maskwacîs.

My mom has been an incredible support and has stayed with me at the hospital. She has also lent me her vehicle so I can travel back and forth between Maskwacîs and Edmonton. Unfortunately, her vehicle is now making concerning noises and is in need of repair.

Right now, finances are extremely tight. I am a full-time student and can no longer continue my part-time job, or bead for extra income like I used to. Reaching out for help is not something I ever imagined doing, but at this point, I feel like I have no other choice. A reliable vehicle would make a huge difference for my children and me. It would allow me to safely travel to the hospital, attend school, care for my family, and continue pushing forward toward graduation.

If you are able to help, share, or keep us in your prayers and thoughts, it would mean more than I can ever express. Thank you for taking the time to read our story and for supporting my family during this incredibly difficult time.

With love and gratitude,

Janine