Values & Cultural Integrity
The Way We Gather Matters.
She Rises was created from a shared vision: to bring people together in a space where they can show up as they are, feel a sense of belonging, and experience the power of genuine connection.
The way we create that space matters just as much as the experiences that happen within it.
Our values guide how we gather, how we work with our facilitators and partners, how we care for the land, and how we continue to grow as a community. They are a reminder of what we want She Rises to feel like—not just during the festival, but in the way we move through the world together.
What We Stand For
Safety, Welcome & Inclusion
We believe everyone deserves to feel welcome, respected and supported. We strive to create an environment where people can arrive as they are, without pressure to fit a particular mould or be at a certain point in their journey.
Authenticity & Self-Expression
There is no single way to show up at She Rises. Come ready to dance, explore, speak your truth, sit quietly, try something new or simply be. We value the freedom to express ourselves in ways that feel genuine and true.
Community, Connection & Belonging
There is something powerful about gathering with others who are open to connecting beyond the surface. We create opportunities for meaningful conversations, shared experiences and the kind of connection that reminds us we don't have to do everything alone.
Compassion, Empathy & Non-Judgment
We all arrive carrying different stories, experiences and perspectives. We aim to meet one another with compassion, curiosity and kindness, making room for differences without judgment.
Empowerment & Personal Growth
She Rises is an invitation to explore, learn, discover and reconnect with yourself. We honour each person's journey and trust that growth looks different for everyone. There is no pressure to change, achieve or become anything other than who you are.
Accessibility & Respect for Different Experiences
We recognize that people have different needs, backgrounds, abilities and life experiences. We are committed to listening, learning and considering how we can make She Rises more welcoming and accessible, while treating each person with dignity and respect.
Environmental Responsibility & Care for the Land
We are grateful for the land that holds us while we gather. We believe caring for the spaces we use is part of caring for one another. We strive to be thoughtful about our impact, respect the festival grounds and leave the land in good condition for those who come after us.
Collaboration, Reciprocity & Supporting Local
She Rises is made possible by a community of facilitators, makers, practitioners, small businesses, volunteers and collaborators who bring their gifts to the gathering. We value these relationships and believe in creating opportunities to support local talent, work together and contribute to a stronger community.
Cultural Integrity: Respect, Responsibility & Learning
We recognize that many cultural traditions, ceremonies and spiritual practices have deep histories, meaning and significance beyond what we may see on the surface.
At She Rises, we believe these traditions deserve to be approached with respect, context and care — not treated as trends or separated from the people, communities and lineages that have carried them forward.
We are committed to continuing to learn, to listening to people who hold cultural knowledge and lived experience, and to being mindful of the difference between appreciation and appropriation. We recognize that good intentions alone are not enough; how we approach these practices, whose voices we listen to, and how we represent them matters.
We are learning, and we know this is an ongoing responsibility. We welcome the opportunity to reflect, ask questions, receive feedback and make thoughtful choices as She Rises continues to grow.
Honouring the Land We Gather On
She Rises takes place in the Comox Valley on Vancouver Island, on the traditional territory of the K’ómoks First Nation.
We recognize that gathering on this land carries a responsibility to approach its history and ongoing Indigenous relationships with respect. As part of our 2027 festival, we are planning to invite a member of the K’ómoks First Nation to offer a land acknowledgment.
For us, this is an important step in being more intentional about how we recognize the land on which we gather. We also understand that a land acknowledgment is not an endpoint. It is an opportunity to listen, learn and continue reflecting on what respect and responsibility can look like in practice.
We approach this with humility and an understanding that this learning is ongoing.
How We Put Our Values Into Practice
Our values are more than words. They shape the choices we make and the community we hope to cultivate.
We are committed to:
Creating a welcoming environment
where people can show up as themselves and feel respected.Working with facilitators and presenters
who are encouraged to share their work with care, integrity and respect for the people and practices they represent.Supporting local makers and small businesses
by creating space for the people and offerings that enrich our community.Respecting boundaries and consent
and encouraging consideration for different lived experiences, needs and perspectives.Caring for the land
by being mindful of our environmental impact and treating the festival grounds with respect.Listening and continuing to learn
by remaining open to feedback, reflecting on our choices and looking for ways to grow.
We know that building a thoughtful, inclusive and respectful community is an ongoing practice. We won't always get everything perfect, but we are committed to approaching this work with honesty, care and a willingness to do better.
A Community We Create Together
She Rises is shaped by everyone who walks through its gates—the people who share their knowledge, offer their gifts, lend a hand, start a conversation, make space for someone new or simply arrive with an open heart.
Each of us plays a part in the kind of community we create.
Our hope is that She Rises becomes a place where you feel free to be yourself, where differences are met with respect, where connection comes naturally, and where we remember the strength that can emerge when we gather with care.
This is the spirit we bring to She Rises. And it's something we continue to build together.