Youth face barriers to overdose harm reduction, say front-line workers

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.

‘How much coffee is in your sugar?’: Dieticians concerned about content in their specialty drinks

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.

Low snowpack on Vancouver Island elevates drought hazards for this summer

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.

Deadline for clean drinking water class action lawsuit draws near

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. 

Ahousaht actor performs in Indigenous production of Father Tartuffe

An Indigenous focused theatre production coming to Vancouver will feature Nuu-chah-nulth actor Danica Charlie.

Charlie, who lives in Vancouver, is from the Ahoushat First Nation on her dad’s side, and of European descent on her mom’s side.

Charlie said she hasn’t been to Ahousaht since she was a kid and grew up in Victoria.

She’s playing Maryanne in the Arts Club Theatre Company’s production of Father Tartuffe: An Indigenous Misadventure.

Hesquiaht women finish second at All Native Basketball Tournament

The Hesquiaht Descendants ladies team made history at the 64th annual All Native Basketball Tournament in Prince Rupert, B.C. on Feb. 11 to Feb. 18.

Captained by Mariah Charleson, the squad of nine players battled their way to the final game of the tournament, becoming the first-ever Hesquiaht team to make the top two.

Charleson professed a deep “Klecko Klecko” to all the supporters who sent messages and cheered them on throughout the weeklong event.

Clean energy coming to power a growing Uchucklesaht community

Uchucklesaht’s community at Ehthlateese, a village of about 14 family homes, is getting clean, reliable energy in its growing community through funding from the First Nations Clean Energy Business Fund.

According to Nigel Moore, Uchucklesaht’s special projects manager, Ehthlateese has been growing rapidly over the past five years and is expected to grow further as more citizens make the move home to the pristine, waterfront village south of Henderson Lake.

Student displays Aboriginal artwork in Port Alberni’s Gyro Park

The artwork of three Nuu-chah-nulth students now adorns Port Albreni’s Gyro Park after an Alberni District Secondary School art class was assigned to paint garbage bins throughout the community. 

Maddexx George, Summer Little, and Madison Lucas decided the theme of their project would be Indigenous art.

“I chose the c̓ixʷatin, which is the eagle,” said George. “I chose it just [because] it's my favorite animal.”

George explained that in Nuu-chah-nulth culture, c̓ixʷatin (eagles) are spiritual animals.

‘Because she’s Indigenous’: Thousands gather in Downtown Eastside for the missing and murdered 

For over three decades, Valentine’s Day in the Downtown Eastside (DTES) marks the commemoration of Indigenous women and girls who are missing and murdered. But women and girls have continued to go missing and be murdered, leading family members and advocates say not enough is being done to protect Indigenous people.

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