-
Committed Volunteers Creating Connection Throughout our Community!
November 17, 2023: Fourteen joined us (in addition to toddler Benjamin) for all or part of this ASK Salt Spring conversation with the enthusiastic team of volunteers committed to enhancing mental wellness in our community. Led by David Norget, a number of Mental Wellness Initiative volunteers joined us. Some of these volunteers are recruiting professional counsellors for Reach Out Salt Spring, others are overseeing the expanded Peer Support programs, and others are Ambassadors, walking Ganges spreading connection and care throughout our village. After our Territorial Acknowledgement, we learned a bit about the Mental Wellness Initiative as well as its programs. This Mental Wellness Initiative…
-
Local Community Commissioners Field Tough Questions
November 10, 2023: Eleven came to this ASK Salt Springgathering to welcome Local Community Commissioners (LCC) Ben Corno, Brian Webster, Gayle Baker, and Gary Holman, also our Electoral Director. After our Territorial Acknowledgement, Commissioners were asked what excited and delighted them. Ben began by using the example of the construction at Centennial Park as an opportunity to be in the know about what was happening at the park. He was pleased that he could help address Salt Springers’ fears as well as apologize for the unfortunate timing of the start of construction just before the Remembrance Day celebration at Centennial. Brian continued with this example, a…
-
Our Fabulous FabLab!
November 3, 2023: While only seven joined this ASK Salt Spring gathering, we had a fabulous time welcoming Librarian Julia Wagner and learning all about our new FabLab(https://saltspring.bc.libraries.coop/fablab/). While we now know all about this wonderful new opportunity to learn and create, you may wonder: Whatever is a FabLab? Short for ‘Fabrication Laboratory,’ this exciting new offering is one of many of our Library’s many initiatives designed to close the digital divide through combining science, technology, creativity, and fun for all ages. At our FabLab you can design and create what you want, using their equipment and materials free of charge. You might say: This is only for…
-
Eating Together, Eating Local. . . We Can Do Better!
October 27, 2023: Eighteen joined this ASK Salt Spring gathering to welcome local food production advocates. While Grow Local leaders, Polly Orr and Nick Jones, and Farmland Trust Director, Jon Cooksey, led the conversation, the room was filled with other experts as well, including local growers, long-time local farm advocates, and even a local agronomist from the Ministry of Agriculture. After our Territorial Acknowledgement, reminding us that we were regrowing our relationship with the land when we produce and eat local foods, we began a rich conversation among local food enthusiasts . Throughout our two hours together, we explored the reasons that, despite our rich…
-
Welcoming BC Ferries President/CEO Nicholas Jimenez!
October 20, 2023: A total of 32 joined us to welcome BC Ferries’ President and CEO Nicolas Jimenez to this ASK Salt Spring gathering. While possibly fewer participants than anticipated, everyone had a chance to ask their questions and participate in a rich and informative discussion with Nicolas. And, enjoy a wonderful carrot cake donated by our ever-generous Country Grocer. After his Territorial Acknowledgement, Nicolas told us that, while not a mariner, he is excited to be involved in a community of mariners. Aware that when he came into this job six months ago, the system was not at its finest, he brings…
-
A Conversation with Your Local Community Commissioners About Air Quality, Sludge, and Worker Housing
October 13, 2023: Ten gathered for a conversation with our Electoral Director, Gary Holman, and Local Commissioners Brian Webster, Earl Rook, and Gayle Baker. After our Territorial Acknowledgement, a participant began by asking what was actually happening with reconciliation on Salt Spring. We learned from Gary that local governments are legally obligated to consult with First Nations on projects and initiatives. There have been a number of local opportunities for engagement, recently including the North Ganges Transportation Project on Rainbow and Lower Ganges Roads and the under-discussion Islands Trust Bylaw 530 proposing to legalize accessory dwelling units. First Nations engagement will…
-
Is the Canadian Dream of Homeownership Dead for Many of Our Youth?
October 6, 2023: Thirteen gathered to welcome MLA Adam Olsen and Outreach Coordinator Laura Parker to this ASK Salt Spring gathering in our new, quieter classroom location, thanks to the generosity of Transition Salt Spring and Restorative Justice. After his Territorial Acknowledgement, we discussed less willingness – and even tolerance – to let our children into our activities. Somewhat shielded from the noisy energy of youngsters outside our gathering room, we discussed the common separation of children from our adult activities. Unlike other cultures and generations, common practice is a distinct separation between children and adult activities. Adam shared his experience as a…
-
Worried About our Lack of Worker Housing? Come on, Salt Spring – Become a HomeSharer!
September 22, 2023: We welcomed Janey Rowland, coordinator of our new Housing NOW HomeShare Registry Program, to this ASK Salt Springgathering. We began by being intrigued and charmed by the scattering of Michif phrases in her Territorial Acknowledgement, soon learning that she is of Metis ancestry and reconnecting to her heritage through language. During our time together, we learned a great deal about the Housing NOW Project and the HomeShare initiative Janey is coordinating. While growing rapidly, HomeSharing (https://www.canadahomeshare.com/) is not a new concept. We learned that New Zealand is working to include HomeShare as a federally-funded initiative (https://www.ageconcernauckland.org.nz/media/website_pages/resources/Life-changing-housing-programme-brings-young-and-old-together-(1).pdf). And, that some years ago, Canada had its own federally-funded program,…
-
Salt Spring’s Housing Council Changes Direction to Focus on Business-Built Worker Housing
September 15, 2023: Nine welcomed Robin Williams, new chair of the Housing Council, to this ASK Salt Spring gathering. After our Territorial Acknowledgement, Robin began by telling us what excites and delights him: lovingly-renovating homes that others would demolish. He shared pictures of a home on Long Harbour with extremely-serious foundation issues. After a complete renovation, including an extensive seismic upgrade – requiring lifting the home, digging 20 feet to bedrock to anchor the foundation, and backfilling the basement 15 feet – this home met all building codes and was ready to occupy. Pictures of the now-lovely home with charming additions were shared. Not an…
-
Completing that Food Security Circle with our Abattoir, Composting, and Root Projects
September 8, 2023: While the information we gained was rich, the turnout to welcome one of our newly-elected Local Community Commissioners (LCC), Brian Webster, was disappointing. After a heartfelt Territorial Acknowledgement, ending with appreciation for the inexplicable forgiveness by First Nations on this journey of reconciliation, we began our time together learning more about three of our most critical agricultural projects, composting, our abattoir, and the Root. Brian began by answering our traditional initial question of what excites and delights him by speaking briefly of his feelings about the onset of fall. For him, September has always been a time of mixed feelings: those of sadness at…