Shaunee Casavant is scaling back her commitments in the health industry.
But the Hupacasath First Nation member was more than willing to accept an offer to serve a two-year term with the Island Health board of directors.
Casavant, who turned 65 this past week, considers the position her most prestigious one to date.
“It’s acting at the most senior level of health on the island,” she said.
Hilda Hanson, Nuu-chah-nulth’s eldest elder and most treasured Kyuquot grandmother passed away peacefully at her home in Houpsitas on Thursday, September 10th. According to daughter Therese, Hilda was ’98 and three quarters.
“I don’t think mom wanted to make it to 100, but she would sometimes tell people she was more than 100,” Therese said with a chuckle.
Hilda was born Dec. 5, 1921 to Constant Harry (Nuukmiss) of Kyuquot and Frances Martin (Kwaakwatyiik) of Nuchahtlaht.
Back in 1962, Herbert Jack began his career as a logger. His days consisted of attaching a cable to a felled tree before choking the log so it could be removed from the forest. The arduous work earned him $2 per hour.
Up to the 1990s, the logging industry on Vancouver Island thrived. Thousands of men just like Jack spent their lives tearing down trees for a living.
Back then, the 73-year-old recalls the majority of the trees were so wide a grown man couldn't wrap his arms around their trunks.
The B.C. government is taking their first step to protecting old-growth forests by calling for an immediate deferral of logging in nine old-growth regions across the province.
These actions were taken following an independent panel report titled, A New Future for Old Forests, which is meant to steer an overhaul of forestry regulations.
Developed by government-appointed panel members Garry Merkel and Al Gorley, 14 recommendations were submitted to the province.
As the number of B.C.’s coronavirus infections continue to rise, First Nations are left with no idea of how close these cases are to their communities, a vulnerability that a coalition of Indigenous governments is taking to B.C.’s Information and Privacy Commissioner.
For years, a large piece of winding driftwood has been stationed on Chesterman Beach. It has become an iconic meeting place for residents, who can tell you exactly where it stands. Carved into it are the words “we are all one.” It has withstood countless wicked winter storms, but has been forever marked by a beach fire gone rogue this summer.
A black circle is now etched into the wood’s surface and its destruction serves as a daily reminder of the costs of Tofino’s tourism economy.
When classes resumed in Ucluelet for the first time in six months last week students had to adjust not only to rigorous new health and safety rules but to a campus transforming under their feet.
Long awaited seismic upgrades and renovations to Ucluelet secondary and adjoining Ucluelet elementary had not begun when COVID-19 forced the abrupt shutdown of school operations across the country in March. Demolition and construction work started in May, subject to strict pandemic work practices, progressing toward a spring 2022 completion.
As schools across the province of B.C. prepared to welcome students back for the new school year, administration staff scrambled to normalize their new social reality.
In the wake of COVID-19, schools in B.C. are required to divide their students into learning groups of 60 people, including staff. Children will be segregated from their friends, unable to interact with students from another cohort.
But in the small, coastal town of Kyuquot, this year will largely resemble years past.
During each of Elizabeth Jack’s pregnancies, her husband talked to his unborn daughters from inside her womb.
Whether the couple was out hunting or fishing, Matthew would speak to his wife’s stomach as if it could talk back.
It wasn’t anything poetic. He approached those conversations practically, explaining where they were, what they were fishing for and which lure he was using.
Now, when you ask his eldest daughter, Norah, how long she has been hunting for, the 11-year-old proudly replies, “ever since I was in my mom’s belly.”
After countless motor vehicle accidents and many lives lost, the 90 kilometre logging road that leads to Bamfield will finally be paved.
The announcement came Sept. 11, 2020 in a teleconference with Scott Fraser, Minister of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation, Huu-ay-aht Tyee Ha’wilth Derek Peters and Huu-ay-aht Elected Chief Robert Dennis Sr.
Fraser stated in his comments that that the announcement comes after years of pressure from the people of Huu-ay-aht, Bamfield and other interest groups who came together to move the project forward.