Trillium Book Awards Author Reading 2015

An Amazing Woman

Submitted by dellis on March 18, 2008 - 9:58am
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An amazing woman came to our town this past weekend. Her name is Saidat, and she did a workshop at the Girls Power Camp, a weekend camp run by folks from Women's Services and the local mental health centre. Saidat's program 'combines music, movement, and motivation in a high-energy presentation about self-esteem and character development'. She uses hip-hop dancing and positive messages to pump the kids up with a sense of their own strength and capabilities.
She does anti-bullying workshops and leadership events with kids of all ages, going around to schools, getting them moving and thinking about how they treat themselves and each other. She believes 'each person needs to take responsibility for their own thoughts and actions'.
The girls at the camp got a lot out of their time with her. Saidat also has a cd out of music with the kind of messages she imparts at her workshops.
Saidat's website is www.saidat.ca and she can be booked for events via her email address, saidat@saidat.ca It was a real gift to have her in the town.

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Date
Mon March 17, 2008

shelter nights

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Submitted by dellis on March 17, 2008 - 9:00am

shelter nights

Did a couple more night shifts at the shelter over the weekend. A local Lions Club had done a food drive for us, and the entranceway was piled high with pasta, cannned goods, cookies, all sorts of food. The shelves are bursting! Some of the food will be used right in the shelter, and some will be made into food-boxes to give to women as they are leaving to start their lives again in their own place. Every item means that hunger is staved off for them and their kids, for at least a little while. It's great being part of a small town - the town really gets behind the shelter and other local initiatives like the food bank and the free Christmas dinners - my Dad and I served at one last Christmas, and there were tons of volunteers for cooking and serving and clean-up.

Deborah Ellis

Deborah Ellis is the acclaimed author of over 18 books and the recipient of numerous literary awards, including the Vicky Metcalfe Award for a body of work, the Governor General’s Award, the Africana Book Award, the Canadian Library Association Book of the Year Honour, and the Red Cedar Award. She has traveled the world to meet with and hear the stories of children marginalized by war, illness, and poverty, and has recorded their stories for others to read and learn from.

Go to Deborah Ellis’s Author Page