Recap: Common Waters Gathering 2: Headwaters
On a Sunday afternoon in early October, farmers, fishers, storytellers, scientists, conservation leaders, filmmakers, photographers, children, bald eagles, blue herons, and salmon all converged on a bend of the South Fork Nooksack River near Van Zandt in northwest Washington. The sun was shining. The weather was sweet.
More than sixty of us—some in boots, some with cameras or notepads, all with open hearts—journeyed past a freshly harvested corn field, navigated through a grid of recently planted native tree saplings, and gathered in a circle of chairs under a towering maple.
Stories and Welcome
We introduced ourselves with a few words about what connects us to the river. Nooksack Tribal elder Tammy Woodrich and her daughter Angela Letoi—both powerful voices in their community—welcomed us with stories from the Nooksack people, stewards of this valley since time immemorial. Jeff Bos, our facilitator and founder of dialogue practice Foment, reminded us of Dr. Bayo Akomolafe's wisdom: "the times are urgent; let us slow down." The Soulcraft Allstars film crew blended into the background, respectfully documenting our collective story with everyone's consent.
Trevor Delgato of the Nooksack Tribe’s Cultural Resources Department, and Jenn Mackey, Stewardship Director at Whatcom Land Trust, shared stories of partnership and restoration work near the mouth of Todd Creek and throughout Stewart Mountain Community Forest, which dominated the skyline beside us. The scope of these reforestation and upland ecology projects became real as we sat among a young "forest garden" that replaced acres of "old growth blackberry"—work that will help heal living systems and natural flows vital for everything downstream.
We paired up to walk with folks we hadn't met before, strolling past more young forest and through a portal to a gravel bar with an expansive view of the Nooksack's sun-soaked valley. There we discovered cookies and brownies baked by Aaron Straight's mother-in-law and a trove of perfect skipping stones.
Listening to the River
Jeff invited us to take twenty minutes in silence, considering "what the river is to us, and what we are to the river." Salmon meandered upstream. Several bald eagles traced the river's bends. All of us witnessed the great blue heron that flew behind Connor Harron—a social ecologist working at the intersection of community and landscape—as we gathered in another circle to share reflections.
Jay Julius, former chairman and lifelong leader of the Lummi Nation, reminded us that "the river is alive; she is gentle and she needs us to protect her."
Ages in the circle ranged from 6 to 83, but for a while, it was hard to tell who was young and who was old.
We were joined by new friends and many who've been with us from the beginning—including Brad Rader of Rader Farm, Dana Wilson of the Lummi Nation, Rich Appel of Appel Farms, Mauri Ingram of Whatcom Community Foundation, Satpal Singh Sidhu of Whatcom County and the Punjabi farming community, and Free Borsey, Lummi fisherman and community organizer.
As the sun dropped beneath Stewart Mountain's western rim, many piled aboard a hay wagon lent by a neighboring farmer for the trip back to our cars. Meanwhile, volunteers—including four Western Washington University students who are weaving their participation into a class project on community-engaged learning—broke down tents, tables, and chairs across the multiple sites we'd traversed.
An Evening of Connection
As the sky dimmed to orange, we regathered at The Commons at Unity & Flora for a meal crafted by Chef Mataio Gillis along with project supporters Lisa Samuel, Jesse Straight, Carla Shaver, Hanako Dionne, and Zurai Straight—a feast of salmon, lamb, chanterelle mushrooms, wines, greens, and more, primarily sourced from the very watershed we'd gathered to honor.
Angela shared the stage with friend Rachel Vasak, Executive Director of Whatcom Land Trust, to tell a story of the salmon people. Lisa Wilson of the Lummi Nation offered a powerful blessing for the meal, inviting her nephews Free and Raven Borsey to stand and share the moment.
After diving into the first two courses, artist Christopher Remmers unveiled two stunning portraits of Angela and Free. Aaron premiered two new filmed vignettes of Lisa and Rich, plus a powerful recap of our June Common Waters event—featuring many folks in the room. There were more than a few tears of joy.
"The root of most of our problems are relational," Rich said. He reminded us that this work, while it can feel slow, is the groundwork necessary to rebuild community—a community that can make better decisions together.
Looking Ahead
Before we closed, Free shared a generous invitation: this spring, we'll gather at the Nooksack Delta with friends from the Lummi Nation—a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to experience the river through the eyes of Lummi fishermen. Space will be limited. Details coming soon.
These encounters—where people from all walks of life come together in honesty and curiosity—are rare and precious. The road ahead will include difficult conversations about shared resources, but this gathering reminded us that connection is the foundation of all true progress. And the river holds that connection for all of us.
In the meantime, we'll continue the conversations—in small circles, along riverbanks, around kitchen tables—exploring what we can build together. If you feel called to lend your voice or your skills, we would love to hear from you.
With gratitude and respect,
The Water Wars (how to avoid) team
Aaron Straight | Jeff Bos | Ethan Smith | Christopher Remmers | Mauri Ingram
