Author and educator Jackson Katz advocates the ‘bystander approach’ to sexual and domestic violence prevention
Jackson Katz is a social theorist, educator, and anti-sexism activist who says that gendered understandings and behaviour are heavily influenced by media and popular culture. Katz is a major advocate of the ‘bystander approach’ to gender violence and bullying prevention. (more…)
Stories and reflections encourage and support readers in living vibrantly through wholeheartedly embracing life’s challenges
Gail Boulanger is a coach and counselor for “vibrant living” in Nanoose Bay on Vancouver Island. She says that vibrant living infuses our lives with energy and enthusiasm just as sun infuses the day with light and warmth. But Gail also says that vibrant living rests on a foundation of healthy grieving. (more…)
The City of Nanaimo has had emails and Facebook posts with concerns about supportive housing projects studied and summarized
The planning for social housing in Nanaimo—as in cities and towns in many parts of Canada—has been accompanied by concerns from neighbours in areas where the facilities will be built. NIMBYism is common, but so are fears (whether real or not) about what impacts social housing projects might have on neighbourhoods. (more…)
“The expertise gained from lived experience should be complemented by professional expertise, not overwhelmed by it. All stand to benefit from ensuring that there are as few imbalances as possible in the distribution of power throughout the mental health system”
By Howard Chodos, Ph.D.
Before I began working on health and mental health policy just over a decade ago, I was trying to earn my living (not very successfully) as an academically trained political theorist. In the course of my work, I had thought a lot about the nature of power and how it is exercised. Now, after having been a lead author on the three major Canadian documents on mental health policy, I am glad to have the chance to draw on both parts of my training and experience to contribute to your discussion. (more…)
Ria Voros’ debut novel uses a special relationship to explore the grief of a child whose parents were killed in an accident
For thirteen-year-old Jakob, the summer is looking pretty bleak. A few months before, he was in a car accident that killed both his parents, and though he can’t remember exactly what happened, he can’t stop turning it over in his mind. (more…)
Lea Ross and Bev Cole have been working to help people in a Nepalese village to obtain water for its schools
After organizing several treks to Nepal after her first visit there twenty years ago, Lea Ross has “fallen in love” with the country and its people. Lea told the Nanaimo Daily News that she now wants to “give back to the country that has given me so much.” Her Nepalese guide for six treks had invited her to Seduwa, his home village, and a project was born. (more…)
