Since 2018, Ashley Ghostkeeper has developed her career with Advanced Paramedic LTD (APL). Starting out as an Emergency Medical Responder (EMR), Ashley is now a Primary Care Paramedic (PCP) who has gained valuable experience through the various roles she’s had.
“Right now, I’m casual with APL and work at the Edmonton Racetrack doing stand-by,” said Ashley. “I was ground ambulance in Cadotte Lake for three years, which was an amazing experience, and I did some flight transfers and stand-by during the fires in the spring of 2023.”
Along with being an excellent PCP, Ashley has followed her passions and has pursued a career within the music industry.
Her song, “Future Me” landed in the number one spot on the Indigenous Music Countdown in 2023, and although being a PCP is widely different than being a singer and songwriter, Ashley’s motivation has remained the same.
“I love being a paramedic and helping others, but I feel I can also help others through my music. That is my medicine to give and I am grateful to walk this path,” said Ashley.
According to Ashley, pursuing her skills as a singer and songwriter took a huge leap of faith, support from those closest to her, and recognizing that life is too short to not go after the things you want.
“My career as a PCP helped me see life from a different perspective and see how precious life truly is,” said Ashley. “Having encouragement from my family and realizing I don’t want to have any regrets is what ultimately pushed me to pursue music.”
Having a background in paramedics has helped shape Ashley’s perspective on life as a musician, and her previous experiences have given her a glimpse into why it’s important to do the things that mean the most to you – even if they seem daunting.
“I’ve met all kinds of people on the job and hearing their stories have taught me a lot. Most people don’t chase their dreams or do what truly makes them happy. A lot of people will stay in their comfort zones,” said Ashley. “Chasing a dream is one of the scariest, riskiest things you can do, but the reward is always worth it.”
Having experienced the intensity of emergency response work, Ashley has found there are some similar emotions involved when performing on stage in front of large crowds.
“It’s quite scary putting yourself on stage and singing vulnerable songs. It’s a different feeling, but the adrenaline rush is similar. There’s always a sense of accomplishment afterwards that feels great though,” said Ashley.
Thanks to her time at APL, Ashley has found that there are many skills she acquired as a PCP that have proven to be useful in her music career.
“I feel I am great at connecting with people of all ages and backgrounds. As a paramedic, in order to take care of your patient or their family you must build trust and rapport,” said Ashley. “You learn how to approach people in a way that makes them feel seen and heard and I now use these skills in both my music career and daily life.”
When it comes to giving advice to those who may be interested in ge_ng involved within the music industry, Ashley recommends pu_ng yourself out there and trusting the process.
“Just start. Once you do you will figure it out as you go,” said Ashley. “Get out and play as much as you can, even if it’s at open mics, playing for your family in the kitchen, or busking at a local market – you’ve got this!”
As her songs become even more popular and her musical career continues to take off, Ashley has found that pursuing her goals has not only affected her, but also those around her.
“When you chase your dream, it will not only heal you, but it will also heal your family, your lineage, and your community,” said Ashley. “I’m not just doing this for myself, I truly want to leave the world better than it was before.”