I feel as though we all shared our pain, whether it be in that moment or in the past. We all connected/bonded.

Whether we shared our story or not we all took something from it that we needed.

Walking into this I was very closed off and sad/angry for how my life was going in the past week; but walking out of this I feel like I’m going to go home and do something productive rather than laying in bed.”

Thank you for helping me see something in myself that I didn’t see before.”

Workshop participant - Kirkland Lake District Composite School

“Thru my own experience in Art, I heard the same teachings. I’ve always felt that expressing art thru emotion is the most effective way to learn art. I enjoyed what knowledge I did learn from this teaching. I wouldn’t change a thing.

Many thanx, Meegwetch!”

workshop participant Beaverhouse First Nation

“Really loved the afternoon!!

The suitcase at the beginning was very inspiring.

Will start a suitcase of my own. LOL!!

Thank you for everything!”

workshop participant — Beaverhouse First Nation

“When I was presented with attending your workshop I was unsure of what was about to happen, or what I was going to experience.

This was one of the most eye-opening experiences.

You have a very special gift of touching others even without knowing the back story.

I thank you as I am going through my own journey (which is presenting some obstacles) and you have changed my perception of what I am feeling and how I am dealing with it.

Wonderful experience. Thank you.”

Hey, I just wanted to say thank you for making me do this workshop.

I know I seemed like a crank ass but it really did help.

I learned so much and it really made me feel less alone.

I feel like, just for a minute, I forgot life sucked.

So thank you.

“The activity presented was very interesting, inspiring.

The game with the suitcase was inspiring.

You are a good motivator.

Thank you very much”

(workshop participant, Beaverhouse First Nation)

“This experience opened my eyes to other people’s stories.

Even though I’m not interested in art, I thought this workshop was worthwhile.”

(workshop participant, Kirkland Lake District Composite School)

“The handcuffs on top of the child’s dress made me think of an old friend I know who did time for touching a child, but now, having officially paid his debt to society, he cannot forgive himself for what he did.”

workshop participant — Kirkland Lake

“After hearing her story . . . I felt I could be her friend.”

“Like blossoms opening, listening in on the conversations gave opportunity to explore the possibilities to a variety of ideas of self-expression.

I was this self-expression that I found enjoyable.

Working in a different medium than I am familiar with pushed me to new ground.”

Chief Marcia Brown Martel (Beaverhouse First Nation)

“ I feel like it was nice to see all these random objects in a series of different ways.

A different perspective seen from every angle.

I liked seeing how other people think/feel about them.”

(workshop participant — Kirkland Lake District Composite School)

“As I heard the stories of others, I was then able to see my story.

I had to get through my past childhood to heal.”

workshop participant — Canadian Mental Health Association, Cochrane Temiskaming Branch

“I found the suitcase to be ‘weird’ at first, but once we got going with different meanings and different views, I felt more open-minded and got chills from people’s descriptions and views of the items.

I found the experience quite healing and fun!!”

(workshop participant — Canadian Mental Health Association, Cochrane Temiskaming Branch)

“I saw so many possibilities within the suitcase.

When items were placed on the table, it was like they came to life.

The removal of the items can either enrich or deplete the suitcase, depending on your perception.

Interesting exercise.”

(workshop participant, Canadian Mental Health Association Cochrane Temiskaming)

“It made me see that different things can mean lots of things.

One object can mean one hundred things and make you see it in new ways.

I’ve learned that a teddy bear can mean a happy or a dark secret from someone’s life.”

(workshop participant — Kirkland Lake District Composite School

“The wear and tear of the suitcase represents the fact that you’ll get tossed and dirty but you will survive and those bumps just add more value to who you are in the end.”

(workshop participant — Canadian Mental Health Association, Cochrane Temiskaming Branch)

“The old suitcase reminded me of antiques. Someone who has lived a great life and nothing has stopped them.”

(workshop participant — Canadian Mental Health Association, Cochrane Temiskaming Branch)