She is Wild and Culture Camp

She is Wild - oh my goodness, there’s something incredible that happens when women gather, of like mind, heart and intention. First, a little bit of “backstory” to what unfolded.

Back in 2023, I was slated to go to She is Wild in Boston Bar, volunteering and experiencing this beautiful festival - alas - plans were shifted as the event was canceled due to wildfire. Fast forward to 2026, a wildfire was causing road closures and limited access, threatening the area where the festival was to be held in Boston Bar (and the fire continues to rage, prayers up to the community) - last minute, the entire festival pivoted to be held at a location in Summerland where the organizer regularly holds ceremony. It was truly a magical, miraculous coming together. We were blessed with clear skies - though strong winds the day before opening (which collapsed the main stage tent and also damaged the frame of my canopy a bit - described to me as the “tsunami of winds” - gratefully, those on scene when it happened at around 10pm quickly pulled down my roof and walls to try to eliminate further damage - I had just gone to bed, thinking the “worst was over” [I can picture Mother Nature replying, “Challenge accepted!”].

So, just like that, 140 people - 140 women flowed, like the river, when an obstacle presents itself, around the obstacle - to come together - to co-create - to celebrate - the land and each other. We danced, we prayed, we released, we shared - so much power, so much genuine love and support. It was needed for my soul.

I found myself able to release some deep grief…grief I knew I was holding, though wasn’t able to fully process - it was slowly percolating beneath the surface, waiting for all the “right” elements to come together in order for it to bubble forth. I haven’t shared with many people, though my family lost a baby last October - a baby boy - my little “unicorn”…a surprise arrival, and an unexpected loss.  My husband and I now raise a son on the other side, and brothers grow up with a sibling there, as well. I am a big advocate for grief, so much is repressed in our society, though it can be so challenging at times to give ourselves the authority to express it. (If you need help and support to grieve through your own loss, please reach out, it’s one of those raw and real things that yes, is one of the many experiences of many lives, though has it’s own moving parts and deserves to be held with the gentleness and care you would if your sweet miracle had made it Earth side. I don’t believe any of us should just “get over it” - which seems to me to be a toxic belief held to get us back into production for the system - as if feeling and expressing such emotions in any given moment is an inconvenience to the program.)

Whilst I did my own healing, I also offered tea leaf readings and a space for those desiring it to off-load, explore and reflect - Kirstin joined me in set up and she offered intuitive tea blending for those that felt called to create their own special blend - which I would then read after they enjoyed what flowed through them. Sharing time and space with her made the experience that much more exceptional - I love co-creating experiences with her. She adds such a fun element to any occasion! And her wisdom is deep, selfless and thoughtful. One of our discussions was how powerful it would be to offer a collective tea blending and reading experience to all that would be interested, and hope to offer this experience in future.

I also took the opportunity to finally - finally - get my hair cut. It had been long overdue - about 14 months since my last cut - and it wasn’t just any cut - I went for the ceremonial cut. It was filled with intention, connection and release - guided and nurtured by Lyudmila - Lumi as she was affectionately known - she helped me move past all this stuff I had held for so long, release it, and move forward lighter, with more intention and awareness of what I was calling in. She was also super supportive of my sensitivity about my hair - I referred to it almost as a “PTSD” about my hair - how many times I’ve had haircuts that left me unhappy and having to just dig into my resilience until it finally fixed itself. She is amazing and I highly recommend her for your ceremonial hair cut - she is located in the Salmon Arm/Armstrong area and you can contact her by email: kismetkreations2987@gmail.com

As I had come to help with setting up the event, I was there 2 days early, and on the second day I must have walked at least 10km back and forth between the camping area and the event area - over uneven ground, hot and sweaty, dusty and dirty…my feet ached so badly, the most sore I think I’ve ever felt them to be honest. Instinct urged me to remove my shoes and place my feet upon our beautiful Mother…and all the pain alleviated. I kept my feet bare as much as I could from that point on.

Cell service was minimal - literally - I might get one bar in a random location for very little time, just enough to receive a text or two from my husband, and maybe send a couple back, though I was quite disconnected from my family. There was the option of hiking up a hill…described as  “short walk” - perhaps it was normally, though after a full day of work, it seemed anything but - nonetheless, up I went one time to catch up on things, communicate more deeply with my husband and sons, and whet my curiosity for the space known as “The Chapel”. I noticed there were a number “portals” on my walk up, as well as on the descent - where trees created a bowing affect, and each time I imagined myself being transported to my highest timeline, shedding all that no longer serves, connecting me to all that is. I have learned not to take for granted the offerings of “portals” or “doorways” - especially in nature. As with anything, they are there to serve us - who we are and our intentions.

One of the portals

It was both challenging and refreshing to be traveling solo, without having to attend to the needs of my family - as a full-time, homeschool mama, much of my focus is upon what is needed by those closest to me, especially my children. It’s like a recalibration - reconnecting to myself without having to ensure everyone else’s needs are met - just my own. The challenging part is simultaneously missing them, wishing they were there - wanting to share the experience.

 Jaguar medicine was on My home for 5 nights! Kirstin protects her hand

my suitcase all along! with a sock.

I returned home after 5 days away to quickly unload, reload and then head to Pasulko Lake  in Lytton, for Culture Camp. I really wasn’t sure what was going to happen, if it was still a go - with the forest fires raging nearby, road closures, smoke, etc - I got to sleep in my own bed for a night, and then off we went for our second time to this beautiful location.

Culture Camp is something else - I supported 39 people over a period of 3 days with tea leaf readings - I was hired by the Lytton Justice Society /Lytton First Nations for the second year in a row to come and be a part of the event. Once again, I was off-grid, and thankfully, with my family. It’s such a treat for them - the children run free, there are a plethora of cultural activities to explore, many different healers, meals are provided - it’s truly an experience I am so grateful to be a part of. The land itself has been a space for ceremony, visited by medicine people and healers to help others shed their suffering. Those that are sensitive to the energies might pick up on things and it can be a bit unnerving.

One of the women I read for was a bear dancer - she shared with me some fir, juniper and rose smudge spray that she had made - gave me a parting gift of the smudge to be used either externally or internally to clear trauma from the body. I took a sip - and felt some deep, gentle shifts within. It could also be used by pouring over your head in the shower to help cleanse the energy. She had some bundles made up to brew my own - I’ll have to get special pot to boil it in as it tends to permanently stain the pot. She had a variety of bear pelts that she traveled with and even more at home, as a bear dancer - honoring the spirit of the bear - we were blessed with her bear dance and stories at the closing ceremony. I could feel the energy stirring, protection, awareness, inspiration flowing through.

If you are on Facebook, you can find more photos on the Nlha'7Kapmx Child and Family Services page.

The days were warm and the nights were cool - and thankfully, the air was mostly clear until the event was over. Most everyone packed up and went home on Thursday, and that evening, the smoke rolled in. We chose to stay, instead of rushing back to reality, and shared time with some new friends - last year, my older son, Thayus, made friends with their son - and this year, we all got to know one another over food and stories. It is a blessing to find those of similar perspective. It’s like building a tribe - finding allies is so needed these days.

Being off-grid was so cleansing - not to being tempted or bombarded by the calls of the pings and requests from the world. It was so hard to return home, it was like entering a blissful dream…and then having to leave it for reality once the time was up. I still feel like I’m recovering from the return home after 3 days of being back!