A young woman has been seated as Huu-ay-aht’s Tyee Ha’wilth (Principal chief) as invited Ha’wiih and elders applauded in approval. The subdued celebration was held at Hupacasath’s House of Gathering over the weekend in front of a small crowd of invited guests. 

Flanked by her parents and elders, hupałʔas (Olivia Peters) warmly greeted everyone with a hug as they entered the hall on Saturday, March 7, 2026. It would be her first day as hereditary leader of the Huu-ay-aht.

It’s coming down to the wire in the preparation for the 2026 BC Junior All Native basketball tournament, and over 1,855 youth athletes from 129 teams are visualizing nothing but net as they pack their bags for an away tournament of a lifetime.

Over the second weekend of March Maht Mahs once again turned into a hub of ball hockey action for a three-day tournament held to support those affected by the toxic drug crisis.

Held March 6-8, this year the annual fentanyl ball hockey event attracted 17 teams, including groups who travelled from Tofino, Port Hardy, Alert Bay and Vancouver. Local Port Alberni teams played in honour of loved ones lost due to the toxic drug crisis, and the event serves as a fundraiser to support those struggling to recover from addiction.

On the B.C. coast, fishing is a tradition that runs deep in the blood of Indigenous families – but the critical role women have had in sustaining this livelihood has at times been an untold story.

Rosemary Georgeson, who has Sahtu Dene and Coast Salish roots, took her first steps on her father’s old fish packing boat. To support his family living on the south of Galiano Island, George Georgeson was a commercial fisherman – a common occupation for coastal residents at the time. By the time Rosemary was 14 she was working on boats, and owned her first vessel later in her teens.

It’s been over a month, and Rosemarie Harry of Quwut’sun Nation (Cowichan) is still missing from Duncan. She was last seen by a friend on Jan. 28 and was reported missing on Feb. 4.

On March 4, North Cowichan/Duncan RCMP released a new photo of her obtained from CCTV. The date and location of the photo is unknown, but appears to be in a city street with people around. 

Since Harry, 34, was reported missing, police say they have undertaken “extensive investigative steps” in efforts to locate her.

As the sun appears to be setting on salmon farming in British Columbia, the industry remains a divisive topic amongst coastal First Nations. Some declare their territorial right to economic development, while other First Nations say pathogens spread from fish farms aren’t giving wild Pacific salmon stocks a chance to recover.

Accolades and contracts are pouring in for Thunderbird Spirit Water.

The company offers both still and sparkling water products is 100 per cent owned and operated by Uchucklesaht Tribe Government, a Nuu-chah-nulth First Nation from southwest Vancouver Island.

Thunderbird Spirit Water was a nominee for the best Indigenous business at the Vancouver Island Business Excellence Awards last month.

Nanaimo’s Petroglyph Development Group ended up winning in this particular award category. 

A Memorandum of Understanding between the Huu-ay-aht and B.C. Corrections was recently signed at the First Nation’s Port Alberni office, opening the lines of communication between the parties to help citizens reintegrate back into the community after incarceration. 

Huu-ay-aht Chief Councillor Sayaacath, John Jack, said that the First Nation has been meeting with provincial and municipal governments to talk about community safety. 

“We have discussions around the types of ways that we can work with one another,” he said.

On Monday seagulls could be seen divebombing into the ocean near the base of Catface Mountain, the waters near the shore a milky hue.

The birds were tapping into a current of excitement spreading through Nuu-chah-nulth territory, as herring continue their late-winter tradition. This reproductive activity entails each female laying thousands of eggs that stick to underwater rocks, silt and kelp, awaiting the milky spawn from male herring that turn portions of the Pacific into a lighter aquamarine blue.