Story is a powerful way to build compassion and bridge understanding between cultures. Story has the power to heal as well as teach.

Beyond Boundaries · Essays and tidbits from Nancy Bo Flood

Marilyn Dumont poem

Many Ways We Tell Our Stories: Poetry in Public Places

December 24, 2019

An homage to storytelling in Thunder Bay, Ontario, quoting from “The Dimness of Mothers and Daughters,” by Marilyn Dumont. From the plaque (because it may be hard to read): “This…

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food line

Children’s Rights

December 17, 2019

What rights do children have? If you could, what rights would you give to every child—every child—during this sacred time of year? Imagine this, the United Nations in December of…

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“Onward, onward!”

December 3, 2019

I became absorbed with Vincent van Gogh’s paintings at “his” museum in Amsterdam. I had never seen his work close-up in person. Such rich color, such captured energy. And faces…

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Many Ways We Tell Our Stories: The Trees

November 26, 2019

“Sometimes a tree can tell you more than can be read in a book.”  —Carl Jung Do trees make sound? Do they talk amongst themselves? Do they talk to us?…

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Are You There, God? It's Me, Margaret.

Banned Books,  Banned Topics:
Prayer, still forbidden in children’s literature

September 26, 2019

Times have greatly changed the rules for writing in children’s literature. Sex is okay but periods … maybe. Swearing, exploring gender identity, exploring sexuality – go right ahead. But spirituality? Tip-toe with caution.

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Mayday

Many Ways We Tell Our Stories:
Giant Puppets, Giants Stories, Dangerous Ideas

September 17, 2019

We stump across the stage or parade down your street.
Hear us ROAR our terrible words.
Listen. Laugh. Perhaps shiver.

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Many Ways We Tell Our Stories: Street Art

September 10, 2019

Some stories are too big to put on paper or canvas. This week, we take a look at street art, art that involves the community.

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Many Ways We Tell Our Stories: American Sign Language

August 29, 2019

I am deaf. I cannot hear anything, not even my own voice. But every day I share my stories—what I am thinking, what I have learned, what worries me. I listen to others with my eyes; I speak with my hands, my whole face, my body language, too. American Sign Language is like speaking a silent song. Watch.

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