Jacob Bamhour
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Finding Healing Through Art
“I’ve always been drawn to bringing characters to life,” says Noah Fyfe, an artist from Regina.
Fyfe’s artistic journey began in childhood, sketching figures from colouring books, animations and tattoos. “Back then, creating something like that felt like a superpower,” he says with a smile.
His passion for art carried him through his early years as he crafted detailed portraits, focusing on black-and-white contrasts to convey raw emotion. “I wanted my portraits to feel real, like you could feel what that character was feeling,” he says.
As Fyfe grew older, challenges began to hinder his artistic growth.
In high school, he experimented with drugs and alcohol, believing they enhanced his creativity. “I thought it was making my art better,” he says. But he soon realized the substances were affecting the quality of his work.
After moving away to attend art school, Fyfe’s struggles worsened. He prioritized partying over academics, which led to academic probation and eventually dropping out.
“They were dark years,” Fyfe recalls, describing a period marked by isolation and self-destructive behaviour. He spent hours barricaded in his room, surrounded by drugs, alcohol and music, painting through it all. “I thought my substance-fueled work was the pinnacle of my art,” he says.
A series of overdoses landed him in the hospital, serving as a turning point. “That was my wake-up call,” he says. “I decided my life was worth more than just partying and wasting away.”
Sobriety marked the start of a transformation. Breaking free from addiction allowed Fyfe to see his work and life with new clarity.
“After a few months, I looked at the art I’d made while using and realized how chaotic it was,” he says. Clean and clear-headed, he discovered that his creativity thrived not because of substances, but because he was finally grounded.
Art became a therapeutic outlet, offering calm and clarity. “Art as an outlet has so many benefits for people who’ve struggled with addiction,” he says. No longer an escape, it became a way to process emotions and triggers. “Every time I want to use again, I dive into a piece of art, and it keeps me grounded.”
Fyfe’s journey has shifted his perspective on art from a personal pursuit to a tool for inspiring others, particularly those grappling with addiction. “Art’s a great way to express yourself and find quietness when your brain feels like it’s going to explode,” he says. “It helps me get out of my own head, and that’s powerful.”
Now, Fyfe uses his work to share a message of resilience and self-discovery. “Art saved me, in a way,” he says.
@Noahfyfezart‘s story goes from using art as an escape to embracing it as a source of strength. His journey shows that healing is a process.
Finding clarity in each layer. @Noahfyfezart work represents a journey from darkness to light.
Turning struggles into something beautiful— @Noahfyfezart art proves that growth can emerge from the darkest places.
Links to Published Works
Voices of the Strike: Students at the Heart of Saskatchewan’s Teacher Strike
REGINA — Amid Saskatchewan’s ongoing teacher strike, thousands of students across the province are grappling with disruptions to their education and daily routines.
“The strike is disrupting my child’s routine and causing unnecessary stress,” says Chris Belanger, whose daughter is in Grade 7. “I’m concerned about the short-term impact on her education and well-being, especially with the large class sizes. They need as much time in the classroom as possible, not less.”
Andrew Pelling, vice-principal at Regina’s Judge Bryant Elementary School, says vulnerable students are feeling the greatest impact.
“The primary concern is for students from low-income families and those with disabilities,” he says. “They often rely on schools for more than education, receiving vital support services, including meals, counselling and specialized instruction. These students rely on the school for stability and support, but the strike disrupts that.”
Others hope the strike will lead to improvements in the education system.
“The hope is that increased funding for students will create a stable and better learning environment—not only for teachers, but for students too,” says Marc Spooner, an education professor at the University of Regina and father of two. “That makes the short-term negative effects of missed classes and extracurricular activities worth it overall.”
As the strike dominates headlines, media coverage has focused on the bargaining process and political dynamics. Often overlooked is the strike’s impact on students.
Some students are using the strike as a learning experience. Regina’s Michael A. Riffel High School students joined their teachers in protest at the legislative building, while others have taken to social media to share their views and seek information.
For parents like Spooner, the strike presents a teachable moment.
“I’ve talked with my children about why they’re missing school, and I even took them to the protest at the legislature,” he says.
Not all parents see the strike as educational.
“They’re learning about this stuff, I guess,” says Belanger. “But they could also learn these issues in school without facing the firsthand effects of a strike at such young ages.”
Pelling says whether students learn from the experience depends largely on their parents.
“It depends on if the parents take the time to explain what the strike is and why it’s happening,” he says.
Media coverage plays a crucial role in helping families understand the issue. Belanger says the media’s coverage has been adequate.
“It’s fine how the media is covering the strike because it’s between the government and the teachers,” he says.
Spooner believes the media has done well in calling out the government’s handling of negotiations.
“The government has worked in bad faith with the teachers’ union in the past, causing promised pay increases to come out of the school board budget instead of provincial funds. That hurt the students,” he says.
Pelling agrees the media is doing its job, despite the challenges of capturing student perspectives.
“Dealing with matters involving children is challenging,” he says. “It’s hard for journalists to get perspective from students, so based on that, I think the coverage is acceptable.”
The Saskatchewan teachers’ strike highlights the balance between the immediate disruptions to students’ education and the potential long-term benefits of collective bargaining and democratic engagement.
While vulnerable students face challenges due to disrupted routines and limited access to school services, others are using the strike to learn about labour relations and democracy in a real-world context.
Despite the challenges in capturing student voices, a range of community perspectives underscores the need for a nuanced understanding of the strike’s implications for students and society.
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