As a student at the Christie Indian Residential School, Ray Williams recalls the excitement of getting his monthly chocolate bar. He also remembers the joy of a film night in the institution. From the darkness of the girls’ gym, the flickering image acted as an introduction to the modern world for a child who had never seen a movie before.
Work is continuing to improve First Nations’ access to support in the legal system, a gap identified in the aftermath of the 2016 death of a Port Alberni woman after a night in a jail cell.
A memorandum of understanding (MOU) was recently signed between the British Columbia First Nations Justice Council (BCFNJC), the province and the federal government to support the implementation of the BC First Nations Justice Strategy.
Ricky-Lee Watts struggled with his confidence as a boy growing up in the small, coastal town of Port Alberni.
Like most teenagers, he was desperate to fit in and pretended the racial slurs his peers regularly used in conversation didn’t impact him.
“Folks would reject my identity as a Nuu-chah-nulth Indigenous First Nations person, and all that pressure, or the influence of my environment, caused me to reject a part of myself,” Watts said. “It hindered my ability to have a voice.”
Provincial officials are lauding a new program that is geared at benefitting Indigenous cannabis producers in British Columbia.
Though he believes the program can be viewed as a positive step, Ken Watts, the chief councillor of the Tseshaht First Nation, is still rather skeptical of how successful the B.C. Indigenous Cannabis Product (BCICP) program will be.
The B.C. government announced it was launching the BCICP program on Jan. 18.
DFO has reversed a widely criticized spot prawn management regulation, a decision seen as a major victory for harvesters, coastal communities and all who appreciate the seafood delicacy.
Spot prawn fishermen, including many in Nuu-chah-nulth waters, will be able to continue the customary practice of “tubbing” their catch at sea for the next year or two, a DFO concession that has many heaving a sigh of relief.
The critical highway between Port Alberni and Tofino currently has limited cellular service, leaving travelers and commuters without any way of contacting family, friends or emergency services in the event of an accident.
That’s about to change, as Rogers announced it will be expanding its coverage along the 85-kilometre stretch of highway by building six new cellular towers, and upgrading two existing towers between the coastal communities.
A water taxi carrying six people hit a reef in waters between Tofino and Ahousaht Tuesday morning, injuring four of the six people aboard.
Environment Canada issued a fog warning for areas all around Vancouver Island on the morning of Jan. 24.
“Areas of dense fog are expected to lift by this afternoon. Visibility may be significantly and suddenly reduced to near zero,” they said in their public statement.
The Port Alberni RCMP have arrested a teen ten months after the murder of 20-year-old Clifton Johnston of Ahousaht.
“On January 19, 2022, a charge of 2nd degree murder was sworn against a 16-year-old male for the murder of Clifton Johnston that occurred on March 27, 2021, on 4th Avenue in Port Alberni. An arrest warrant was issued,” the RCMP said in a statement.
They went on to say that the male was arrested on Jan. 20, by Port Alberni RCMP members. His identity cannot be provided due to the Youth Criminal Justice Act.
The prime minister’s recent mandate letter to the new DFO minister speaks of the need to “advance consistent, sustainable and collaborative fisheries arrangements” with First Nations, but some Nuu-chah-nulth leaders believe that the federal department has a long way to go until the relationship is a partnership.
It isn’t the first time, and it certainly won’t be the last, but residents of Nitinaht Lake face flooded road access to their community more often thanks to heavy snowfall and a trio of atmospheric weather events so far this winter.
Nitinaht resident and mother of four, Crystal Watts, came home on the evening of Jan. 11 to find the road leading into the community flooded. Just after midnight on Jan. 12 she posted a video of her frightening ride through the flooded section of road.