Guidepost

Responsive, Holistic, & Place-Based

This is an invitation is to become restorative in how we live, work, play, educate, govern, and interact with each other, the land and water.

Restorative values, principles and practices are to be implemented across multiple spaces — families, neighbourhoods, schools, parks, workplaces, policing, government and more.

Being restorative is about being responsive, flexible and holistic, and is informed by people and place.

No cookie cutter or top-down approach would work, especially given our diversity.

Effective processes are co-designed, drawing upon vast available lived experiences, research and wisdom.

There is an acknowledgement of people’s unique lived experiences, intersectionality of social identities, and impacts of structures of power and privilege.

Being restorative requires that we co-create accessible, brave spaces and places for connecting, ceremony, difficult conversations and resolution processes.

These places are physical locations indoors and outdoors. Spaces are also created within policies, procedures, meetings, and projects to ensure people feel respected, included, safe, seen, heard and able to express their authentic selves.

Restorative approaches can thus be implemented anywhere, anytime.

Processes, spaces and places are designed holistically and support us in active listening, sharing, becoming aware, regulating, learning, healing and being our best selves. Their designs incorporate nature, beauty, creativity, sound, colours and bring us into the present moment and open us to possibilities.

Attention is given to the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual aspects of beings and experiences.

Being responsive, holistic and place-based also recognizes that we are not separate from the natural world that feeds, nurtures, heals, sustains and inspires us. The natural and supernatural world of these lands enlighten how we become and be restorative.

It is a gift to be alive and to live on these lands. Celebration, joy and play are encouraged. Laughter is medicine too. This is also an invitation to be brave and bold in how we imagine, express and creatively grow together.

Being restorative will be reflected in many faces, places and spaces, collaboratively built by, with and for all people in caring reciprocity with the animals, land and water.

By Dr. Evelyn Zellerer
Peace of the Circle, 2026