This story starts down an abandoned forest service road deep in central Nuu-chah-nulth First Nations territory on Vancouver Island. It was fall, two or three years ago. Tyee Wilson Jack was bucking up a log for firewood when he saw something move on the right side of his periphery.

“Did something just stand up?” thought the Yuułuʔiłʔatḥ (Ucluelet First Nation) Hereditary Chief. “I didn’t want to turn my head, but I moved my eyes. I swore. It’s a frickin’ Pookemis.”

It was only fitting that the former Mayor of Tofino gave her first public speech as B.C.’s Health Minister during a Tofino-Long Beach Chamber of Commerce luncheon on Dec. 17 at the Wickaninnish Inn.

With local physician and Tofino General Hospital chief of staff Dr. Carrie Marshall by her side, Osborne shared how living in a rural community like Tofino in Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation’s traditional territory helped her land what is arguably the most challenging ministry appointment.

Locked security gates are coming to some of Tofino’s docks, according to the harbour authority’s manager, an inconvenient safety measure that has resulted from liability concerns over float homes at the harbour.

The Fourth Street Dock will remain “fully accessible”, according to the District of Tofino, but a different situation is expected at the Crab Dock, where a dispute has been brewing over people living on a floating home.

This year’s round of urban gatherings wrapped up on Dec. 19, with a lively event at Port Alberni’s Italian Hall.

Young and old enjoyed a Christmas feast, followed by the singing of Nuu-chah-nulth songs and dancing. Put on by the Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council, the Port Alberni gathering was the last of six that began in early December, with prior feasts held in Campbell River, Victoria, Vancouver, Nanaimo and Seattle. 

Georgia Gomez is rather pleased she responded to a lunchtime school announcement a few years ago.

The 11-year-old Tseshaht First Nation member heard a meeting was being planned for those interested in joining the wrestling team at her c̓uumaʕas (Tsuma-as) Elementary School.

“It was during school lunch hour,” she said. “And the announcement said if you would like to join wrestling, go to the courtyard. I thought it would be cool to join. The coach just talked about it and then we got our (permission) slips.”

Diesel spilled from a salmon farm near Zeballos has spread as far as the northern edge of Nootka Island, according to the Nuchatlaht First Nation, which is calling on the federal government to expedite the phasing out of net pens on the B.C. coast.

Another season with the men’s national rugby team is now in the books for Phil Mack. 

But the 2024 campaign was different than previous ones for Mack, a member of Toquaht Nation.

That’s because this was the first year that Mack, a former national team player, had served as a coach with the Canadian men’s squad.

As a player Mack had earned 59 caps, representing Canada in international games between 2009 and 2019.

He also appeared in 52 international contests with the Canadian men’s sevens team.

It’s the worst time of the year for a fuel spill on the coast, says a clearly upset elected Ehattesaht chief.

“I am sure I will get angry next, but for right now I am sad that all of this fuel is out there sloshing around our territory, washing up on our beaches,” said Chief Councillor Simon John in an update from the Ehattesaht/Chinehkint First Nation.

B.C. salmon farmer Grieg Seafoods spilled about 7,500 litres of diesel oil into Hecate Channel near Zeballos on Saturday, Dec. 14, after what government officials say was a “human error during fuel transfer” at the Lutes Creek farm site. 

Co-ordinated efforts are currently underway to contain the spill, but it’s been a difficult process due to storm and large tide swings, according to Ehattesaht/Chinehkint First Nations Chief and Council. 

The Chims Motel has received yet another accolade.

The latest recognition comes in the form of being selected as the Alberni Valley Chamber of Commerce’s 2024 Business Investment recipient.

Chims Motel, which launched as an operation in 2016 with one guesthouse, now consists of six modernized cabins.

Tseshaht First Nation member Naomi Nicholson is the general manager of the facility. She owns and operates the motel with her husband Ed.

Chims Motel was honoured during the local chamber of commerce’s Business Excellence Awards ceremony held on Nov. 29.