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Action Homelessness Indigenous Social justice Wisdom Writing

Giwaabamin – I see you

In Zulu, a primary greeting is Sawubona, which means “I see you.” In Ojibwe, it translates to Giwaabamin. We all need to be seen and heard. Sometimes this requires us looking beyond our own perceptions and misconceptions to see what is truly possible.

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Lessons Wellness Writing

Coming and going

All the comings and goings of life sometimes make us just want to stay in the place we’re in.

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Courage Lessons Wisdom Writing

Good enough?

While it can sometimes feel hopeless, there’s a place in the world of words for all of us.

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Action Family Mental Health Wellness Wisdom

Sometimes it can be hard to give and ask for help

We all need help at times, but sometimes it’s hard to ask for it…and sometimes it’s hard to give.

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Courage Family Wisdom

Being a “Proud” mom

My eldest child, Everette (they/he) is a force to be reckoned with – always has been. To say they are my pride and joy would be an understatement.

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Community Family First Nations Indigenous Lessons

Welcome Home

The Sagkeeng Sundance “Family” gathered for a photo after the ceremony, held this past June. You can find me, in my beautiful skirt, off to the right.

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Writing

Walk with me on the “Coldest” night of the year

Several years ago, new to living in Kenora full-time, I joined a group of passionate people who had just helped defeat an anti-loitering bylaw that would have made homelessness a crime. Over the past few years, sadly things have not improved for those living on the streets as evidenced by the growing number of people […]

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Community Family Mental Health Pandemic Seasonal Volunteerism Wellness Wisdom Writing

Bringing in 2024 with a smile

A quiet new year’s evening with just the two of us was inspiration to think about where I’ve been and where I hope to go.

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Giving Seasonal

Home. Where the heart is.

I’ve been thinking a lot about home this past year – the home that lives in our hearts and for many of us, the place of belonging that shelters and welcomes us when we need it most. (Pssst…this is actually the main theme of a poetry collection I’m writing for release in 2024!) Over the […]

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Writing

Kenora gathering looks at the path forward for reconciliation

“As survivors we talk with our scars, ask us about our scars, we’ll talk to you about them.” This was one of the powerful statements that emerged during the Azhe-mino gahbewewin/Reconciliation Kenora Research Project and Debwewin Truth Project meeting, held at the Super 8 in Kenora, Ontario on Thursday, October 12.

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Writing

A lesson in love

The image of my childhood school burning the ground has stirred something in my heart.

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Social justice Stories Volunteerism Writing

Speak from the heart

A day when a single, heartfelt decision changed everything.

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Lessons Wellness Wisdom Writing

A small victory

The beauty I find around me is not strange or foreign, but often overlooked in its everyday presence because it is always here, because it always shows up. I feel a kinship in that.

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Writing

Solo Walk

I took a walk, unencumbered by the usual weights I carry…and I arrived in an unexpected, beautiful place.

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Lessons Lifestyle Nature Seasonal Writing

The gift of surprise

This past year as we’ve emerged from COVID isolation, I’ve been looking for opportunities to laugh more and generally just have more fun. This was a day when all I could do was laugh at myself.

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Wellness Wisdom Women Writing

Maybe this time

A last-minute fitness class opens my eyes to some new possibilities. Maybe this time it will be different.