ASK Salt Spring

Gently Navigating Difficult Conversations with Family and Loved Ones

NOTE: This addition to the June 6 ASK Salt Spring Report requested by a participant: "When asked if he would be willing to seek a meeting with the Minister of Health that would also include Gary Holman to discuss the $50 million taken out of the Island Health budget for a new long term care facility on Salt Spring, Rob agreed to put it on his strategy list in September.” June 13: Nine joined us to welcome Laura Dafoe and Jessica Terezakis for this Restorative Justice/ASK Salt Spring gathering to discuss what works (and does not work) when encountering divisive issues among family and close friends. We began with a Land Acknowledgement that reminded us that Restorative Justice principles stem from First Nations’ traditions of working together to resolve conflicts. We were told the story of two brothers who began their daily conversation with each other by saying, “Tell me if I am wrong.” By recognizing that one may be wrong, it becomes safe to disagree. Before begin…

Welcoming MLA Rob Botterell and Learning About Some Concerning Legislation

Eighteen came to this ASK Salt Spring gathering to welcome MLA Rob Botterell and his associate Theresa Coles. After he offered our Land Acknowledgement, Rob shared that he was “excited and delighted” to have completed the annual spring work on his boat. She is now ready to take him on his summer of sailing, hopefully bringing him from his Pender home to his next ASK Salt Spring time with us July 4. With the Legislative session over, he also spoke briefly about a busy summer with a dizzying number of important committees, including his work on Democratic Reform, the review of Clean BC, the forest review, and an analysis of Community Health Centers, to name a few. He also plans to spend his summer with his 50,000 constituents, getting a smile out of us by telling us that the very best of them were, of course, us Salt Springers :). He also spoke a bit about his plans to soon spend a day on Salt Spring with Housing Minister, Ravi Kahlon in what is expected to be a series…

Neighbours Feeding Neighbours With Nutritious Local Food

Although the group welcoming Heather to learn more about Neighbours Feeding Neighbours was small, the conversation was both multifaceted as well as fascinating. After Heather offered our land acknowledgement and told us of her “excitement and delight" with our long days, needed rain, and her verdant garden, offering her both satisfaction and challenges, we began to learn about this exciting project. Neighbours Feeding Neighbours is a 20-month pilot project of the Salt Spring Island Farmland Trust and funded by the Investment Agriculture Foundation of BC. While this funding is slated to end this winter, hopes are that some key initiatives identified by this pilot project will continue. With this funding, Heather and her team are laying the groundwork for developing an island-wide plan to address our food needs in emergency situations. They are building relationships with key players, planting the seeds of collaboration between growers and local buyers, and working with our…

Local Commissioners Gary and Brian Discuss Health, Housing, and Transportation

May 23 Thirteen came to this ASK Salt Spring gathering to welcome Local Community Commissioners Brian Webster and Gary Holman, also our Electoral Area Director. Beautifully facilitated by Grant Fredrickson with notes provided by Julie Thomson (thanks, team!, the conversation focused on healthcare, housing, and transportation. After Gary offered our Land Acknowledgement, our guests were asked what “excited and delighted” them. Brian, introducing himself as both a farmer and elected member of the Local Community Commission (LCC), began by expressing his delight that we are about a week away from the paving of a section of the Ganges Hill project. Brian also mentioned the recent mechanical issues on the Fulford/Swartz Bay route. While one might question delight with this disruption, he expressed his appreciation of the all day/everyday service our ferry system provides, hoping that we might remember the quality of the ferry service we have rather than the oft expressed l…

ASK Salt Spring Welcomes RJSSI in "Listening as a Path to Connection" on May 9

ASK Salt Spring Report: Listening as a Path to Connection This month’s Restorative Justice Dialogue Circle invited community members into a deep exploration of listening as a core skill for navigating conflict and bridging division. Together, we examined how restorative listening practices can strengthen relationships, support accountability, and contribute to more connected and resilient communities. The circle offered a space for reflection on what it means to truly listen—not to fix, debate, or correct—but to understand. With a focus on practical tools and relational insight, participants explored how listening can serve as an active, healing practice in times of tension or disconnection. Laura began the session by grounding the group with a land acknowledgment and the importance of listening and centering Indigenous voices as part of reconciliation. After introducing the circle team, the group was guided in setting shared agreements to create a space of care, respe…

Welcoming Rob Botterell – ASK Salt Spring

Welcoming Rob Botterell – ASK Salt Spring 2 May 2025 Twenty-three joined for all or part of this ASK Salt Spring discussion with MLA Rob Botterell. Changing things up a bit, Ron Cooke, the facilitator sitting in for Gayle Baker, asked Rob what concerns him. Rob answered that this week in the Legislature the government introduced legislation to streamline approvals for projects, the environmental assessment process, and infrastructure projects. Rob thought this wasn’t a bad thing, but as the “devil is in the details”, he is concerned that the Green Caucus will have sufficient time to thoroughly examine the legislation and ensure it is not an over-reach. With this said, Rob started the conversation with a territorial acknowledgment and his thoughts about the tragic events that occurred at the Lapu-Lapu Festival on April 26th. He reminded us that today is a day of mourning and wanted to express his heart-felt sympathies to the community impacted directly by the trag…

Getting to Know our New MLA Rob Botterell

Before welcoming MLA Rob Botterell to ASK Salt Spring this Friday, May 2, 11-1, SIMS classroom, we thought it would be fun to learn more about what “excites and delights” him personally as well as professionally.    Rob grew up in Oak Bay, playing the alto saxophone in the high-school band and spending much of his free time sailing. When he graduated from high school in 1973, he headed off to UBC to study Economics and Political Science, eventually also receiving his MBA there. Idyllic as his childhood may sound, he recalls with a chuckle telling his lawyer mother when he left for college that he would never return to Victoria and never become a lawyer, both predictions which turned out to be untrue.  With his MBA and a keen interest in economics, Rob spent the early decades of his career working for TD Bank and was quickly promoted to Comptroller. During those years, he worked in Vancouver and lived on Bowen Island with his wife, now celebrating 45 years together.…

Restorative Justice: The Power of Gratitude in Challenging Times

April 11 Eleven joined this Restorative Justice conversation to explore the benefits of gratitude when facing conflict in our lives. Leading us in this conversation were Program Coordinator, Jessica Terezakis, longtime volunteer and Restorative Justice Salt Spring Island Board member, Laura Dafoe, and new volunteer, Fig, bringing her rich experiences with nonviolent communication and community activism. After a Land Acknowledgement, during which we were reminded that Restorative Justice principles are grounded in Indigenous circle practices throughout the world, we began our exploration of the power of gratitude in challenging times. We began, as we do each second Friday of the month when we welcome our Restorative Justice volunteers, by reviewing the Five Agreements: 1) Honour each individual’s opportunity to speak when holding the talking piece. 2) Speak and listen with care 3) Speak and listen from the heart. 4) Take the time you need while also being mindful of…

Welcoming MLA Rob Botterell

April 4 Twenty-two joined this ASK Salt Spring gathering to welcome MLA Rob Botterell and Julie Luna. He began his time with us this month acknowledging his appreciation for being able to live and work on this beautiful land, the unceded territory of 14 Indigenous groups. He spoke of his dismay with the recent display of prejudice by MLA Dallas Brodie. While he recognizes importance of freedom of speech, he believes so strongly that we should stand up and confront racist rhetoric that he will be bringing a motion to the legislature to censor MLA Brodie. While he understands that it may not pass, he is clear that it is his responsibility to challenge her belittling comments concerning Reconciliation. When asked what “excited and delighted” him, he spoke with awe of the amazing sunrise that morning. While many of us may have enjoyed this sunrise, he had a particularly pleasing perspective: True to his Green commitment, had arrived from his home on Pender Island on his sailboa…

Want to be a Living Library Book?

March 28 This ASK Salt Spring gathering began with a land acknowledgment, recognizing the deep and ongoing work of Indigenous communities in building connections. The discussion highlighted the incredible efforts of organizations like Stqeeye’ Society in Xwaaqw’um. In the spirit of celebrating collective efforts, Sophia shared thoughts on International Women’s Day and the participation of Penelukut Elders, emphasizing the importance of recognizing the voices, contributions, and leadership of Indigenous women in community-building. The focus of our time together was the Living Library Project: A Space for Connection & Understanding, an initiative championed by Fig (writer and volunteer) and Sophia (library coordinator). Both are passionate about bringing together folks from different parts of our community and creating spaces for meaningful dialogue. This initiative is inspired by the Human Library Project , which began in Denmark and has since expanded to over 80 countr…

Welcoming Eric, the Lady Minto Hospital Foundation's Executive Director

March 21  Fifteen joined this ASK Salt Spring gathering to welcome Lady Minto Hospital Foundation Executive Director Eric Jacobsen, supported by members of the Foundation Board. After our Land Acknowledgement, Eric shared that he is "excited and delighted” to live and work on Salt Spring Island. Delighted to be raising his family here, he praised Salt Spring as the kindest, safest (both emotionally and physically) community he had ever experienced. He alluded to our depiction as a “controversy surrounded by water” as a strength, for in Eric’s opinion, that deep caring and ability to speak and debate freely is to be cherished. Often caught up in issues and concerns, Eric’s love for Salt Spring resonated with many at this gathering. As expected, we began our conversation with the Foundation’s housing project. Currently being renovated, this project - estimated to cost nearly $10 million - will provide 18 affordable homes for healthcare workers and their families, in units r…

Learning Skills to Counteract Hurtful Social Media Comments

March 14 Seventeen joined us for all or part of this ASK Salt Spring conversation about strategies to address the harm caused by hurtful comments and polarization on social media. Leading us on this difficult and emotional conversation were our Restorative Justice facilitators, Program Coordinator, Jessica, and volunteers Laura and Fig. Jessica offered our Land Acknowledgement, reminding us that Restorative Justice principles stem from collaborative circle practices from Indigenous peoples around the world. She ended with a quote by Chief Dr. Robert Joseph, “Reconciliation includes anyone with an open mind and an open heart who is willing to look into the future with a new way, Let us find a way to belong to this time and place together. Our future, and the well-being of all our children, rests with the kind of relationships we build today.” She suggested we read his book, Namwayut, A Pathway to Reconciliation. Joining us the second Friday of each month, 11-1, in the …

Welcoming MLA Rob Botterell

March 7 Twenty joined this ASK Salt Spring gathering to welcome MLA Rob Botterell and his Constituency Assistant Patricia Pearson. During his Territorial Acknowledgement, he expressed his gratitude that we can live and work on this beautiful land. He acknowledged his pleasure that we can do this work in partnership First Nations, learning from their wisdom, values, and culture. When asked what “excited and delighted" him, he did not hesitate: He is pleased that the Legislature is in session, particularly enjoying his regular opportunity to publicly question our government during the question period. A rookie now, he looks forward to his progression to being our moderately experienced MLA and, eventually, to becoming our “long in the tooth” MLA. Before beginning to answer our questions, he offered us all the opportunity to sign up for his regular newsletter. You, too, can sign up by emailing Newsletter not enough? Want to learn more? See his website. He assured us tha…

A Loving Welcome to MP Elizabeth May

February 28 Thirty-seven came to this ASK Salt Spring gathering to welcome MP Elizabeth May and her new Constituency Coordinator, Aysha Emmerson. After her Territorial Acknowledgement, Elizabeth shared delight about her new granddaughter, Lily, born October 30, 2024. While already the loving grandmother of step-grandchildren, Elizabeth has been blown away by the love, delight, and adoration she feels for her daughter Cate’s baby. After we all had a chance to introduce ourselves, Elizabeth started our discussion of local, federal, and transnational issues by addressing the local concerns of one participant about derelict boats in Ganges Harbour as well as hazardous garbage, including many batteries, littering the beaches. This individual had recently collected a trunkful of these environmentally-dangerous batteries littering our shores to dispose of off-Island. Thinking he had been doing a good deed by collecting batteries from our seashore, he was surprised by being cat…

Where Have All the Birds Gone? Welcoming Our Action-Oriented Wildlife Experts

February 21 Twenty joined this ASK Salt Spring gathering about the islands ecology and the challenges it faces. Organized and facilitated by Julie Thomson, an international conservation specialist (as well as just elected ASK Salt Spring Society Board member), we welcomed: - David Denning, Nature Salt Spring; - Kathleen Maser, Nature Salt Spring as well as BC Nature Kids; - Deborah Miller, Native Plant Stewardship Working Group of Transition Salt Spring; - Dr Tara Martin, UBC professor and Salt Spring Island Conservancy Board member; and - Rachel Bevington, Wetland Restoration Coordinator for the Stqeeye’ Learning Society. After our Territorial Acknowledgement, each of our guests introduced themselves and their work, beginning with David, a film-maker, photographer, naturalist, and science educator. He told us about Nature Salt Spring, a volunteer organization established four years ago to educate and inspire Salt Spring Islanders to better understand, appreciate, a…

Learning the Tools to Address Conflict Effectively

February 14 Twenty-three plus a newborn (babies and dogs are always welcome!) joined the circle to welcome Restorative Justice volunteers Laura, Jessica, and Fig to this ASK Salt Spring gathering. Our time together was designed to develop competence to deal effectively with conflicts, moving in subsequent months to address divisive Salt Spring issues. After our Territorial Acknowledgment, we set the tone by reviewing five basic agreements: 1) Honour each individual’s opportunity to speak when holding the talking piece. 2) Speak and listen with respect. 3) Speak and listen from the heart. 4) Take the time you need while also being mindful of the need for others to have time. 5) Honour confidentiality: Share the learning, not the details or personal information. Given the large number of participants, Laura reminded us to “take space and make space.” In other words, take the time you need to express yourself while also leaving time for others to do so. In the fir…

Welcoming MLA Rob Botterell

February 7 Twenty-two joined this ASK Salt Spring gathering to welcome Rob Botterell for his first time with us as our MLA. He was accompanied by his able and welcoming constituency assistant, Theresa Coles. (Don’t fret if you missed this opportunity: Rob plans to be with us the first Friday of each month, 11-1, SIMS classroom next to the Boardroom.) After his Territorial Acknowledgement, Rob added how grateful he was to be with us today and to have the opportunity to carry on the great work of former MLA Adam Olsen. When asked what “excites and delights” him, he shared his pleasure that 2025 will bring us the opportunity to work on shared issues, commitment to successfully address issues, and joy with the melting snow - allowing him to be with us today without worrying about driving in treacherous snow. The first question from a participant acknowledged appreciation of his first newsletter. (Want to receive this bi-weekly newsletter? ) She asked about the results of the…

Seeking Simple Salt Spring Solutions

January 31 In January, ASK Salt Spring has hosted some weighty conversations: - Difficult conversations guided by Restorative Justice, - FireSmarting our homes, and - Complex School District 64 decisions Seeking a break and a bit of fun, after our Territorial Acknowledgment, we considered what simple projects could make Salt Spring life just a bit better. While you may have suggested totally-different ideas, our small group of problem-solvers offered these: 1) Family Game Centre, 2) A Dinner Activity Club, 3) Easy Opening of Those Annoying Pill and Food Containers, and 4) Visitor Funding for Salt Spring Services and Infrastructure? 1) So, what do you mean by Family Game Centre? The idea began with a year ‘round ping pong table for all to enjoy. Soon the idea grew into an area with not only a ping pong table but also horseshoes and a bocci ball court. Where? While many ideas were kicked around, the eventual consensus was that Centennial Park was by far the best l…

Learning Lots About School District 64

January 24 Fifteen joined us for all or part of this conversation with the School District 64 team, guiding the education of not only our Salt Spring youth but also those of Galiano, Saturna, Mayne, and Pender Islands with 1,500 students, nine schools, and 350 employees. Joining us were: - Jill Jensen - About to celebrate her first year as our Superintendent, Jill brings 34 years of experience as an educator, beginning as an English teacher in Alberta and working for nearly a quarter of a century as a BC administrator in mountain and First Nations communities. - Tisha Boulter - Twice elected School Board Trustee as well as former Chair, Tisha brings decades of experience as a Parent Advisory Council (PAC) leader during her two children’s years in our school district. - Jesse Guy - For the past six years Secretary/Treasurer, Jesse also brings her experience as a student, a 2020 graduate of School District 64. - Nancy Macdonald - Another of our School District 64…

ASK Salt Spring Welcomes our Firefighters

January 17 Nineteen joined this ASK Salt Spring gathering welcoming Fire Chief Jamie Holmes and acting Assistant Fire Chief Warren Nuyens. After our Territorial Acknowledgement, we learned what “excited and delighted” our guests. Warren began by sharing his pleasure with his role interacting with our community on exciting fire prevention projects, including FireSmart and the high school Cadet Camp. This Cadet Camp offers our seniors an opportunity to see some of the exciting parts of firefighting, even including trusting equipment enough to enter a smoke-filled room and rappelling down a three-story building. We later learned that this long-running program has encouraged a number of cadets to enter firefighting as a career. These cadets include women who, as high schoolers, learn that they have the abilities and physical requirements to be career firefighters. Jamie spoke of his understanding of his responsibility as the leader while also empowering his firefighters to u…

Want to Join Face-to-Face Conversations About Our Most Divisive Salt Spring Issues?

January 10 Twenty-two joined us to welcome the Restorative Justice team to facilitate explorations of our difficult conversations in a safe and productive space. This is the first of a series of such Restorative Justice/ASK Salt Spring conversations scheduled for the second Friday of each month, 11-1, in the SIMS classroom. Leading our conversation this week was Laura Dafoe. She was joined by two new and enthusiastic Restorative Justice volunteers, Emma and Fig. Sadly missing was program coordinator Jessica Terezakis who is supporting her family in a recent health challenge. While many of us know about the meaningful work done by our local Restorative Justice team, you may want to check out their website as well as the ASK Salt Spring report about their recent time with us. Laura also suggested we read Peter Block’s book, The Abundant Community, offering the following questions: - Invitation to Connection: What can we do to create a stronger sense of belonging within …

ASK Salt Spring

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News Posts

Gently Navigating Difficult Conversations with Family and Loved Ones

Welcoming MLA Rob Botterell and Learning About Some Concerning Legislation

Neighbours Feeding Neighbours With Nutritious Local Food

Local Commissioners Gary and Brian Discuss Health, Housing, and Transportation

ASK Salt Spring Welcomes RJSSI in "Listening as a Path to Connection" on May 9

Welcoming Rob Botterell – ASK Salt Spring

Getting to Know our New MLA Rob Botterell

Restorative Justice: The Power of Gratitude in Challenging Times

Welcoming MLA Rob Botterell

Want to be a Living Library Book?

Welcoming Eric, the Lady Minto Hospital Foundation's Executive Director

Learning Skills to Counteract Hurtful Social Media Comments

Welcoming MLA Rob Botterell

A Loving Welcome to MP Elizabeth May

Where Have All the Birds Gone? Welcoming Our Action-Oriented Wildlife Experts

Learning the Tools to Address Conflict Effectively

Welcoming MLA Rob Botterell

Seeking Simple Salt Spring Solutions

Learning Lots About School District 64

ASK Salt Spring Welcomes our Firefighters

Want to Join Face-to-Face Conversations About Our Most Divisive Salt Spring Issues?