For the 48th time, First Nations elders from across the province have converged in downtown Vancouver for their annual gathering.

This year the B.C. Elders Gathering brought together 1,960 participants -plus their helpers- from over 100 First Nations across British Columbia on Aug. 13 and 14. This is slightly more attendees than last year’s event, which came after a four-year absence due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Nuu-chah-nulth youth played their hearts out during the Aug. 12 Tlu-piich Games 3x3 basketball tournament at Tseshaht’s outdoor, NBA-size court.  

With 15 teams in the U13 division and nine teams in the U17, the summer hoops tourney brought together young players from all over Nuu-chah-nulth territory. Each game was 13 minutes long, split with a minute break. Players earned two points for sinking a three-point shot and one point for regular shots. Any fouls resulted in one point for the opposing team.

It is said that, “when the tide is out, the table is set.” Aquaculture is and has always been a lifeline for First Nations people. Sadly, climate change and environmental factors are threatening their safe, sustainable marine resources.

The 38th Tlu-piich Games took over the track at Bob Dailey Stadium under a clear summer sky on Sunday.

The Nuu-chah-nulth sporting event offered races ranging from 60 to 1,200 metres, engaging youngsters from toddlers up to 17. A few elders and “elders in training” event had some races in the morning, while children also competed in softball throwing on the field.

Next for the games is a day of 3-on-3 basketball games on Monday at the outdoors courts by Maht Mahs and the Gyro Centre in Port Alberni.  

More than a hundred participants came to the opening ceremony for the Tlu-piich games on Saturday, bringing back to life a long-held annual Nuu-chah-nulth event.

On July 26, Rachel Blaney, NDP MP for North Island-Powell River, joined Loaves and Fishes Community Food Bank on their monthly journey to deliver to Kyuquot, Gold River, and Tahsis, pointing to the need for essential food items in remote communities.

For Ka:'yu:'k't'h' / Che:k'tles7et'h' First Nations, their home territories are only accessed by air or water.

July 22nd - 27th eleven eager enrollees were put to the test in Datum Marine’s Captain’s Bootcamp. Hosted by Uu-a-thluk, Datum Marine put the students through their paces in six-days of intense training to become certified small vessel operators.

James Uukwaqum Swan is left scratching his head and out-of-pocket after his water taxi Pegasus experienced a hit-and-run at Tofino’s First Street Dock on July 10.

Pegasus, a 22-foot Hewescraft boat used to shuttle folks to places like Hot Springs Cove in the northwestern part of Clayoquot Sound, was knocked so hard in the bow it suffered a crack about 10-inches wide and a quarter inch thick.

A wildfire burning close to Tseshaht’s main reserve, located between Sproat Lake and Port Alberni, is being held, according to the Aug. 7 update from BC Wildfire Service, while police have announced an arrest in the incident.

The wildfire was reported by BC Wildfires on Tuesday, Aug. 6 at 6:34 p.m. The latest report says the fire size has grown from 0.009 hectares to 0.5 hectares. There are no current evacuation orders in place.

There is an out-of-control wildfire burning close to Tseshaht’s main reserve, located between Sproat Lake and Port Alberni.

The wildfire was reported by BC Wildfires on Tuesday, Aug. 6 at 6:34 p.m. It is 0.009 hectares and there are no current evacuation orders in place.

“The fire began on Crown land and moved into Mosaic private land,” reads an Aug. 6 bulletin posted by Tseshaht First Nation at 8:30 p.m.   

“Please be advised there is NO immediate danger to lives or infrastructure. The fire continues to move away from our reserve,” reads the bulletin.