To commemorate those who have died from COVID-19, the Government of Canada designated March 11 as a National Day of Observance. The day marked the one-year anniversary of the World Health Organization declaring the virus a global pandemic.

For brothers, Hjalmer Wenstob and Timmy Masso, it also memorialized those who have died in the past year from other issues, like addiction and mental health. 

As the world’s eye has been turned on COVID-19, many of those lost lives have been overlooked or forgotten. 

Leaders from Tseshaht First Nation arrived at Port Alberni City Hall March 18, 2021, to deliver gifts of reconciliation that showcase Tseshaht language and art.

Tseshaht First Nation commissioned traffic signs that feature the word STOP in both English and Tseshaht languages. The signs feature a watermark whale tail design on a standard sized traffic stop sign.

A trial date has finally been set more than four years after Nuchatlaht First Nation (NFN) filed a statement of claim in the BC Supreme Court seeking Aboriginal title over approximately 20,000 hectares of land north of and including northern Nootka Island and the Nuchatlitz village site.

The Nuchatlaht, whose Ocluje village sits at the head of Espinosa Inlet just a few kilometers northwest of Zeballos, has maintained its hereditary governance system. They are governed by their head hereditary chief or Tyee Ha’wilth as opposed to an elected chief councilor.

The Port Alberni Friendship Center is open today for Indigenous elders age 65 and older wishing to receive the COVID-19 vaccination. Seniors from the general population, age 80+ are welcome to come to the PAFC for vaccination today. The PAFC Clinic runs Monday March 15 to Thursday march 18, 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Since 2005, Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation (TFN) has thought about opening a new RV park and campground in Tofino. 

After over a decade of planning, development for the Tsawaak RV Resort and Campground is set to begin at the end of March, 2021.

Located on Tin Wis Reserve 11, management for the campground will be in partnership with Best Western Plus Tin Wis Resort. 

There will be a total of 35 RV sites, 13 mini-cabins and 14 sites for tent camping. 

The Tla-o-qui-aht “admonishes” police action while responding to an emergency call in Opitsaht that resulted in one of the First Nation’s members being shot dead on Feb. 27.

“It is incomprehensible to see such unnecessary loss of life at the hands of the RCMP,” wrote Chief Councillor Moses Martin in a statement. “It is obvious that the RCMP need more social service resources and community-based responders, to assist them when interacting with those members of the society that have mental health issues, or whom are currently going through other trauma.”

Help is on the way.

But it remains to be seen just how quickly that assistance will arrive and when the Tofino Bus, Vancouver Island’s only intercity bus service, will resume operations.

At a news conference on Tuesday, Premier John Horgan announced motor coach operators in the province, who have suffered tremendous revenue losses due to a massive drop in ridership in the past year because of the COVID-19 pandemic, would collectively be receiving $10.7 million from the B.C. government.

Ditidaht First Nation has started a community clean-up that will bring together DFN staff, volunteers and school children.

DFN Administrator Eva Wilson told Ha-Shilth-Sa that the project began Mar. 1, 2021 with DFN departments contributing resources for the clean-up.

Joe David has been studying Nuu-chah-nulth art professionally for over 50 years. It’s a craft he has dedicated his life to and yet, the master artist still struggles to describe the region’s visual signatures. 

“It’s not something that I have found easy to explain in words,” he said.

Communities, park staff and first responders are braced for another wave of rampant illegal camping on the west coast this season along with cantankerous campers, environmental damage, garbage and what some feel are dangerous callouts.

ACRD directors, concerned about a repeat of last year’s pandemic-related onslaught, voted unanimously March 3 to set up a strategic working group to deal with the widespread issue.