Throughout British Columbia’s coastline stretches vast forests of kelp, dense underwater vegetation that’s home to a diversity of species. Growing year-round under the ocean’s surface, this seaweed produces oxygen, stores carbon and helps to mitigate the effects of global warming.

BC Wildfire Service may have flip-flopped on a May 7 campfire ban in the Coastal Fire Centre, but Tseshaht First Nation in Port Alberni is holding the proverbial burn line.

The nation is prohibiting all fires on reserve lands and the Broken Group Islands until further notice. Their decision is supported by Hupačasath First Nation and the City of Port Alberni, who are also maintaining a complete fire ban.

An annual tradition amongst Vancouver Island’s northwest school district continued this month with a spring potlatch at Gold River Secondary.

On May 12 the high school’s gymnasium was packed for a day of cultural performances in the territory of the Mowachaht/Muchalaht First Nation. Among those in the select seats by the dance floor was Mowachaht/Muchalaht Tyee Ha’wilth Mike Maquinna, who observed a generation shift in how School District 84 has come to embrace the Indigenous heritage of the region - something he didn’t encounter during his youth.

Clutesi Haven Marina is on its way to becoming a community hub and visitor attraction through a new vendor marketplace and other enhancement projects. 

“Clutesi Haven Marina provides publicly accessible, city-owned waterfront space for residents and visitors to enjoy,” said Dave Osborne, business development & property advisor with the City of Port Alberni. “Its location along the highway makes it a key gateway where travellers can stop, experience Port Alberni and support local businesses at the marina marketplace.”

As Vancouver Island black bears emerge from hibernation, Ucluelet residents and businesses are also waking up to the reality that fines are coming for not being bear aware when it comes to garbage disposal. 

Violation of a Wildlife Attractant Bylaw - which was adopted on March 17, 2026 - is punishable by a fine of up to $50,000.

Violations include putting cooking fat/grease directly in refuse containers instead of a “metal grease collection bin with a secured metal lid”, leaving bins outside overnight and using damaged bins. 

Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation members have opted to hold a steady course over the next four years. 

Elmer Frank was re-elected chief councillor with 164 votes, defeating candidates Joseph David who had 93 votes and Saya Masso who had 48 votes.

A total of 307 ballots were cast on the May 12 Tla-o-qui-aht election, the highest-ever voter turnout in history, according to Frank.

The Uchucklesaht Tribe Government (UTG) will receive provincial funding towards retrofitting the Nucii Gymnasium in Port Alberni into a community cooling centre and emergency support space. 

Through the province’s Disaster Resilience and Innovation Funding (DRIF) program, UTG will receive up to $665,502 in phased reimbursements tied to project completion milestones, with any remaining costs to be paid for by the First Nation.