Author: Gayle Baker

• Welcoming the “A Team” in Affordable Housing to Learn About the Kings Lane Project

  September 26 Nineteen joined this ASK Salt Spring gathering to welcome the GISRA (Gulf Islands Senior Residents Association https://www.gisra.ca/) Kings Lane housing project team, Janis Gauthier, Harry Barnes, and Linda Adams. After our Acknowledgment and a chance for participants to introduce themselves, we learned what excited and delighted our guests. While their shared enthusiasm about the potential…

• Island Connections: Across Border Solidarity

  September 19 While the group was small, the enthusiasm was high to welcome Hands Across the Water (https://acrossthewater.org/) organizers Orcas Islander Natalie Zohar and Salt Springer Pam Tarr to this ASK Salt Spring gathering. We began with Pam’s Land Acknowledgement during which she expressed her humility and gratitude to be able to live on this…

• Safety and Belonging in our Community

  September 12 Community Circle on Safety and Belonging On September 12, nine community members gathered to explore the theme of community safety and belonging with the Salt Spring Restorative Justice Team.  We began our circle with a land acknowledgment and a recognition of the deep harms that have taken place here on Salt Spring and…

• Pondering the Future of our Bus System with Brian and Gary

  September 5 Nine joined this ASK Salt Spring gathering to welcome Local Community Commissioners (LCC) Brian Webster and Gary Holman (also our Electoral Director). Aptly facilitated by Grant Fredrickson, comprehensive notes were taken by Julie Thomson – thanks, team!  While they were open to any LCC questions, the main topic for discussion was to solicit…

• Reconciliation, Electoral Reform, and Advocacy for Salt Spring Issues. . . Welcoming MLA Rob Botterell

  August 22 Thirteen came to this ASK Salt Spring gathering to welcome MLA Rob Botterrell. As we prepared to begin, it was noted that a portion of last week’s report citing progress on Soule Creek may be aspirational but is simply incorrect. Apologies for the misinformation. . . bringing home the fact that you cannot…

• Welcoming Owen and Andrew for Salt Spring Roads 101

  August 8 Sixteen joined this ASK Salt Spring gathering welcoming Andrew Gaetz, Emcon (our roads maintenance contractor) Operations Manager, and Owen Page, Ministry of Transportation and Transit (MoTT) Area Manager.  Owen’s MoTT responsibility includes Salt Spring and Saturna Islands as well as the entire CRD region from Point Renfrew south. Working closely with Emcon, his responsibilities include…

• We Can Do better for Our Seniors!

  Fifteen joined us to welcome BC Seniors Advocate Dan Levitt and Communications Manager Jocelyne Lahaye to this ASK Salt Spring gathering. After our Acknowledgement and a chance for all to introduce themselves, we learned what “excites and delights” Dan. He recalled with pleasure his first trip to Salt Spring on a cycling/camping trip to Ruckle…

• Lovingly Welcoming MP Elizabeth May

  Thirty joined this ASK Salt Spring gathering to lovingly welcome MP Elizabeth May. She began our time together with an acknowledgement of her honour and gratitude to be working with First Nations whose sheer grit have given them the strength to survive past and ongoing colonial oppression. After going around the circle with introductions from…

• Navigating Community Divides

  July 11 Although the crowd was small, the welcome was enthusiastic for this week’s ASK Salt Spring guest, RCMP Sergeant Clive Seabrook. We began with his recognition and appreciation of the land on which we live and love, even though this joy is often tempered with a heavy heart, recognizing past injustices.  With a smile,…

• “This is How Government Should Work!”

  July 4 Eighteen joined us for this ASK Salt Spring gathering welcoming MLA Rob Botterell and his Constituency Advocate Deborah Bowman. During his Land Acknowledgement, Rob spoke of the honour he felt in collaborating on the good work of restoring, preserving, and protecting the land we so love. Although we may never restore it to…