The First Peoples’ Cultural Council (FPCC) has released two landmark reports detailing the deep impacts of colonial theft and the path toward meaningful repatriation for First Nations in British Columbia. 

The reports, From Stealing to Healing: Repatriation and B.C. First Nations and the Repatriation Cost Analysis: A Framework and Model, offer a sweeping account of the more than 2,500 ancestors and 100,000 cultural belongings from B.C. currently held in 229 institutions around the globe, and the long journey to bring them home.

Amid cries that a new government in Ottawa is steamrolling over Indigenous rights to get national projects built, today the Assembly of First Nations hosted a forum on what to do about Bill C-5.

July has arrived on Vancouver Island’s West Coast and so has the onslaught of ignorant campers – plus the garbage they leave behind.

To encourage respectful camping practices, Parks Canada and local authorities are conducting regular patrols, targeting illegal camping within the areas of the Clayoquot Arm, along the Kennedy Lake Watershed, within Tla-o-qui-aht, Yuułuʔiłʔath, and Toquaht traditional territories, on municipal streets and lots, and within BC Parks and Pacific Rim National Park Reserve.

Legislation that determines how British Columbia’s heritage sites are protected is being updated, with an eye on how the new act will align with UNDRIP.

The Heritage Conservation Act applies to over 64,000 protected sites on the provincial registry – 90 per cent of which are of First Nations origin. The act regulates how these sites are protected when work is done at the locations, but as it was last revised in 1996, the current legislation is admittedly lacking, says Minister of Forests Ravi Parmar. 

Canada’s iconic West Coast Trail (WCT) on Vancouver Island just got even better with the grand opening of a new visitor centre at the Nitinaht Lake Campground.

Brought to life by the Ditidaht Economic Development Corporation (DEDC), the new building features an outdoor theatre area and indoor meeting space and will serve as a check-in centre/information hub for WCT hikers, Nitinaht Lake campers and folks staying at the Caycuse Cabins.

Port Renfrew, BC - What began as a homicide investigation on the Pacheedaht reserve has concluded to determine that the cause of a recent death is “non-criminal in nature,” according to police.

Shortly after 9 p.m. on June 23 the Sooke RCMP were called to the community by Port Renfrew, in response to a report of a man with blood on him near Pachidah Road.

News that she would be receiving some substantial funding came at a rather opportune time for Shalaya Valenzuela.

Valenzuela, a Tseshaht First Nation member, is one of five individuals this year who have been selected to receive the Team Canada Indigenous Award, through the Canadian Olympic Foundation.

Each recipient will receive $20,000 to help cover some of their expenses during the next two years.

Valenzuela was a member of the Canadian women’s rugby sevens club that captured the silver medal at last year’s Paris Olympics.

Ditidaht families wandered down to the community field on a balmy July 3 to take part in a sports day and a barbecue lunch.

Gathering on the freshly cut grass, about 30 kids spent the better part of the summer day running free and playing fun games like egg toss, tug-o-war, three-legged-race and a classic water balloon fight.

Destiny Kitlamuxin admits she had some initial reservations about competing in an upcoming event.

But now Kitlamuxin, a member of Ahousaht First Nation, is rather keen that she’s been chosen to take part in the Miss Indigenous Canada pageant.

The competition, which runs July 23-27, will be held in Six Nations of the Grand River in Ontario. Six Nations, located about 100 kilometres from Toronto, is the most populated First Nation in Canada.

This marks the second year that Miss Indigenous Canada will be staged. The inaugural event was also in Six Nations.