Maritimes-Guatemala Breaking the Silence 2026 Annual Gathering - Weekend Pass

June 26 - 28, 2026

Date and Time Details:
Arrival Friday, June 26, 4 - 6 pm - Orientation
Departure Sunday, June 28, 3 pm

Location:
Dorje Denma Ling
2280 Balmoral Road
The Falls, NS, Canada

Price:
Price depends on lodging options
Pay in full or place a 30% deposit

Lodge Room: Single Occupancy – CAD $240.00
Lodge Room: Two Twin Beds
ONLY add the number of people on beds.
Rent 1 foam floor mat in the next section to accommodate a third person – CAD $120.00
Wood Cabin: Three Twin Beds
ONLY add the number of people on beds.
Rent up to 2 additional foam floor mats in the next section to accommodate up to 5 people – CAD $80.00
Large White Tent: Two Twin Beds --ONLY add the number of people on beds.
Rent 1 foam floor mat in the next section to accommodate a third person – CAD $90.00
White Hut Single Occupancy – CAD $140.00
White Hut: Two Twin Beds -- ONLY add the number of people on beds.
Rent 1 foam floor mat in the next section to accommodate a third person – CAD $70.00
Bring Your Own Tent
Platform provided – CAD $50.00
RV, Camper, Car/Van & Tent Camping
Without a platform – CAD $40.00

Maritimes-Guatemala Breaking the Silence (BTS) Network 2026 Annual Gathering
Rooted in resistance, continuing our solidarity!

This year, as BTS reconfigures its relationship with Tatamagouche Centre, we gratefully welcome the opportunity to hold our Annual Gathering at a new site–still within the Tatamagouche Area–Dorje Denma Ling. And a new venue for our cherished AG is not the only exciting thing to look forward to.

BTS is incredibly privileged to have, as our 2026 Guatemalan guest, exiled Judge Miguel Angel Gálvez, presently based in Costa Rica and a Fellow of the Guatemalan Human Rights Commission in Washington. Judge Gálvez is recognized for his leadership and courage as a judge who presided over cases that were key to fighting for democracy, judicial independence and against impunity in Guatemala.

Judge Gálvez has ruled on charges against former dictators, sitting presidents, death squad operators, oligarchs and drug cartels. Notably, he served as an investigating judge against former military leader and dictator José Efraín Ríos Montt, who became the first former head of state to be convicted of genocide by a domestic court; and ordered the arrest of former president Otto Pérez Molin, who is being tried on corruption charges related to a major customs fraud scam.

In November 2022, he was forced to flee into exile. After four years in exile, he courageously put his name forward to serve as a judge of the Constitutional Court, the highest court of Guatemala, although ultimately he was not chosen.

We are delighted that BTS’s Guatemala Coordinator, Javier López; Cooperant and Intern Program Coordinator, Martha Schmitz; Maritimes Coordinator, Arturo Ezquerro-Cañete; and Interim Maritimes Coordinator, Sheena Cameron, will be with us. Along with Judge Gálvez, they will update us on this critical and conflictual period in Guatemala, where it is hoped that the present corrupt Attorney-General, Claudio Porras, will be removed from her post.

Our present Cooperant at the New Hope Foundation, Meara Donovan, will Zoom from Rabinal to share her experience at the New Hope High School. We will meet online our new Interns who head to Guatemala in August.

As always, we’ll have time for community building and a Saturday night fiesta! Please start to think about your contributions to our Silent Auction too!

We will have significant time this AG to do some important maintenance on our network. Former BTS intern Nelly Marcoux will lead us through an exercise to sketch a roadmap for BTS for the next five years. This exercise will take up most of Sunday’s programming, which goes until 4pm. We hope as many people as possible can stay into Sunday afternoon!

For more than three decades, the Annual Gathering has been fundamental to building and sustaining BTS solidarity. This year, we hope to have as many BTS members and supporters attend as possible. Your presence matters — so please come to reconnect, build new relationships, learn about Guatemalan struggles, and be inspired by ongoing support and action.

By default, when clicking on the registration button, you will be brought to the Weekend Pass Page.

If you are not spending the night with us, please use this link to register for your Day Pass:

Day Pass Information & Registration

And click below to register for the Free Friday Evening Public Talk by Judge Miguel Angel Gálvez:

Public Talk Information & Registration

Who May Attend

The Breaking the Silence Annual Gathering is open to all!

DDL gatherings are sustained by helping hands

This event will include a small contribution of your time to help support daily operations — we call this rota.

Dishes
Food Prep
Child care
Your strengths and availability will be considered when creating the schedule
If you have physical limitations that may affect your ability to participate, note this in the registration form and we’ll accommodate you

Cost

The weekend price includes onsite meals, your Friday and Saturday lodging options, entry to all the Annual Gathering activities including the Saturday Night Fiesta.

We welcome family with children. Children 12 and under will get their own discounted pass. Infants 3 and under will stay for free.

You will have the option to pay in full or place a 30% deposit to hold your spot.

Generosity Policy

We understand the reality of financial barriers. That’s why we offer bursaries to help lower program costs. Throughout the year, our dedicated volunteers sell BTS coffee and Guatemalan crafts to ensure that everyone who supports BTS can attend our Annual Gathering. Please do not stay away because of a lack of funds! We need you! If you can afford to, it’s helpful that you contribute all or a portion of the cost.

As always, child care will be coordinated. We will have some people committed to child care for the duration of the AG. To cut back on costs, we will be asking parents to assist with child care for one or two sessions so that all can participate. Feel free to request a bursary as compensation if you’re willing to take on some child care!

You will have the opportunity to request a bursary at registration. Single occupancy for any lodging option may only request up to a 50% off their registration.

BTS-bursary50

BTS-bursary100

BTS-bursary150

BTS-bursary250

BTS-bursary320