storying – coyote chalk

A Place for Resilience

I teach at the University. Perhaps because my work is with first year Education students, but every semester I find myself thinking deeply about my educational journey. A few years ago, I spent a great deal of time thinking about the children who I have lived alongside who have been affected by a suicide experience. Though I can recall every… (read more)

For Home

Last year, Jessy Lee, Alan, and I spent Christmas at the cabin. We were there for Christmas Eve, Jessy Lee setting out cookies for Santa, watching Jess open her stocking, sharing a turkey dinner with Mom and Dad, and leaving early on the morning of December 26th. We returned to the calm of our home, and that holiday later met… (read more)

Black-Eyed Girl

I adore an untrimmed tree. Bushes that are ragged and messy. Nature at play. Like we do every second Sunday, Labor Day Sunday Alan and I had brunch with my mom and dad. That weekend though, Alan, my parents, and I had several messy items to discuss. We met at mom’s condo before heading out to breakfast. The discussion, though… (read more)

Weave: a Language of Why

In mid-July, I attended a multi-day workshop focused on basic counselling skills. We were a small group: the educator, the school counsellor, the doctor, the mental health worker, the social worker, the community support person, the psychologist, the bus driver, the insurance company support person. Each of us front line workers. Our conversations were rich, meaningful, and helped to drive… (read more)

Light & 2018 Photo Story

As many know I have been diligent about capturing a photo a day for a long while. However, five years ago with dad’s stroke my practice shifted. What once had been a project, became personal. A way of being in the world. Photography became a way for me to calm the universe, to slow time, and to attend to my… (read more)

Our Longest Game

~ Mid November I received a message from Mike, Football Mike. He wanted to let me know that he was not renewing the Saskatchewan Roughriders season tickets this year, and would I like them back. “Give me a few weeks.” ~ This March marks five years since Dad suffered the hemorrhagic stroke that changed his life and our family. That… (read more)

My Plan

17 months ago I successfully defended my thesis. Shortly afterwards, I sought a new role. I also felt, in a way, that I had earned one. No work change happened and what I came to understand were some truths: To the co-participants who lived alongside me, to my family, to those who lived and taught alongside me, the work mattered… (read more)

Among Snow Berry

When I was young I learned that snow berry are sacred plants. I learned that their berries hold the spirits of our ancestors. I learned that to sit among snow berry is to be home, among family. This teaching, given to me much from my dad and my sister, has always proved deeply comforting to me. ~ When I was… (read more)

Grateful for Our Circle

Our school year began on a Tuesday. We had four days together that first week, students and me. Four days. I am a Grad Coach this year. I have my own program and many new faces alongside me everyday. The structure and design of our classes and days is different than my previous years in my school and in an… (read more)

Keeping Talking

~ My school division recently launched a locally developed course, Mental Health Studies 20L. This course is designed specifically to meet the needs of learners’ in our division. The course addresses positive mental health, common mental health challenges, understanding stigma in relation to mental illness, and mental health and addictions. Teachers are nudged to take up the task of offering… (read more)