It has been 20 years since FirstVoices launched its suite of online tools supporting First Nations in their efforts to revitalize Indigenous languages, and it’s celebrating by presenting a state-of-the-art version of its free platform.

According to First Peoples’ Cultural Council, the FirstVoices website offers a platform where communities can create, edit, host and maintain content on their own interactive “language site,” featuring a suite of online tools such as the interactive dictionary, custom search, games, kids’ area and more.

In mid-February, 4VI launched their second season of Indigenous Voices of Vancouver Island Podcast, featuring input from 12 First Nations throughout Vancouver Island, including stories from throughout Nuu-chah-nulth.

B.C.’s auditor general is pointing to shortcomings in how the province responds to hazardous spills – including cases where local First Nations were not informed of harmful incidents in their territories.

Although high-risk spills were assessed, monitored and referred to the province’s recovery staff, Auditor General Michael Pickup found that, overall, B.C.’s Ministry of Environment and Climate Change “had not effectively managed hazardous spills”.

Gail Gus, a front line worker for Tseshaht First Nation, goes on her route three nights a week handing out naloxone kits and supporting people who use drugs in Port Alberni. Her work as a front line worker extends from crisis into wellness, serving community members beyond Port Alberni and even out of the province. 

“When I first started over three years ago, I just went to two places where I could visually see somebody,” said Gus. “Now I kind of know where our people are and where they hunker down and where their friends are.”

Since the start of the new year dozens of young Ahousaht members have been preparing to showcase their nation’s dances at an upcoming event in Vancouver.

At least 35 students will be making the trek from Ahousaht’s Flores Island village to the Hoobiyee event, which is scheduled for March 1-2 at the PNE grounds in Vancouver. For over a month the young dancers, who range in age from Grade 5 to 12, have been practicing two to three times a week in Ahousaht’s T-Bird Hall and the school gymnasium.

With the toxic drug crisis as the leading cause of death for British Columbians aged 10 though 59, nearly 170 youth, aged 18 and under, have lost their lives since 2017. According to experts, not enough research and monitoring has been done to assess the impacts of the crisis on young people, who also face barriers when accessing harm reduction services.

In the wake of the nine-to-five hustle, juggling the demands of work, school, and family, oftentimes takeout caffeinated drinks save the day. But health professionals share that many pre-sweetened caffeinated drinks have a higher sugar, fat and calorie content than people are aware of.

If you want to save Pacific salmon from extinction, stop logging the forests they rely on for habitat.

An updated snow survey from the River Forecast Centre (RFC) for February shows Vancouver Island’s snowpack has decreased by nine per cent from the previous month.

Sitting at just 30 per cent of normal, Vancouver Island’s storage on snow in the mountains has seen a decrease since last month, similar to six other communities in the province.

Vancouver Island is 45 per cent lower than it was in February 2023, marking the second largest decrease in the province.

Time is running out to apply for a share of the First Nations Drinking Water class action settlement fund. Application forms can be found online and must be submitted before March 7, 2024.

In 2019 the Neskantaga First Nation, Curve Lake First Nation and Tataskweyak Cree Nation started a national class action lawsuit to address drinking water advisories in their communities, drawing in other First Nations across Canada.