In the early morning hours of July 11th Tofino residents felt the effects of an earthquake 209 kilometres off their coast. A magnitude 6.4 earthquake with a depth of 10 kilometres was measured and reported by the U.S. Geological Survey at 8:08 a.m., followed by another four quakes, magnitude 4.3, 4.9 4.8, and then the last 4.6 magnitude event at around 8:20am on July 12.

On the weather-battered northwest coast of Nootka Island, rusted remnants of 20th century life can be found in the tall grass. Vegetation grows through the worn-out bottom of a pot, a 1950s-era laundry press is hidden under the flowers, while old brown springs emerge from grass, the abandoned mattress long overtaken by the elements. Walking through the overgrowth, a careful eye can spot depressions in the ground, ghostlike traces of houses that were moved from the village of Nuchatlitz years ago.

In recent years federal and provincial governments have prioritized the need to connect remote communities with internet service, but it became clear while planning this year’s Northern Region Games that the Wi-Fi in Kyuquot needed to be turned off.

“We wanted the kids to be away from technology, away from the internet so they can enjoy the games,” said Anita Buck, a lead organizer for this year’s games, which were hosted by the Ka:'yu:'k't'h'/Che:k'tles7et'h' First Nations July 5-8.

The sun was shining, bringing with it an extraordinary heat, as community gathered in the shade of tents next to Kackaamin’s playground to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Indigenous family treatment centre on July 5. 

As Executive director Lisa Robinson and her team were preparing for the 50th anniversary celebration, she reflected on the elders that have been involved with Kackaamin through the years.

The first heat wave of the summer upon us and Environment Canada is issuing a warning for central and east Vancouver Island.  

Vancouver Island residents can expect to see highs ranging from the low to mid-30s all weekend. Port Alberni is expected to see a high of 34 Celsius over the weekend, Victoria 29, Tofino 26 and Gold River getting up to 30 C.

With these high temperatures the First Nation’s Health Authority is urging people to stay cool.

A founding member of a network serving coastal communities in Clayoquot Sound says that Canadian Indigenous communities are underserved when it comes to government funding for animal welfare programs, and this contributes to the problems seen on many reserves.

In recent weeks a group of whales have been in Pachena Bay, their backs occasionally emerging from the water, spouting bursts of mist into the Pacific air. For those fortunate to witness them from the shore, the whales serve as a reminder of the natural majesty that is integral to the site by the Huu-ay-aht village of Anacla.

“That’s definitely the secret sauce,” said Ben Howells of the whales, who is the founder and head organizer of the upcoming Pachena Bay Music Festival. “The hidden agenda in my heart sometimes is connecting people with land.”

On June 27, at Tin Wis Resort and the former site of the Christie Residential School, Tla-o-qui-aht (ƛaʔuukwiʔatḥ) First Nations signed a hopeful agreement with the Government of Canada.

A new notification system that alerts First Nations in B.C. when oil and other hazardous chemicals are spilled within their territories has just launched and is currently being rolled out province-wide.

The new system ensures that First Nation communities and individuals receive spill alerts quickly, 24/7, and that notifications are directly relevant to their self-identified needs.