It has been several decades since a sea-worthy canoe has been carved in Pacheedaht territory but that is about to change as two PFN youth will spend their summer apprenticing under the guidance of Makah master carver, Hawt’wilth’iayatuk, Micah McCarty.

This rare opportunity came as a result of a partnership between Pacheedaht First Nation and the University of Victoria.

The B.C. government has allocated $12 million to support First Nations examine former residential school sites, following the federal government’s commitment of $27 million.

The funding will be used to support First Nations as they begin their own investigations to identify and locate children who died at residential schools. It is also meant to commemorate residential school sites, along with provide mental health support.

World renowned artist Art Thompson was honored in his home territory June 28, 18 years after he lost his battle to cancer. A carving project, three years in the making, came to a finish with a solemn ceremony under sweltering summer skies.

In 2018, staff of the Ditidaht Community School along with former elected chief Jack Thompson came up with an idea that would not only commemorate Art Thompson, but would also serve as a learning opportunity for the children.

DFO says it is moving swiftly to close 60 per cent of commercial salmon fisheries on the B.C. coast while consulting with First Nations on changes to communal-commercial licences as part of an all-out initiative to reverse steep declines of Pacific salmon.

Fisheries Minister Bernadette Jordan announced the harvest-based conservation measures Tuesday, June 29 as an initial step towards longer-term reductions in fishing pressure on threatened salmon stocks.

Calls for a moratorium on old growth logging could go against constitutional rights, warns the Huu-ay-aht, as they weight the need to retain forests for future generations against the immediate task of bringing more of their people out of poverty.

As part of the Maa-nulth treaty, the Nuu-chah-nulth nation is stressing its right to be considered in any decisions to halt old growth logging in its territory.

In a move to better incorporate First Nations culture at the Wickaninnish Community School in Tofino, 13 food murals have been hung around the facility’s garden displaying the Nuu-chah-nulth words of various plants and animals. 

Spearheaded by Paula Robertson, Tofino Community Food Initiative school garden lead, the project was born out of a desire to celebrate the Indigenous plants around Tofino.

After hearing eight days of testimony, the coroner’s inquest into the 2016 death of Jocelyn George concluded that there are critical gaps in supports to Indigenous youth in the system.

George was 18 years old when she was placed in police cells on June 23, 2016. She had been under the influence of drugs and was unable to care for herself.

British Columbia will be lifting many of its COVID-19 restrictions on July 1 as the province moves into stepp three of its restart plan.

After the longest public health emergency in Canadian history, Premier John Horgan announced on Tuesday that he believes it’s safe to take the next step.

“That means we can go and cheer for our kids at the soccer game in the arena – in the gymnasium, we can go to a friend's place for dinner, we can plan that wedding, we can go to the theatre, we can go to a concert, we can engage again,” he said. 

Excitement was in the air as Ahousaht’s graduating class of 2021 prepared for the first indoor celebration since the pandemic struck more than a year ago.

The Commencement Ceremony took place on the school track, allowing more people to enjoy the celebration in the larger, outdoor space.

Each graduate was escorted from the high school, past the crowd, to their seats.

The acting principal, Ali Herron, congratulated the class of 2021 before thanking parents and school staff for their unwavering support of the graduates.

Due to the record-breaking temperatures sweeping British Columbia, the Pacheedaht First Nation have issued a statement calling for protestors to vacate the Fairy Creek area with the increased risk of wildfires.