People First Media program archive
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“A country full of opportunities”

July 14th, 2011 | Posted by pfmarchive in uncategorized - (Comments Off on “A country full of opportunities”)

Aden Ahmed settles into life in Nanaimo, far away from his Somalian origins, in a “country full of opportunities”

Aden Ahmed is the second student brought to Nanaimo through the World University Service of Canada Student Refugee Program, which has helped more than 1,000 young men and women pursue education and resettle in this country as permanent residents. He has just completed a year in business studies at Vancouver Island University. VIU students have contributed financially to make Aden’s education there possible. (more…)

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“The walls are alive” in Toronto

July 14th, 2011 | Posted by pfmarchive in uncategorized - (0 Comments)

A patient-built wall in Toronto stands as a monument and an emotional manuscript, and stars in a play

In 1860, patients at an Ontario psychiatric hospital helped to build a brick wall that would conceal them and their lives from the surrounding world for more than one hundred years. The wall still exists as both a monument and emotional manuscript to the lives lived at what then was called an ‘asylum’. This week, during Toronto Mad Pride, The Friendly Spike Theatre Band performs “The Walls are Alive” at the outdoor site of the patient-built wall. (more…)

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Unique, soul-stirring, entrancing

July 14th, 2011 | Posted by pfmarchive in uncategorized - (Comments Off on Unique, soul-stirring, entrancing)

Eric Harper’s musical journey began in Portugal, continued in Europe and L.A. and then led to Vancouver Island

Award-winning musician and performer Eric Harper’s musical education began in Portugal and then continued in Europe and the U.S. He has performed all over the world in many countries including Spain, Portugal, Switzerland, France, China, Israel, the U.S. and Canada. He recently appeared at a fundraiser for the nonprofit Columbian Centre Society, joining several other performers in support of programs for people experiencing mental illness. (more…)

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The enjoyment of ‘doing art’

July 7th, 2011 | Posted by pfmarchive in uncategorized - (Comments Off on The enjoyment of ‘doing art’)

Anne Turner’s journey with art continues, as she opens a show at Studio 366 and turns herself ‘inside out’

Anne Turner became involved with art therapy in 2003 at Other Hand Studio in Parksville, B.C. Anne is an artist because she says she enjoys “doing art.” But Anne also uses art to help her combat severe anxiety and depression. Over the years she has moved from collages to painting with oils to chalk pastel work. She’s just launched a show of her work at Studio 366 in Nanaimo. (more…)

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Using art to express and heal yourself

July 7th, 2011 | Posted by pfmarchive in uncategorized - (Comments Off on Using art to express and heal yourself)

Mehdi Naïmi says that good art therapy empowers people, strengthens relationships, brings peace of heart, and joy to life

Long before there was “art therapy,“ artists explained themselves with their inner images as references to reality [Wikipedia]. Now considered a mental health discipline, art therapy combines the creative process and psychotherapy, facilitating self-exploration and understanding. Using imagery, colour, and shape as part of this creative therapeutic process, thoughts and feelings may be expressed that would otherwise be difficult to articulate. (more…)

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Musician traveller back on the road

June 30th, 2011 | Posted by pfmarchive in uncategorized - (0 Comments)

Simon Walls has resumed his cross-Canada pilgrimage, a journey focused on music, meditation, and meaning

After a winter’s pause, singer-songwriter Simon Walls has resumed his cross-Canada walk, setting out from Toronto at the end of May, and heading for Canada’s eastern coast. Simon has been blogging about his pilgrimage, his music, and his experiences online. The coast-to-coast trek developed in the aftermath of a friend’s suicide—and a similar pilgrimage across Spain. (more…)

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