All posts by Manda Aufochs Gillespie

Manda Aufochs Gillespie is a writer. She’s the author of the Green Mama series of books (https://thegreenmama.com/books/) and the publisher of the award-winning website thegreenmama.com. She is also a mother, neighbour, and founder of Folk University (folku.ca) on Cortes Island.

Folk U: Are You Prepared? Part 1 w/Shaun Koopman @89.5FM

Are You Prepared? In this part 1 of a 2 part series (2art 2 is a LIVE, In person event on April 22 at 1 p.m.), Shaun Koopman from the Strathcona Regional District will join host Manda Aufochs Gillespie to discuss what it looks like for Cortes Islanders (and others) to be prepared for a number of emergencies including fire, earthquake, multi-month power outages, and more.

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Understanding your BC Assessment on FolkU Radio @89.5FM

Wondering what the deal is with this year’s BC Assessments… what does it mean to get a high assessment? How does it relate to the taxes you pay? Why can one community have so much variation? When and how can you contest your assessment. Bill Dawson of BC Assessment joins host Manda Aufochs Gillespie to answer all these questions and more live this Friday at 1 p.m. on 89.5FM or livestream from cortesradio.ca.

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Folk U: Cortes Waste & Recycling Demystified

Originally published on Cortes Radio.ca

There was music. Miyako Reid talked about her garden, chickens and other aspects of her life on Cortes. The feature presentation on the June 26th Folk U Friday was ‘Cortes Waste & Recycling Demystified.’

As people get more waste conscience, the people on Cortes Island can be proud to know that they have one of the most successful waste diversion programs in the region. And BC has created successful programs to deal with their waste, so that there are still markets for the recycling in BC despite unstable global systems.

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Folk U Radio: The Cortes Academy brings High School Programming to the island

Could it be true? What does it mean? How can my kids or I participate/help/get involved? Jeff Lontayao, District Coordinator of Student Options and Opportunities, Rhonda Teramura, Homestay Coordinator, join host Manda Aufochs Gillespie to discuss the Cortes Island Academy and what this innovative high school program means for the Cortes Island community.

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High School Programming on Cortes?!*$ It’s true….

The Cortes Island Academy (CIA) is a pilot program of School District 72 in collaboration with Cortes Island Community Foundation, Folk University, and the people of Cortes Island. The CIA pilot program will begin with the school year in September of 2022 and end with the term in late January of 2023. The CIA will offer two quarters (10 weeks each) of immersive, experiential, project-based learning on Cortes Island in its first year, with the intention of continuing with unique annual offerings. These offerings will be overseen by SD72 teachers and staff with local facilitators, mentors, and knowledge holders to ensure that the program truly represents the unique talents, opportunities, and natural offerings of Cortes Island. Students from throughout the school district, including international education students registered with SD72, will be available to register for either one of the 10-weeks or the entire 20-weeks of offerings. (Priority given to Cortes Island students.)

Continue reading High School Programming on Cortes?!*$ It’s true….