Stones: “Keep One With You and Think of Me”
“Keep one with you and think of me” - I was lucky to have my Dad’s spirit reach out to me 15 years after his death. This is a powerful moment of healing and memories for the man who raised me, as well as personal growth.
Identifying Your Positionality in Community Based Work
When doing community based work, have you identified, and do you reveal your Positionality? What is Positionality, and why is it important… and what is yours?
Your Indigenous Relations Strategy Needs to be More Than “Sounds Good”
Everything you do within your business, corporation, or organization must consider the impacts on Indigenous communities. If you cannot understand that statement, that is a strong indicator you are living with a strong knowledge gap. Why "sounds good" is not enough for your Indigenous Relations Strategy.
How Losing My Memory Helped Me Find Myself Again
10 months ago I lost my short-term memory after a seizure. It made me really angry at the time, but in my recovery, I began recognizing it as somewhat of a blessing. Here is my story.
Are Historians “Failed Scientists?”
In 1970, historical analyst David Hackett Fischer argued that History is a “problem solving discipline”, going so far as to call the discipline "antiethical". Has historiography, or writing about history evolved since then?
Thoughts to Actions to Outcomes: Anne-Marie’s Planning Tool is Now Available for Purchase
Thoughts to Actions to Outcomes: A Tool for Capturing & Acting Upon Your Intentions, Habits, Joys, and Challenges, conceptualized by Anne-Marie E. Fischer, M.Ed. of Words for Impact tool is intended to be a weekly planning resource, journal, habit tracker, and capturer of all those important moments in life that you’ll want to refer to every day, multiple times a day. It will also act as a record of the progress, learning, and achievements you have made within a year as you fill the pages.
The “Uncanny Valley” of AI-Generated Content on LinkedIn
Do you get an unsettling, eerie feeling when you read AI-Generated content? There is a legitimate reason why you may feel that way…
Can You Be a Proud Canadian While Knowing Canada’s True History? A Canada Day Reflection
Is it possible to still be a proud Canadian once you learn more about Canada’s genocidal history? My personal reflections on being Catholic, miseducated, and Canadian, and my journey to re-define my Canadian identity through Indigenous Relations.
The 4 “Ds” of Honouring the Protected Rights of Indigenous Peoples
In what ways can non-Indigenous people contribute to decolonizing, dismantling, deconstructing, and democratizing systems? A reflection from a settler for National Indigenous Peoples Day in Canada.
Honouring the Validity of Oral Histories in Canada
What is oral history, and how has it become a part of Canada’s way of ensuring that the Constitutional rights of Indigenous peoples are protected?
Review of “Working Effectively with Indigenous Peoples®” Self-Guided Training
A review of “Working Effectively with Indigenous Peoples(R)” course by Indigenous Relations Academy, with a recommendation that non-Indigenous organizations consider taking this learning opportunity to underscore every Canadian’s duty to work towards Truth & Reconciliation.
Understanding the First Nations Principles of OCAP®
Why is it important for settlers to recognize and understand Indigenous Data Sovereignty?
Reflecting on Your “Life Rhythm”
Chris Bailey attributes his choice to living in Stanley Park for 34 years to his “life rhythm”. Photo from Global News.
An Ode to My Favourite Mentor: The Late Bill Slapin
Sometimes you just meet someone whose impact on you lasts a lifetime. This is a story about the late Bill Slapin, and how he continues to fuel the “gumption” behind Words for Impact’s work.
"No research on us, without us."
How can taking a Community Based Participatory Research (CBPR) approach to research on societies enrich data and conclusions?
Why I Don’t Trust Philanthropists
With funding being so critically important to the work of nonprofit organizations, why have I become so untrusting of philanthropists?
Knowledge Mobilization (KM) Democratizes Research & Data
What is knowledge mobilization and how does it democratize information and data? Why is it so crucial?
The Continued Importance of Open Access
What is open access and why is it important? How is lack of open access hindering our communities?
What is Inclusive Writing?
What is inclusive writing and why should your organization consider implementing it into your communications strategies?
"Sentipensante (Sensing/Thinking) & The Personas Educadas"
What could be possible if we embraced the concept of Sentipensante? Read about “Sensing Thinking” and the work of Prof. Laura Rendon.