retreats

  • Journaling in the Garden, Bayfield, Ontario . July 2003
  • Remembering the Goddess: Mapping Your Spiritual Journey, Bridgewater Retreat, Tweed, Ontario . July 2000
  • Still Life Retreat, Durham, Ontario . July 1999
  • A Flying Mermaids Weekend of Creativity & Renewal for Women with mixed-media artist Andrea Bird and sound practitioner Ann-Marie Boudreau, Drew House, Elora, Ontario February 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005

compassionate circles for caregivers

  • Embodying Home (with Ann-Marie Boudreau), a circle integrating, sound, breath work, movement and writing for the women of the First Nations community of Bella Bella, B.C. August 2006
  • Caledon Community Services at Cedar Glen, Bolton, Ontario . June 2003

community circles

  • Embodying Recovery, a one-day experiential workshop, for the mental health community in Nanaimo, B.C., October 2007 and May 2008
  • Weekly life skills circle for Open Minds Open Windows, friends for initiatives to the reduce stigma attached to mental health issues, Nanaimo, B.C. January 2006 to December 2008
  • Writing circles as a Creative Mentor for Spark of Brilliance, a community-based initiative that fosters healing through the arts for people who are experiencing mental health issues, and their supportive allies, Guelph, Ontario. March 2003 to May 2005
  • A writing circle with a focus on self-compassion for the Canadian Mental Health Association’s Mental Health Week, Guelph, Ontario. May 2003

custom circles & retreats

  • Martha Randall, Nia Black Belt Teacher & Trainer, with friends and associates, Toronto, Ontario. January 2003

conferences & presentations

  • Speaker: “Soul Ceremonies: Poetry as a Sacred, Contemplative Practice” at Beacon Unitarian Church, Coquitlam, B.C. January 2010
  • Workshop Presenter at Living Well Dying Well Conference, Waterloo, Ontario . October 2004
  • Speaker: “Creativity & Renewal” at Unitarian Fellowship, Hamilton, Ontario . July 2004
  • Presenter: “Mapping Your Spiritual Journey” at Tapestry of Women Conference, Nakoda Lodge, Morley, Alberta . November 2002

one-day circles

  • Poetry as a Doorway In . . . and a Welcome Home, Bethlehem Retreat Centre, Nanaimo, B.C., monthly, February to May, 2014
  • Words in Progress for Writing Warriors, Nanaimo, B.C. , July 2013 and June 2014 (weekend)
  • Writing the Labyrinth (with Meg Hansen), SeaCloud in Saltair B&B. 2006
  • Yes, You Are Creative!, West End Community Centre, Guelph, Ontario and WonderWorks, Toronto, Ontario. Various dates in 2002 and 2003
  • Meeting the Muse, Eramosa Eden, Eden Mills, Ontario. August 2001
  • Poem Making for Everyone, Eramosa Eden, Eden Mills, Ontario. July 2000 and at The Flying Mermaids Studio, Guelph, Ontario . November 2000

circle series

  • Remembering Our Earth Mother: Remembering Ourselves
  • Writing Life
  • Mapping Your Spiritual Journey
  • Dancing with the Muse
  • Writing Your Way Home

classes

  • Passion to Paper at Elder College, Vancouver Island University, Nanaimo, B.C.
  • Writing Your Life Stories, Vancouver Island University, Nanaimo. B.C.
  • Creative Writing through The Wellington Centre for Continuing Education, Guelph, Ontario

circle and writing mentors

Patrick Lane at master poets’ retreats held at Glenairley and Ocean Wilderness in Sooke, B.C. and at Rivendell on Bowen Island, B.C. (2006 to 2010); Ivan E. Coyote and Sheri-D Wilson who gave workshops on Gabriola Island and in Nanaimo, B.C. (2008 and 2009); poetry retreats with Kim Rosen at Sleeping Dog Farm in Victoria, B.C. (2007 and 2008); poetry workshop with Susan Musgrave at the Victoria School of Writing; Christina Baldwin and Ann Linnea of PeerSpirit Inc who facilitated a circle practicum in Barrie, Ontario for five days in April 2002. Writing workshops led by Lee Maracle, Carol Bolt, Helen Humphreys, Teri Degler and Janice Kulyk-Keefer. Acting classes with Catherine Caines, Artistic Director of Soulfire Theatre, in Nanaimo, B.C.