Canada: The Great Lakes – Lake Superior – Thunder Bay – Northern Lights Waldorf Kindergarten – Arlene Thorn: by Elyse Pomeranz

11 Dec Canada: The Great Lakes – Lake Superior – Thunder Bay – Northern Lights Waldorf Kindergarten – Arlene Thorn: by Elyse Pomeranz

Part 1

One individual can create ripples. Arlene Thorn is an individual who creates ripples in the lives of many who have studied with her over the years, through many initiatives that support what is whole and well and full of wonder in our world.

I have been blessed to visit Thunder Bay four times now. Each time I was hosted graciously by Arlene and her family. I heard of her many initiatives to support study/teacher training/adult learning all based in Anthroposophy. And this fourth time I was given the joy of a visit to the very new Waldorf Kindergarten initiative that she has tenderly nurtured into the world.

The space is open, clear and simple. Every object is beautiful and meaningful. The teacher has a calm warmth and clarity in her movements and her speaking. This place is blessed with presence and a feeling of joy.

All support in thoughts and also donations to this wonderful work are well placed and will bear fruit of the most essential kind. Children who are here will grow up healthy and ready to serve.

And they will then be the individuals creating ripples.

Part 2

I have been visiting Thunder Bay for the last three years. I work with a community called Blue Sky Healing Community Centre, founded by Cindy Crowe. She is reimagining a path to healing for Indigenous individuals in relationship with and amongst the whole community. Her centre offers many courses from traditional drum making to setting up a small business to spiritual painting practice. She invited me to bring the work I have been doing of communication using what Steiner termed Imaginative Cognition, with mature trees. I have worked with groups that include Indigenous and non-Indigenous individuals. I will return again next September for our third Tree Speak event. www.thetreeconversations.com

I am also working with a small community of Slate Falls. The school has 40 or so students from junior kindergarten to grade eight. There I bring story, painting and modeling to all of the age groups. The children have a powerful affinity for the artistic work and are filled with joy and satisfaction from working in this way. It is clear to me that Art, especially guided by Steiner’s principles of painting and sculpting, is medicine for the many ills in that community. Very gradually a trust and interest in this work is growing. I will return there again in September for the fourth consecutive year.

Èlyse Pomeranz