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E-mail: hilaryzimbabwe@yahoo.ca

The Person

Hilary Craig has always told stories.This is hardly surprising when you learn about her diverse life experiences.

She was born and raised in Zimbabwe.   (Her family originally landed in Africa in 1820.)   In 1965 Hilary came to study in Canada, Here she met her life partner, David.   Together they raised two wonderful children.   Hilary’s family has lived in Ontario, Zimbabwe and Saskatchewan.

For many years Hilary worked as an educator, teaching English as a Second Language to both children and adults.   She has also worked as a career counsellor and in the literacy field. She has a particular interest in family literacy and early learning and has designed and conducted a number of workshops in this area. Much of her work has also involved a community development component.

Life has presented Hilary with some serious personal challenges.   These included the loss of both her parents by the time she was 20, involuntary exile, and two encounters with cancer.  

But life has also showered her with gifts: a devoted partner, talented kids, wonderful friends, students who taught her many lessons, and experience with a broad range of organizations.   Her life is enriched by a daily meditation practice and participation in a supportive faith community.


The Storyteller

Hilary’s particular style of storytelling involves weaving together the wisdom of traditional tales and the lessons of life.   She particularly enjoys helping participants explore the meanings of the stories through group activities, music and crafts.

Hilary is always ready and willing to try a new challenge.   However some of her tried and true workshops deal with topics such as these:

  • Making the best of difficult situations
  • Coping with cancer (or other serious illnesses) and grief
  • Exclusion (this includes bullying, racism, etc.)
  • Working together to make the world a better place (Hilary has lived in and worked with co-operatives.)
  • Caring for our Earth (Hilary is also a Master Composter!)
  • Making peace in a difficult world.

    Hilary has worked with people of all ages in environments as diverse as schools, churches, libraries, retreats and composting workshops. She is also ready and willing to adjust her approaches to new challenges.




    Examples of Story Workshops

    Counting Our Blessings

    Two stories and a workshop help participants to balance acceptance of life’s challenges with an awareness of what we have to be thankful for.

    When The Sky Falls

    Everyone experiences times of devastation: serious illness, bereavement, violence and dismissal from a job. The stories and activities of this workshop allow participants to acknowledge the enormity of their experiences and tell their stories.

    Opening The Door

    The stories and activities of this workshop look at how groups exclude individuals with specific characteristics.   The workshop activities explore reasons for exclusion and investigate how groups can be more inclusive, and how individuals can act to make outsiders, new people, feel welcome.

    The Little Brown Bunny

    A 60-year-old brown toy bunny, made out of

    Scraps, is one of Hilary’s family treasures.   Using both traditional and family stories Hilary facilitates discussion about what we can do to care for the Earth.   (Hilary is a also a Master Composter!)

    Stone Soup and Magic Trees

    In a society that puts the individual first we often forget the value of working together.   Hilary loves to blend traditional stories about people working together with tales from her life experiences with co-operatives and other groups that encourage people to work together and share.


    • What people say about Hilary…

    “Hilary Craig is a spellbinder. Her storytelling style is at once comforting and captivating whether she is transporting you through time and space with an ancient folk tale or caressing your heart and pinching your funnybone with a personal story.   Hilary tells with the ease of a great yarnspinner, mainly because she is one!”   Kevin MacKenzie, Storyteller-in-Residence, Regina Board of Education.

    “Effective storytelling requires two well balanced elements.The first is knowledge, the second is art.

    The first is the story that begs to be told.

    The second is the ability of the teller to bring that story to life.

    Hilary knows the stories - and, oh, how well she tells them! Joan Eyolfson Cadham, Writer & Storyteller, Foam Lake, Saskatchewan

    Some comments from workshop participants:

    “Hilary, the opportunity for listening/reflectively sharing and remembering can’t be beat.   I loved this workshop and will continue to reflect and enjoy long after.   Thank you!”

    “Liked your style so much.   You make the ‘story’ come alive and forefront. The storyteller – you – are truly receding into the background!   That’s an art!   Wonderful process in small group sharing.” Ruth Patrick, Edmonton

    “A `joy’ in itself.   I will take much home with me from your storytelling.   It spoke to me!”

    “I enjoyed the individual reflection and also the sharing. The story to provide context was terrific and well told.   Than you for this, Hilary!” Bonnie S.

    E-mail: hilaryzimbabwe@yahoo.ca