“Your paper needs a name” was spread across the top of the first Ha-Shilth-Sa Newspaper in big bold letters on January 24, 1974. The idea of the newspaper was conceived by the West Coast District Council of Indian Chiefs in the hope of improving communication between the First Nations governments and the council, reads the front-page story, an idea that has now spanned 50 years.

In just over a year, a new 48-unit independent living apartment building located on the Tsawaayuus Rainbow Gardens Campus of Care in Port Alberni has helped low-to-moderate income Indigenous elders and seniors with disabilities overcome housing barriers while building a community.

“There is definitely [a] community developing amongst the residents that… were new to each other when they moved in, and now they're friends,” said Art Van Volsen, building manager of the apartment complex, Huupsitas.

For Noelani Watts of Tseshaht, she watched her first Totem when she was in Grade 6, which inspired her to be involved in the tournament as a cheerleader.

“I just remember watching all the Totem spirit candidates and seeing the cheerleaders and being like, ‘I can't wait to be in high school’,” said Watts. “I wish I could go back to that first time watching Totem again and just get… those butterflies of all the people around you and how exciting it is.”

This year intensive projects are underway off Vancouver Island’s coast to take a closer look at the health of salmon species - including research into the controversial angling practice of catch and release.

Brooklyn Doiron, a Tseshaht and Ahousaht player on Alberni District Secondary’s senior boys basketball team, will be going into his second year playing at Totem, with a lot of hard work and a bigger role to fill.

“I'm excited because I have a way bigger role this year,” said Doiron. “I've gotten a lot better at basketball, [I’ve] been working on my game.”

Last year Doiron supported the team through the tournament as they stole the Totem title, 59-51, against defending champions Carihi.

On Dec. 25 Highway 4 saw its first highly anticipated unexpected closure when rocks and debris fell along Cameron Lake. Less than 24 hours later, the highway reopened allowing community members of Port Alberni and beyond to travel again.

“Even prior to the Cameron Bluffs fire, Highway 4 has always had [a history of] materials [coming] down periodically,” said Janelle Staite, regional deputy director for the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure (MOTI). “It is a very long and steep slope in the area.”

The Nootka Sound Watershed Society (NSWS) has received $1.1 million through the BC Salmon Restoration and Innovation Fund (BCSRIF) to support long-term management and recovery of priority salmon stocks.

The project is a continuation of a previously funded BCSRIF project and includes three main objectives: stream temperature monitoring, riparian silviculture restoration, community engagement and expansion of the Nootka Sound Salmon and Watershed Assessment Tool. The project was developed through collaboration with the Mowachaht/Muchalaht First Nation.

The ADSS senior girls basketball have been playing together in different variations for three years, said their coach Greg Freethy.

The team is stacked with 11 players: two Grade 12s, including the tallest of the group, who get lots of rebounds, said Freethy, adding that there are six Grade 11 players and three Grade 10s.

“It feels really good to be able to look down the bench and know that all those girls can come in and do some really good things,” said Freethy. 

This holiday season, like all years, the Alberni Valley Salvation Army have been working hard to help feed the unhoused community and provide needed necessities.

Pastor Michael Ramsay and his team of staff and volunteers will be providing those in need with a Christmas meal on Dec. 25 at the Bread of Life at noon. In addition, meals will be brought to shelter guests at Our Home on Eighth and to those living in the new tiny homes on Fourth Avenue.