Embrace peace
A heartful and creative gathering of inspired collaborators committed to cultivating peace within ourselves and the world
April 4 -7, 2024Saanich territory /
Saltspring island, Canada
Update: registration for the gathering closed as of March 28th.
About Embrace Peace
The challenges of the times
we live in are calling us to
find new ways forward, together.
A combination of a retreat, un-conference, innovation lab, and gathering of kindred spirits, this four-day event is centred around the holistic promotion of peace, encompassing the heart, mind, body, and spirit. It is a vibrant space where art and ritual intertwine, encouraging fun, beauty, embodiment, and diverse expressions. The goal is to empower individuals and communities to thrive together, fostering new connections, building bridges, and sharing effective tools and practices for peace-making. There is a focus on centring the leadership and experiences of BIPOC and 2SLGBTQIA+ folks, ensuring these voices and perspectives are at the forefront. The gathering is also a practice ground for embodying cooperative culture, which offers meaningful alternatives to the dominant narratives of capitalist, imperialist, white-supremacist patriarchy (as described by bell hooks). Participants are encouraged to be their authentic selves, leading from a place of self-awareness. This gathering is more than just a momentary experience — it's a prototype of the world and lives we aspire to create and live in.
Guiding questions
How is it possible in our current context to heal and bring harmony to ourselves, each other, nature, and the world?
How, when, and where do we experience peace in our lives?
How do we queer (i.e. challenge the norms of) “peace” and “peace work”?
How can we be with both the joy and grief of the times we are living in?
How can the ways that we gather be an embodiment of the peace we wish to see in the world?
Location
The gathering will be hosted at the beautiful Saltspring Centre of Yoga, a place of peacework in practice for over 43 years. Both indoor accommodations and camping options are available. Locals are also welcome to sleep off-site and join for the daily programming. We will benefit from the use of the Centre's extensive forested grounds, practice spaces, sauna, and commercial kitchen where we will prepare shared vegan meals.The Centre is located on Saltspring Island, which is part of the traditional unceded territory of the local Hul’qumi’num Treaty Group and Saanich First Nations. We commit to gathering in ways that embody right relationship with these Nations, the land, and all our relations.Saltspring Island is accessible by ferry from Metro Vancouver (Tsawwassen Terminal) and Victoria (Swartz Bay Terminal), and by seaplane from YVR Vancouver Airport (South Terminal).
How we organize
This is a non-profit gathering where all participants are involved as volunteers in collaborative manifestation. Recognizing that we each have varying amounts of time and capacity to contribute, we are invited to find our own unique ways of pitching in to bring the gathering to life. This can include joining an organizing crew, preparing a meal, offering a workshop, and more.Daily programming will follow an Open Space process, and the gathering follows principles of Microsolidarity.
How We Share Costs
We are committed to practicing Gift Economy and endeavour to share costs in an affirming and equitable way. Attendees choose their own financial contribution amount in a method we call Communitarian Economics. More details are provided in the registration form.As a reference point, we estimate the average cost to our collective for the 4-day gathering with meals to be $445-525 per person for indoor accommodation, $235-255 for camping, and $115-135 for people staying off-site. All amounts are in Canadian dollars.
Frequently asked Questions
What are we going to do at the gathering?
↳ There will be some programming determined in advance, but most will depend on what the participants (that's you / us!) decide to offer. Everything is optional. Some ideas include: meditation practice, ecstatic dance, massage, Mindful Compassionate Dialogue 101, song circles, Peace on the plate - exploring consent in culinary choices, writing + sharing group, storytelling, parenting, Optimal Zone Hygiene 101, open mic, heart circle, time in nature together, power dynamics in eros, making art, Introduction to Belonging Difference Sovereignty framework, Authentic Relating games, the Boycott Divest Sanctions movement, expressive movement, hiking, and more...
Is this gathering just for 2SLGBTQIA+ people?
↳ No. This gathering is open to people of all genders and sexual orientations. And, particular attention is given to creating a safe space so people of all genders and sexual orientations feel welcome and celebrated.
Is this gathering sex-positive?
↳ Yes. An essential part of peacework is exploring the diversity of ways that humans connect, which can include consensual and loving erotic connections. Depending on the needs and preferences of the group, age-restricted sex-positive spaces may be established.
What is the substance use policy?
↳ Sobriety is strongly encouraged—this is vital to creating a trusting and safer group container. Our host venue's policy is: "alcohol, cigarette/cannabis smoking, and illegal or non-prescription drugs are not permitted on the Centre property."
Can I bring my kids?
↳ Yes. This gathering endeavours to be all-ages, and family-friendly. Some workshops and spaces may engage with mature subject matter and so may be age-restricted, which will be up to individual facilitators and parents to determine.
When is the registration deadline?
↳ Registration closes April 28th. This is to ensure our Kitchen Crew has enough time to finalize quantities and obtain groceries!
Are you open to people coming for some, but not all of the days?
↳ In the interests of building trust and creating a strong group container we ask everyone to join for the entire gathering if possible. And, if that’s not possible for you, then you are warmly welcome to join for the days that you are able to. Depending on your schedule it would be ideal if you could plan to be there for the opening circle on Thursday evening (April 4), and to be present for as much of each day that you're attending as possible, so that we can create coordinated, intentional ways to welcome you and introduce you into the group.
Is this gathering open to the public?
↳ No, and we’re not publicly advertising this gathering. Rather, it’s being spread by word of mouth among friends. Anyone who is invited by a trusted friend and feels resonance with the concept is welcome! If you found this website on your own and weren’t invited by someone, get in touch with us via the question form at the bottom of this page and we can discuss your interest.
Who is organizing this gathering?
↳ The source of this gathering is Andrew (Andy) Martin (www.blueskyprojects.cc). The coordination crew for this gathering is made up of Andy, Corey Buttry, Lou-Ann Bennet, Pat Wasp, and Roï Amotz. The concept of this gathering is based on a previous series of three “Gatherings of Kindred Spirits” held in multiple locations across Cascadia in 2022 and 2023, and on a "Queer Healing Biotopes" gathering held in Franconia in 2023. This gathering is also informed by ideas and experience from the Tamera Healing Biotope, the Radical Faeries, Possibility Management, and The Work That Reconnects.
What do you mean by "queer"? (from the third Guiding Question, above)
↳ "Queer" is a term with many meanings. As a noun, it is a formerly derogatory term that was reclaimed by the queer community to describe diverse identities outside of normative cisgendered heterosexuality. As a verb, it is a practice of questioning, deconstructing, and emancipating from any ideas, identities, or behaviours that have been imposed and normalized by dominant mainstream culture. For us, queering (i.e. challenging societal norms) is a vital part of peacework. For more information on this, look up "Queer Theory".