With the annual harvest a fraction of what it once was and a declining workforce, British Columbia’s forestry minister admits that the industry is in a state of transition – but needed changes won’t happen without participation of First Nations.
A diesel spill in an inlet near Tahsis last December is slowly clearing up - but not before closing down commercial clam harvesting just ahead of the holiday season.
According to a notice from Ehattesaht First Nation, Zeballos Inlet was closed to clam harvesting a day after the Dec. 14 diesel spill. On Dec. 20, Fisheries and Oceans Canada also issued an emergency closure of shellfish harvesting in Esperanza Inlet due to the spill.
Navigating a sea of red Totem 69 fans, an unassuming Tom Watts slipped into the Alberni District Secondary School (ADSS) gymnasium and posted up in the ‘Lifetime members’ seating area to watch the finals of B.C.’s longest running high school basketball tournament.
The whiff of fresh popcorn and Taylor Swift’s ‘I Knew You Were Trouble’ filled the air as the Alberni Storm senior girls team ran onto the court, sinking warm-up shots before a closely fought championship game against Pacific Christian School.
A change in Ottawa appears likely this year, leaving some to wonder what place reconciliation will have in Canada’s next government.
With a federal election expected this spring, the Conservative Party of Canada is riding high in the polls, making Pierre Poilievre the most likely candidate to become Prime Minister. Under the leadership of Justin Trudeau, for the last decade the Liberals have tripled spending on Indigenous services compared to 2015 dollars, but the Conservatives have made so such commitment.
A Friday night soak in an outdoor hot tub sent chills through the spines of a father and daughter as they spotted a cougar peering at them through the bush about a foot away.
Natalee Dennis was visiting her parents at their Tofino home on Friday, January 10th. It was about eight or 9 p.m. when Natalee joined her father Stephen in the hot tub.
“Dad had already been in there for awhile,” she said.
But when Natalee got in the water with her dad, they noticed their pet cat was acting strange.
The Sooke Edward Milne Wolverines senior boys basketball team stung Victoria’s Stelly’s on Saturday, Jan. 11 at the Alberni District Secondary School (ADSS) gymnasium with an outstanding 63-62 comeback win, soaring to Totem 69 glory and a championship banner.
Coached by Trevor Bligh, the Wolverines are currently ranked first in the Vancouver Island Triple-A south division.
Grieving the recent loss of his close friend Richard Lucas Jr., elected Tseshaht First Nations Chief Councillor Wahmeesh (Ken Watts) speaks with a heavy heart.
He reflected on Justin Trudeau’s reign as the 23rd prime minister of Canada with compassion.
“The world of politics has changed a lot,” said Wahmeesh, whose late father Wameesh (George Watts) had a prolific career in First Nations politics.
Totem 69 opened with wins from Alberni’s boys and girls’ teams, as the basketball squads look to perform strongly before their lively hometown crowd over the three-day tournament.
In B.C.’s longest-running high school tournament, Alberni District Secondary’s senior girls team dominated Dover Bay in their opening game with a 71-20 win on Thursday, Jan. 9. Alberni’s Sarah Warman was named player of the game for ADSS, while Julienne Ayson was recognized for Dover Bay.
It’s called ʔuukʷinkpanač and it means ‘walking in togetherness’.
Launched by the Vancouver Island West Coast Primary Care Initiative Health Care Society, ʔuukʷinkpanač promises to deliver services that include traditional healing and wellness options for the First Nations peoples of the Clayoquot Sound region.
Josie Osborne, B.C.’s newly appointed minister of Health, was in Port Alberni Dec. 19 to make an announcement about the newly expanded Travel Assistance Program (TAP), which helps residents in remote communities travelling for non-emergency medical specialist appointments.
Changes to improve the TAP include free ferry service for residents of rural, remote and First Nations communities travelling for non-emergency appointments.