Over seven years into British Columbia’s public health emergency, a sobering message on the overdose crisis has come from a nurse who has worked with First Nations for 20 years.
Tanya Dick, a registered nurse with the B.C. Ministry of Health, said that relying on the provincial health care system to treat substance addiction “is like jumping in a boat with holes in the bottom.”
It was a neck-and-neck battle between the Vancouver Outsiders and Alberni Valley (AV) Thunder in the final game for the men’s division of this past weekend’s annual AV Thunder tournament. Both teams battled it out with fierce offense and an even fiercer defense for a captivating and close game where AV Thunder, the host team, ultimately took the win.
The Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation is seeking the public’s support in changing the name of Mackenzie Beach in their homeland of Tofino back to its Indigenous name—Tinwis.
Mackenzie Beach in Tofino is where you’re likely to spot paddle boarders or kayakers rather than surfers because of its calm sheltered waters and gentle waves. The beach is home to several campgrounds and resorts including the Tla-o-qui-aht-owned Best Western Plus Tin Wis Resort.
Tseshaht members Camille Hamel, coach for the Master Batters, and Ryan Clutesi Tebbutt, coach for the Finishers, are bringing their teams to Hawaii in early November to play in a slo pitch tournament at Kapiolani Park.
Both Hamel and Tebbutt found an ad for the slow pitch tournament in Hawaii while on social media and signed up with no hesitation.
“I never thought in the world when I signed up for this Hawaii trip that we'd play another Port team,” said Tebbutt. “[I’m] grateful we all have a chance to go to Hawaii and try to play ball there.”
It’s been two years since the idea of a tiny home village for Port Alberni’s most vulnerable was first floated and now opening day is finally here. Port Alberni Friendship Center Executive Director Cyndi Stevens invited Ha-Shilth-Sa to an open house on Oct. 26 to make the announcement.
In June 2022, Ha-Shilth-Sa reported that the Friendship Center, in collaboration with BC Housing, the City of Port Alberni and a housing task force that includes Tseshaht, Hupacasath, the Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council and other community agencies, would develop Wałyaqił - Tiny Home Village.
A harm reduction outreach program is working to keep people alive in the midst of a spiraling illicit drug epidemic that has devastated man Nuu-chah-nulth families.
At the NTC Disability Access Awareness Committee Health Ability Fair, held Oct. 25-26 at the Alberni Athletic Hall, Gina Amos, a harm reduction outreach worker with the Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council, told the crowd that in the first seven months of 2023, 1,455 people lost their lives to illicit drugs in British Columbia. In the month of July alone, 198 British Columbians died due to drug use.
By the time the summer came to a close Hayleigh Mae Watts of Tseshaht found out that she was awarded Softball B.C.’s Indigenous Minor Athlete of the Year. According to Softball BC, Watts led in the U15 B category to many achievements, and dominated all year as an elite pitcher.
“It was really exciting because I've never had an award like this before,” said Hayleigh. “So it was really nerve racking, and overall, it was just really exciting to be known that I was [Indigenous] Athlete of the Year.”
It’s been 13 years since two veteran Tofino paramedics lost their lives when the ambulance they were in went off the road and plunged more than 100 feet down the cliff into Kennedy Lake. On Oct. 19 dozens of paramedics from Tofino and around the province gathered at the site on the 13th anniversary to dedicate a memorial stone at the site of the accident.
In mid October B.C.’s Ministry of Mental Health and Addictions announced their contribution of $4.39 million to New Roads Therapeutic Recovery Community in Victoria, providing support to an additional 330 more men struggling with repeated incarceration, housing instability and addiction over the next three years.
A major change is coming for B.C.’s system of granting mining rights, but the duty to consult First Nations before a claim is granted will not be in place for another year and a half, with current stakes remaining in place.