Vanessa Ferlaino is a two-time award-winning author, host of The Human Challenge, and founder of The Being Human Foundation. As a Certified 200-hr Mindfulness Teacher — Professional Level (CMT-P), she specializes in trauma-informed offerings and social justice. She holds numerous board positions and offers free mentorship to returning citizens with a history of incarceration. Vanessa is humbled by the recognition from national and international news outlets, including CTV, CityNews, and more.

In this, human: Expansive Edition, Vanessa revisits core themes of her award-winning book, human, five years later. With ripened wisdom and raw vulnerability, she challenges her own intentions, shares new revelations, and dives deeper into the vague experiences touched on in her previous work – and why she was unable to speak about them before. This edition features opening words by acclaimed mindfulness teacher, Hiro Demichelis; a foreword by Chip Skowron; a new introduction; the full first edition; and a hearty, all-encompassing reflection by the author.

“In exploring the depths of my inner world, I discovered something profound: deep within us, lies the entire world. I wrote this book to invite us all onto this journey of inner and outer transformation.” — Vanessa Ferlaino

Makayla Webkamigad was commissioned in 2023 to write for the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation.

“This poem is very special to me and is my first published piece.

I wrote this, as a love letter to my nieces, being truthful about our family, but also being gentle, in the important role of an auntie.

Nowadays there are a lot of negative connotations behind that word, Auntie.

I wanted to use it in the traditional way, the way I was taught. A crucial role in our family system as indigenous people. Sharing love, knowledge and teachings.

Thankful to my family, for the work they did, for the knowledge passed onto me so that I hold as much information as I can about my family history, and our history as Anishinaabe people. My grandparents who all attended residential school, my parents who both attended day schools, and the legacy of resiliency I was born into. A story that a lot of us share, a story so common for our families. All across turtle island.

Miigwech to TRC for entrusting me to continue my family’s work.

To all the nieces and nephews who have an auntie or uncle that loves and supports them in everything. The ones who are there, consistently.”

Alison McGauley was born and raised in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, and attended both Sir James Dunn C. & V.S. and the Sault Collegiate Institute. After earning a BAH in Psychology from the University of Guelph and a BEd from Western University, Alison began her teaching career in 2005. She earned her reading specialist certification and is currently a special education resource teacher.

“As an elementary teacher and children’s author, I work to inspire a love for books. My passion is creating stories with big heart for little readers. I aim to write entertaining and empowering books that resonate with children and caregivers.

As a person living with multiple chronic illnesses, (ulcerative colitis and ankylosing spondylitis) I hope to create many books that speak to children and families who are impacted by illness or disability.
When I’m not teaching, writing, reading, or networking about chronic illness, I enjoy family adventures and being surrounded by trees and wildlife in forests and trails nearby my home in the region of Waterloo, Ontario, where I live with my partner, two daughters, and Ragdoll cat.”

Shelly Nelson Bond has long been a writer as part of her academic career as a Professor in the Child and Youth Care Program at Sault College. And now she is a published author (Tagona Press) of her first children’s book, Daisy’s Journey, a compilation of three short stories that explore some of the mental health issues children and youth face that are now so prevalent in contemporary society. The illustrations that populate the book were first sketched by Shelly and with the help of her friend, painter and musician, Raymond Gassi, enhanced and then animated through the work of the Tagona Press graphics team.

Shelly has also written Grandparents’ Day, a journaling book, and is currently working on a non-fiction book, Beyond The Behaviour: Living With OCD.

Shelly studied Psychology at Algoma University, graduated 2010, and gained her Masters in Adult Education. Shelly calls Sault Ste. Marie her home but is originally from Hilton Beach on the shores of north Lake Superior.

Justin Jack Bear is a Metis-Anishinaabe Scottish-English Canadian entrepreneur born in Calgary, AB, grew up in Sault Ste Marie, ON, and is now based in Vancouver, BC. “Jack Bear” is a trade name honouring all of his cultures. He is a proud member of the Garden River First Nation in Ontario.

Justin is a former varsity athlete, now wearing many hats, and founded Jack Bear Legacy Pictures based in Vancouver, BC. He works in the film, entertainment and media industry, supporting and producing original indigenous stories from across Turtle Island. Justin co-created the series Sacred Defenders of the Universe (SDOTU) as an invitation for Indigenous peoples and communities to come forward and collaborate with their stories in an educational and entertaining way.

The mission behind the SDOTU series is to include and highlight the diversity and uniqueness of Indigenous peoples and nations from across the Americas – helping to immortalize the languages, oral histories and traditions through digital media for all future generations on Earth to acknowledge.

Justin’s mission to help individuals, teams and people breakthrough their own limiting beliefs in order to achieve their pursuit for passions, purpose, and excellence. After many years of professional life and spiritual coaching, mentorships, and collaborations, Justin shares some of his perspective, thought exercises and insights on creating the best possible version of your self. You can buy his two independently published books online at Amazon.com and Barnes and Noble.

Your Purpose Is Not Inside This Guide: It’s Just A Guide To Help You Breakthrough – Have you ever wondered, “What is my purpose in life?” Well, you will not find it in this book. But, let me offer you some proven “thought” exercises to help align yourself with success. If you can master your time, energy and thoughts, then you will create the greatest possible version of your self, in this very moment. In this guide, I will show you how to value your time and invest your energy, rather than spend it. You will learn how to let go of your past and manifest your future today. Plus, I will explain to you how you can boost your immune system and feel happy every day using only your thoughts.

Break the old cycle of unhappiness or dissatisfaction in your life and learn to create an abundance of new positive experiences with only your thoughts. Becoming aware of your thoughts will break the habit of negative thinking, over-thinking and stressful thinking by practicing any of the focus methods you are about to learn in this book. By the end of this guide, you will understand how to master relationships with your self and others which will allow you to live for the moment.

Randy Russon has released his second book, More Tales Of An Old Hockey Writer. Randy is a long-time sportswriter and sportscaster in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, and currently with Sault This Week as its sports editor. His first job was with CKCY 920 Radio, hired by then station director, Paul Leonard, in the mid 1970s. That is its own story.

Randy’s knowledge of the Sault Ste. Marie hockey scene and its history is unparalleled, and his memory quasi-impeccable.

Imagine starting your day just like you do every day, expecting to see the same old things. But what if one day everything changed? What strange and unusual things do you think you would see?
Let your imagination take over as Max discovers more than just leaves and birds in the trees. On this day he will introduce you to many different fish of all different colours, doing different things, all while sitting in the trees. This is the story of 15 fish sitting in a tree.

Stacey Davidson was raised in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, growing up in the "P" Patch. She has called Amherstburg, Ontario, home since 1996, where she and her husband Michael have raised their two beautiful children, Rachelle and Katie. Amherstburg is one of the most beautiful places to live, so she is incredibly proud to say that she is from there and to be a part of such an awesome community. Spending time with her family and friends is what makes Stacey happy. Her parents and siblings all reside in the Sault, so much of her vacation time is spent there with her mom and dad, Wayne and Cathie Bishop, and her extended family, including her siblings, Mark, Susan and Richard. Rhyming and riddles have always come easily to Stacey, so she has used this talent to write and to create stories, poems and even road-rally scavenger hunts.

https://www.instagram.com/staceybishopdavidsonauthor/

With an emphasis on creative writing, The Algomian is an online platform that gives emerging and seasoned artists a place to share their work with the world.

The Algomian features poetry, short fiction, creative nonfiction sketches, one-act plays, visual art, music, cartoons, book reviews, and writer’s tips. With a focus on new and emerging voices, the journal aims to provide the Algoma community with a platform to share its art – especially its creative writing – with the world, and for the world to enjoy the inspiring creative talent of this region. Honoring Algoma University’s Special Mission to support the needs of Northern communities and its commitment to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI), The Algomian welcomes material from all writers, wherever they are from and whatever their orientation.

The Algomian is brought to you by the Algoma University English & History Department in cooperation with Algoma University Libraries and Scholars Portal.

Tony Robinson-Smith, PhD, Editor.

The author of three travel memoirs, Of Canoes and Crocodiles (2024), The Dragon Run (2017), and Back in 6 Years (2008) and a regular contributor to the online magazine Perceptive Travel, Dr. Tony Robinson-Smith teaches creative, academic, and travel writing at Algoma U.

https://ojs.scholarsportal.info/algoma/algomian