(She/Her)

I am a Nakota, Cree, and Métis poet from Paul First Nation. My relationship to writing

poetry developed to empower and reclaim how I tell my stories by changing my relationship to my experiences of loss.

I am student studying Psychology and Secondary Education at the University of Alberta. My personal educational goals are to help support members from my community with their mental health and the development of community care that enables the reclamation of their culture and language.

Approach:

Using poetry and prose to explore feelings of loss, helping support the reclamation

of an individual’s empowerment by nurturing their self-expression to tell their stories

Loss experiences:

Death of a parent
Death of cousins
Death of grandparents
Loss of identity

(She/They)

I'm often called into people’s lives during times of change, to make space for big, tender emotions, and to find ways for us all to be heard and seen. Guiding people through shadow is one of my greatest gifts, and we can explore many ways of art and placemaking. If you knew all the things I know, what would you create for yourself?

Professionally, I'm an award-winning designer and event planner/producer, and I work with humanitarians, businesses, community groups, and charities. When life gets messy, I circle the wagons, summon reinforcements, curate our playlist, and throw an unforgettable epic party that brings people together and reaffirms our bonds.

Approach:

Painting, drawing, collage
Photography
Jewellery
Co-creating space and ritual
Sharing stories and myths

Loss Experiences:

Loss of culture, heritage, and language
Disability, mental illness
Complex PTSD
Miscarriages
Critical Illness
Deaths of family members

(She/Her)

"Music is my life and my livelihood and has been one of the most important things to me for as long as I can remember. As a professional, I perform solo and with my band, and I teach piano, vocals, guitar, music theory and songwriting to people of all ages. But as a human, music and music-making is woven into my life as intrinsically as breathing.

Approach:

Anything involving sound and music is on the table. I can play and sing with you and/or for you, I can learn your favourite songs and/or we can write new ones together, or we can just make noise. Whatever feels desirable and cathartic to you.

Loss Experiences:

Loss of friendships and partnerships
Loss of mentors
Lack of connection to my roots and ancestry

(He/Him)

Rob Taylor is a seasoned music industry professional with 51 years of experience, holding various roles including songwriter, industrial consultant, and festival organizer, with expertise in strategic planning, sound design, and public speaking.

(He/Him)

Hi I’m Ross. I’m 56. I have 7 children, and I’m separated now.  I like helping people. Sharing my experiences or theirs. 

I’ve had lots of pain and loss. That’s another reason why I’m here: to hear how other people are dealing with their pain, and hear how their suffering is going. I’m half blind, and don’t have a job. 

Approach:

I’d definitely always be there for whatever it is
I’ve been through a lot of stuff 
I’m a pretty good problem solver 

Loss Experiences:

Lots of loss: people, things that have changed
Lots of pain inside 
Loss of my daughter 
Disconnection from family 

(She/Her)

My practice is rooted in what I call empathetic making; the transformative care of personal histories, inherited archives, their handwritten corresponding records, mental illness, coping mechanisms, grief and healing, and how it is embedded in our material worlds. When I'm not working in the studio, I embed myself in non-profits and artist-run centers, working as an advocate for creating safe and accessible spaces for communities who are looking to find wellness through the act of making. My personal work includes printmaking, drawing, ceramics and installation, with a heavy emphasis in lithographic methods, but am trained in most forms of traditional fine art. 

Approach:

To facilitate the manipulation and transformation of everyday objects that hold significance in individuals lives to help them on their individual grief journeys.

Connecting grief and materiality through visual language

Loss Experiences:

Death of a parent 
Death of close friends
Loss of childhood/innocence
Mental illness/psychosis