In March of 2002 Matilda Atleo began her journey with Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council (NTC) in the nursing department. Prior to that, Atleo was working as a caterer after going to culinary school. At the time she catered to the nursing department at the NTC and sought out a volunteer position there.

Atleo endearingly shares, “I kept bugging her,” asking Jeannette Watts, manager of Nursing Services at NTC, if she could volunteer.

Atleo started out doing data input, which would begin 20 years of work dedicated to the health of Nuu-chah-nulth communities.

The morning began with a downpour of rain, a clear sign that marks the beginning of autumn in the Valley. But, by 1 p.m. the sun broke through the gray clouds making it perfect afternoon for a walk. 

A bill to re-introduce the Canada Disability Benefit Act has passed second reading and will now go to the standing committee on Human Resources, Skills and Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities.

Bill C-22, that passed second reading unanimously in the House of Commons on Oct. 18, is aimed to reduce poverty and to support the financial security of persons with disabilities by establishing the Canada Disability Benefit and making a consequential amendment to the Income Tax Act.

Maquinna Marine Provincial Park, also known as Hot Springs Cove, has reopened to the public after more than two years of closure. The park, which is located northwest of Tofino, was closed due to COVID-19 restrictions

Not all was lost over the two years, however. BC Parks teamed up with Ahoushaht’s Maaqutusiis Hahoulthee Stewardship Society (MHSS) to provide $1 million in infrastructure upgrades, most notably with a new cedar boardwalk trail.

Port Alberni, BC – Highway 4, the east/west connector between Qualicum Beach and Tofino, has been growing and improving over the years, allowing more than 1 million visitors access to the Pacific Coast according to VancouverIsland.com – and it cuts straight through Tseshaht’s Indian Reserve #1. They say they were never consulted about the road, nor have they ever received compensation for land taken away from their main residential reserve to build the road.

Burnaby, BC – Victoria Redhead is an extremely busy woman. She works full time at a dentist’s office and spends the remainder of her time crafting elegant food spreads to be enjoyed at events and functions.

Although it’s a fairly time-consuming task, putting together a charcuterie board is an art form. There isn’t a ‘cookie cutter’ style to an Owl Aboard spread either, some trays and boards have to be crafted with partially or fully vegan friendly options, which isn’t too easy with a board traditionally filled with meat and cheese.

Coastal British Columbia – Fisheries and Oceans Canada is warning the public not to harvest clams, cockles, and other bivalves currently near Barkley Sound due to health and safety risks arising from intense rain in the area after an extended period of drought.

The announcement was made Oct. 27, 2022 and covers almost all of coastal British Columbia, including Clayoquot Sound, Kyuquot and Nootka Sound in Nuu-chah-nulth territories, according to a Fisheries and Oceans Canada map.

Malachan, BC – The end of summer marks the beginning of the rainy season for most of Vancouver Island, however for the Ditidaht village, Malachan, the heavy rain means significant flooding which leaves the roads unsafe, and residents trapped. Seasonal flooding usually goes hand-in-hand with power failures, further isolating the residents from the outside world.

Port Alberni, BC – Usma Nuu-chah-nulth invited children in care to an event designed to teach the children about Nuu-chah-nulth war veterans and the familial connections that exist between them and their war heroes.

“Usma is inviting children and youth to share a meal with local veterans and have the opportunity to honour their past and present family members,” said the invitation. The event was held at the Usma office building in Port Alberni on Oct. 21 and started with lunch.