Today the Tseshaht First Nation began work scanning the former site of the Alberni Indian Residential School, with the aim of locating unmarked burials that resulted from the 81 years that children attended institutions at the location.

Approximately 100 hectares of the First Nation’s territory west of the Somass River has been researched over the past several months, with general locations of where former students could have been buried identified with the help of AIRS survivors.

Police are encouraging the public to be on the lookout for a regular customer to the Tseshaht Market, Amber Manthorne, who was last seen Wednesday, July 6.

After her disappearance was reported to police on Friday, Manthorne’s vehicle was discovered south of Nanaimo on Sunday. The 2021 Jeep Compass was found near the airport, thanks to “the vigilance and concern of a citizen,” stated the Port Alberni RCMP.

Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation is calling upon regional leaders on Vancouver Island’s west coast to come together to tackle the issue of affordable housing in the region.

One consequence of the housing crisis is that Tla-o-qui-aht members have lost the ability to return to live in their homelands, read a release issued by Tla-o-qui-aht’s ha’wiih (hereditary chiefs) and elected council on July 4.

Meanwhile, visitors looking for an affordable place to camp are lucky to find a $200 site, the release added.

As a sign of Bamfield and Anacla’s continued growth, the area’s community school is preparing to take in high school grades in the fall, offering local teenagers the opportunity to pursue their secondary education at home.

After sitting at under 100 residents for years, the Huu-ay-aht village of Anacla has grown to over 150 residents since 2020, with more homes being built as the First Nation encourages its members to return to their ancestral territory.

As Eddie Frank travelled to Opitsaht from Tofino in a water taxi, he openly spoke over the phone sharing his excitement about witnessing the raising of a totem pole for the first time.

The 71-year-old had seen it done in videos before, but never in person – and never in Nuu-chah-nulth territory.

“It means a lot to me,” he said. “I don’t see too many totem poles on the west coast.”

The province is pointing a finger at pharmaceutical companies as a factor in the opioid crisis, a six-year public health emergency that continues to claim five lives a day – with heavier tolls among First Nations communities.

“Due to the ongoing concerns relating to the COVID-19 Omicron sub-variants, we need to weigh the risks of hosting the annual Tlu-piich Games this year.  We recognize the importance of making decisions with the health, well being and safety a priority for everyone.  For this reason, the decision has been made to cancel the games for 2022, and instead, look toward 2023 to host the Tlu-piich Games.  We know that this may be disappointing to some, but we do ask for your patience and understanding as we continue to navigate our way with your children and family well-being in mind.

Less than one week after Ditidaht Ha’wiih and elected officials served an eviction notice to an activist group illegally blocking a logging road, RCMP moved in to remove the encampment and arrest activists.

On June 23, Ditidaht, with support from neighbors Pacheedaht and Huu-ay-aht, arrived at the site on Carmanah Main to confront the old-growth forest activists, ordering them to leave.

After a two-year shutdown that included an uncertain period for the future of the destination, the Ka:'yu:'k't'h'/Che:k'tles7et'h' First Nation’s resort has rebounded this summer to reclaim its place in a growing tourism industry.

After much anticipation, Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation, the Yuułuʔiłʔatḥ Government and Parks Canada joined together in welcoming visitors to use the new multi-use pathway at the Combers Beach trailhead in the Pacific Rim National Parks Reserve on June 28.

The path, which extends around 25-kilometres, traverses through the traditional territories of Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation and Yuułuʔiłʔatḥ, on the west coast of Vancouver Island.