A new discovery centre is in the works for Uptown Port Alberni.

Wild Tide PA will bring both a community gathering space and an interactive discovery centre to the Alberni Valley. Founder Greg Banman said his team has just secured a space and renovations will begin soon. 

“We’ve just entered into an intent to rent on 14,000 square feet,” Banman said. “It’s the basement of the Beaufort. There’s a huge project going right now with the investors to renovate that space.”

Chief Councillor Wilfred Cootes spent a few days in the ‘Big Apple’ (New York City) to talk about health with other Indigenous leaders from around the world. 

Held in late April, the event was the annual United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII). The Uchucklesaht elected chief spoke about enhancing Indigenous inclusion within the “mechanisms of the UN”.

A new style of health care delivery aimed at Indigenous people is taking off on Vancouver Island with the development of Indigenous health care clinics.

There are a growing number of Indigenous Community Health Centres that are open or in development on Vancouver Island.

The University of Victoria will receive funding to advance ocean research of black holes, deep sea life, and oncoming earthquakes off the west coast of Vancouver Island.

The federal government’s Canada Foundation for Innovation announced in March $1.65 million in funding to upgrade a multi-disciplinary ocean observatory, the NEPTUNE (North-East Pacific Time-series Undersea Networked Experiments) research facility in Barkley Sound.

Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation members head to the polls on May 12 to elect one chief and 11 councillors.

Three candidates put their name forward for elected chief: Joseph Stephen David, Elmer Frank and Saya Masso.

In total, there are 34 candidates running for council positions.

“We’re trying to get out of what we are under right now which is the Indian Act,” said David, 69, who is known by most in the community as JD.