Supporting the 6th Annual Q’ushin’tul Ancestors Walk on Salt Spring Island

We are honoured to support the upcoming 6th annual Q’ushin’tul Ancestors Walk, taking place on Salt Spring Island from May 23–25, 2025. This three-day cultural journey brings together Indigenous Elders, youth, and settlers in unity, ceremony, and learning on the Coast Salish territories at Xwaaqw’um / Hwmet’utsum (Burgoyne Bay / Mount Maxwell).

This year marks a meaningful milestone: the first time the walk will be held on Salt Spring Island. With the 2025 themes of Unity, Peace, and Learning, the walk continues to be led by respected Quw’utsun Elder Qwuiahwulthw (Robert George), whose guidance has shaped this event over the years into a powerful space for cultural exchange, healing, and connection.

Although all participant spaces are now full, we invite our broader community to join us in supporting this important work in other ways. At SSI Farmland Trust, we’re proud to contribute by donating the use of our commercial kitchen facility, enabling the walk’s volunteer cooks and organizers to prepare nourishing meals for the 80+ walkers and support crew.

Throughout the walk, participants will engage in ceremony, storytelling, shared meals, camping, and teachings rooted in Indigenous knowledge systems and cultural protocols. It’s a transformative experience for many—settlers and Indigenous alike—rooted in land-based learning and the strengthening of decolonial relationships.

Help Support This Journey

The fundraising goal is $5,000, which will go directly toward food, firewood, transportation, ferry costs for Indigenous participants, camping gear for Indigenous and racialized walkers, and honorariums for Elders, knowledge keepers, and traditional cooks.

This event requires year-round organizing. Any additional funds raised will help sustain and expand future cultural events that nurture cross-cultural understanding and respect on Coast Salish lands.

We encourage our community to support this work. Whether you’re able to donate, spread the word, or simply take time to reflect on what it means to live as a guest on these lands—your involvement matters.

To donate or learn more, please reach out to the organizing team at: https://chuffed.org/project/127464-qushintul-ancestors-walk-walking-together OR walkingtogetherinunity@gmail.com

Huy t’seep q’u / Thank you,

The Q’ushin’tul 2025 Organizing Team

With support from SSI Farmland Trust