Tseshaht First Nation is condemning the “threatening” behaviour of a customer who was non-compliant with the COVID-19 protection measures at the Tseshaht First Nation Market and Gas Bar.

As part of the nation’s safety protocols, patrons are required to wear a facemask and sanitize their hands before entering the market.

Increasingly, staff has been met with “grumbling” customers who reject the safety measures, said Hugh Braker, Tseshaht Emergency Operations Centre information officer.

An independent review into the discrimination of Indigenous people in B.C.’s health-care system has found “widespread” and “insidious” problems touching all points of care.

The report, In Plain Sight: Addressing Indigenous-specific Racism and Discrimination in B.C. Health Care, was prompted by allegations about an organized “Price is Right” game involving guessing the blood alcohol contents of Aboriginal patients in B.C. emergency rooms.

Island Health has reported that there are four public schools in Port Alberni that have had lab-confirmed COVID-19 cases, potentially exposing students and staff to the virus.

At Maquinna Elementary School exposure dates include Nov. 19, 20, 23, 24 and 25, A.W. Neill had an exposure on Nov. 23 and 24, the Eighth Avenue Learning Centre had an exposure on Nov. 24 and 25, while E.J. Dunn reported an exposure on Nov. 24.

Island Health defines exposure as a single person with lab-confirmed COVID-19 who attended school during their infectious period. 

Huu-ay-aht First Nations (HFN) are pressing ahead this fall with construction of Anacla’s first community wastewater treatment system, considered a catalyst for local economic growth.

After decades of discussion, negotiation and planning, the $8-million wastewater project finally gained ground through a unique partnership between HFN, Bamfield Marine Sciences Centre (BMSC) and the research station’s supporting universities.

When Steven and Allison Howard saw a post on social media, a friend wistfully wishing someone would host an online potlatch, the couple never thought in a million years that it would be them to do it.

“We thought it was crazy and we giggled about it,” said Allison.

But after talking it over along with a little pressure from a friend, the couple decided to go ahead with a live-streaming potlatch.

A Huu-ay-aht person has died after contracting COVID-19. Edward Johnson of Huu-ay-aht’s Executive Council confirmed that their member died on Nov. 25 in a hospital located on the Lower Mainland. The member’s name will not be released out of respect for the privacy of the family and at the request of Huu-ay-aht leadership.

Huu-ay-aht Chief Councillor Robert Dennis is asking people to abide by provincial health authority pandemic restrictions, including avoiding all non-essential travel.

COVID-19 spread through the Ehattesaht Chinehkint First Nation reserve this week, resulting in nine active cases as of Nov. 26.

With the small community of Ehatis under a lockdown order, Councillor Ernie Smith gave an online update to members on Thursday afternoon through the First Nation’s Facebook page. He said 11 cases in total had been detected, although two had recovered.

“We are on day seven of COVID reaching into our community of Ehatis,” said Smith. “Please everybody, stay home, we don’t want to spread this virus any further than it already has.”

The owner of a popular sushi restaurant in downtown Victoria invited the family of Herb Dick to his restaurant to ‘break bread’ and receive his apology.

It was an effort to amend the events of Oct. 21, when Herb and his fiancé went to the restaurant for a celebratory dinner. Nubo Kitchen & Bar is one of their favorite sushi restaurants. Dick has said the couple like the upbeat, friendly atmosphere there.

A Port Alberni advocate for the homeless wants to open her property to shelter those who have resorted to living in tents.

Lisa George has been working around the clock with the group of homeless individuals evicted from the Eighth Avenue lot and then the Roger Street Gazebo. She owns the former Redford House care home that will be vacant until April 1, which has the capacity for 24 beds.

A third COVID-19 case has been reported from Tsawaayuus Rainbow Gardens, after a staff member initially tested positive on Nov. 16.

Two days later, a resident in the long-term care home became Rainbow Gardens’ second confirmed case, and on Wednesday (Nov. 25) another person living at the facility was reported to have the coronavirus. According to Island Health, the second case was transported to hospital “as a precautionary measure.” Both residents did not show any symptoms of COVID-19, and there was no transportation announced for the third case.