In Relationship

Last week, our Mentors gathered for a very special evening—a chartered boat tour with Live Lake Love, held on the ancestral lands of the Ts’uubaa-asatx Nation.

As the boat moved gently across the water, I found myself pausing to look around. The faces surrounding me were the very people who hold, guide, and support this work. It felt surreal—these are the folks who trust me, who share their wisdom generously, and who walk alongside us with such care.

We shared food, laughter, stories, and simply the gift of being together. (And in true west coast fashion, Dan was the only salmon of the group who decided to hop in the water!)

I have learned that in Coast Salish culture, gatherings like this are not just social—they are vital. The time we spend in relationship is even more important than the time we share working. This is where connection and trust are established, where laughter and shared experiences weave us closer together, and where we are reminded of why the work matters in the first place. It is in these moments—eating together, listening to stories, being out on the lands and waters—that we nurture the roots of our relationships. From those roots, the work itself grows stronger, more grounded, and more sustainable.

Spending time on the lands and waters reminded me that mentorship is about so much more than advice. It’s about friendship, accountability, encouragement, and love. It’s medicine for both the heart and the work itself.

Thank you to George, Becca, Dan, Katy, Thomas, Candice, Len, and Malissa for making the journey to spend the evening together, and for all you do to support this work. We missed the Mentors who couldn’t attend—you are incredibly valued and appreciated. At the rate our circle is growing, I think it’s safe to say we are going to need a bigger boat next year.

I carry so much gratitude for each of our Mentors—for their presence, their belief in what we are building, and their commitment to safer, more compassionate relationships.

Gilakas’la. Huy tseep q’u. Thank you.

🧡 Kim