Katherine Quaid

The lake was my first friend. I moved here in the summer of 2020 without connections to family, friends, or community. A lot of people weren't really going out of their way to meet new folks during the beginning of the pandemic. So I spent my first year here getting to know the lake, the connected ecosystems, the watersheds, the mountains. The lake would be the one holding my tears during those difficult times, or reflecting back my smiles and laughter when I thought of something funny on one of my walks. She offered a lot of care, and joy, and space during a really difficult time in my life and in our broader community and society. When you have a good friend like that, you don't give up on them. That's why I stay: because I want my friend to thrive and to be cared for and nurtured.  To me, that's what friendship is, and that's what relationship is. I want to use the tools I have to ensure that she continues to thrive for time immemorial.

Katherine Quaid is an Event Curator for the Stay Salty: Lakefacing Stories project. She grew up in Oregon and a citizen of the Confederated Tribes of Umatilla. Katherine moved to SLC in 2020, and her dedication to climate justice is tied to the lands of her ancestors and the many communities around the world fighting for a healthy future. She currently works as the Communications Coordinator for the Women’s Earth and Climate Action Network (WECAN).