Finding a way forward through tragedy and grief

At any given time we're each going through our own personal challenges.

But the last few weeks have been particularly painful, with the discovery of the remains of 215 Indigenous children at the former residential school in Kamloops, and the hatred and Islamophobia that left a young boy without his family.

This on top of a year that has already felt like we're all collectively grieving.  

At Now or Never, we've been asking ourselves and the people around us: What are you doing to push through?

On this episode, we're sharing stories from five Canadians who are fighting to find a way forward, through the array of difficulties that have been thrown their way.

After a horrible 2020 — the pandemic, job loss, her dad's sudden death, and the death of her friend's 11-year-old son — Karen Sampson declared 2021 the year of making lemonade out of lemons. Six months into her commitment, she reflects on the challenges and triumphs of trying to always find the positive.

TRC commissioner and residential school survivor Wilton Littlechild honoured the 215 children who died in Kamloops at a ceremony in Maskwacis, Alta. His nephew Al Wolfe organized the event and sat in the audience that day. Hear what happens when the two men come together to share stories, grieve, and heal.

Jumping on trampolines and playing in the park are part of Nam Kiwanuka's second childhood. Hear how the Ugandan-Canadian woman is getting in on her kids' joy, after her youth was spent fleeing from civil war and family trauma.

Days after his father died, Abdi Hassan found himself turning towards positivity and creativity like never before.

Through personal health challenges and a struggling small business, business and life partners Matthew and Alicia Della Valle are leaning into love to get them through, no matter what comes next.