Listening to the Quiet

As the winds begin to change and summer gives way to fall, there’s a teaching that’s been sitting quietly on my heart for a long time. Out of respect for the sacredness of Coast Salish culture, I’ll keep the details intentionally vague—but I still feel it’s something that needs to be shared, especially for those offering care and services to First Nations people.

Before writing this, I reached out to Culturally Committed Mentor, George Harris Jr. of Stz’uminus First Nation, to ask how I could share this story in a good way.

“As Stz'uminus Mustimuhw (people), our teachings have been passed down since time immemorial. When the weather turns cold and the frogs go silent, this is the time we begin important cultural work—practising and passing these teachings on to the next generation. When our people are doing this work, they are fully immersed; there may even be times when there is no access to the outside world. It is an honour to be included in these transformative experiences, and nothing in life takes priority over time spent in culture—not school, not work, and not outside commitments.”

Wholwholet'za | George Harris Jr.

When I first started working in community, I remember being puzzled by the sudden quiet that came with the cooler weather. Appointments that had been booked were suddenly missed, phones went unanswered. I wondered—had I done something wrong? Was I being avoided?

What I came to understand, over time and through listening, was that it had nothing to do with me at all. People were stepping into something deeply important—carrying forward teachings, stories, and practices that sustain their families and their Nation.

Sometimes, after that sacred work ends, folks come back to reconnect or to ask for care. But I’ve seen how certain policies—like no-show fees or limits on rebooking—can make that harder. Especially for those already navigating economic challenges. Most won’t say, “I missed my appointment because I was doing cultural work.” They’ll just quietly stop coming.

If your workplace has rules that penalise missed appointments, I invite you to sit with this teaching. Maybe there’s room for a little flexibility, a bit of understanding. When someone steps away for a while, it doesn’t mean they’ve stopped caring about their health. It might mean they’re tending to their spirit first.

And when they do come back, how we welcome them matters.

🧡 Kim