Changes to federal funding distribution for language revitalization programs has raised concern for the survival of programming at the Victoria Native Friendship Centre (VNFC).

The VNFC offers language classes to meet the needs of its diverse Indigenous community, including Nuučaan̓uɫ, Nihiyaw (Cree - Y dialect and TH dialect), Nedut’en Carrier, Dene, Dakota, and Anishinaabe.

An ongoing study is looking back on how COVID-19 affected Nuu-chah-nulth people, with attention to the effectiveness of the vaccine, people’s immune response and how communities were impacted by the pandemic. 

January 31 marked the one-year anniversary for B.C.’s three-year decriminalization pilot project, where people using up to 2.5 grams of certain illicit drugs would not face seizures, charges, or arrests. But as 2023 saw a five per cent increase in death rates, experts are pushing for expanding the prescribed safer supply to help users on their recovery journey.

Vancouver Island Pro Wrestling is bringing a steel cage match to Maht Mahs Gym in Port Alberni on Feb. 16.

A steel cage match takes place in a caged enclosure that surrounds the ring. Competitors can win by pinfall, submission or escaping the cage. Competing at the Port Alberni match will be pro wrestlers The Architects of Anarchy and the Legendary Moondog Manson vs. wrestlers from The Moment of Truth.

On Jan. 31, Maht Mah’s filled with Alberni Valley organizations and community members for the unveiling of a four-pillar strategy to combat the toxic drug crisis in the region.

At the gathering the Tseshaht First Nation, in partnership with Port Alberni’s Community Action Team and Kuu-us Crisis Line Society, proposed their plan, which includes advocating for a fully funded, inclusive detox and recovery facility.

A new play is shining light on the little-known history of Nanaimo Indian Hospital, with attention to the abuse and experiments conducted on its Indigenous patients, some of whom were small children.

Scenes from the Nanaimo Indian Hospital was written by Dr. Laura Cranmer of Namgis and Haida descent. A residential school survivor, the play is based on her three-year stay at Nanaimo Indian Hospital as a young child.

Phil Mack is the new attack coach for the Canadian rugby 15s senior men’s team.

The Toquaht Nation citizen and champion rugby player says his aim is to lift the team back into the Rugby World Cup (RWC). Last year was the first time in the 37-year history of the quadrennial tournament that Team Canada did not qualify.

“It’s the crown jewel. When I was playing, we were ranked anywhere from 12 to 16 (in the world). Currently, we are at 21,” said Mack.

A popular series of hiking trails just east of Port Alberni will remain closed until later in February, as Mosaic undergoes logging in the area.

“Harvesting is active in the Stokes Falls area, with operations occurring Monday to Friday, weather dependent,” stated Mosaic Forest Management in an email to Ha-Shilth-Sa. “The harvest area is less than five hectares and includes five harvest units.”

Days of heavy rain have swollen the Somass River to a concerning level, prompting the Tseshaht to activate an emergency response on Tuesday to protect homes at risk of being flooded.

The relentless precipitation started Friday, Jan. 26, and the downpour continued through the weekend, hitting Vancouver Island particularly hard on Monday evening, Jan. 29 with strong wind. The risk of flooding rivers was elevated due to temperatures that were five to 10 degrees Celsius above seasonal levels, causing the island’s snowpack to melt.