The complexity of Canada Day 2021: the tension of unmarked graves near residential schools and the generosity of Canadians during the pandemic

Canada Day 2021

It has never been so complicated to come upon July 1, Canada Day, as this year. Celebrating “Canada Day 2021” brings complexity like never before to Canadians who are both simultaneously: grateful for all this country has given them, and are horrified at the emerging news reports of unmarked graves at the sites of residential …

Fears on the COVID-19 home stretch

Fears on the COVID-19 home stretch

The light at the end of the COVID-19 tunnel is getting bigger. You’d think that we can all hardly wait to be released from restriction! We are on the cusp of widespread vaccinations–whoo hoo! Mostly. If you have hesitancies anticipating the end of COVID-19, you are not alone There are quiet conversations daily about the …

A complex PTSD trauma survivor proclaims: If I can wear a mask, so can you

Wear a mask

Very occasionally, I have a conversation with someone where I say, “What you just said is important. If you write about this, I’d publish it on our website.” Usually, that’s as far as it goes. I had a conversation recently with a survivor of complex trauma whose courage and conviction blew me away. And so …

You cannot shame or belittle people into changing their behavior. Brené Brown

An open letter to Premier Pallister

Dear Premier Pallister, I looked online yesterday to see about an interview I did with Global News on Friday about the recent horrible assault on the liquor store employee in Tyndall Park. I stumbled upon an article that mentions the two of us. The article quoted you as saying: “Ultimately, it’s just got to be …

Of Bird Feeders and Trauma

There was about a year in my life when I was in very close contact with a trauma survivor. Despite the fact that I had known him a long time, it seemed he didn’t trust me. I would ask him, “How was your day?” as part of friendly conversation, he would suggest that I was …