All posts by Odette Auger

Odette Auger moved to the traditional territories of the toq qaymɩxʷ (Klahoose) in 1999. She has worked with island youth as facilitator in local programming for 17 years, and works as Program support for Tides Canada Initiatives project Indigeneyez. She started working with Cortes Radio in 2013, fundraising and project management. Writing and producing for Deep Roots gave an outlet for Odette’s storytelling skills, and a lasting love of the listening, story gathering, and collaborative process. She is one of the Cortes Currents producers for the Cortes Radio 2020 Local Journalism Initiative Grant.
Education, Indigenous Nations

Raising a flag to remember: Cortes Island School marks Orange Shirt Day

CKTZ News, through an LJI grant from Canada-info.ca

The sun was shining on Cortes Island school Friday Sept 29, as the Parent Advisory Committee shared orange T-shirts with all the children. With a new principal, the team and students were busy all month preparing to observe the day of memorial by raising a Residential School Survivors’ flag. 

Klahoose Elders visited to share their lived experiences and share song, drumming, and hope. Sisters Rose Hanson and Jessie Louie, joined with singer Brenda Hanson.

Continue reading Raising a flag to remember: Cortes Island School marks Orange Shirt Day →
Indigenous Nations History

Nisg̱a’a joyful as they prepare for return of totem pole

Trends to watch, inspirational

Windspeaker, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

The House of Ni’isjoohl and its community in northern British Columbia are joyfully preparing to welcome home their memorial pole, which has been in the National Museum of Scotland, Edinburgh for 94 years.

In an act expressing its commitment to the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, the National Museum of Scotland announced the return of the pole last December. Although the United Kingdom may think of it as a repatriation of an Indigenous artifact, for the Nisg̱a’a it is a rematriation.

Continue reading Nisg̱a’a joyful as they prepare for return of totem pole →
Arts, Indigenous Nations History

Residential school memorial pole will make stops on Vancouver Island before installation in Vancouver

Windspeaker, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

A blackened column carved with children’s faces, representing lives lost at Indian residential schools, has been created by acclaimed Kwakwuitl carver Stanley Hunt.

The pole will soon travel through Vancouver Island, beginning June 16, making its way to the installation place in Vancouver on Indigenous People’s Day, June 21.

Continue reading Residential school memorial pole will make stops on Vancouver Island before installation in Vancouver →
Health, Politics

Will BC Towns’ Bylaws Undermine Drug Decriminalization Pilot?

 

The Tyee, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

B.C.’s three-year pilot drug decriminalization program is aimed at reducing the barriers and stigma that prevent people from accessing life-saving supports and services. 

But since the possession of  small amounts of drugs was decriminalized on Jan. 31, some  municipalities have looked at bans on public drug use that advocates  warn undermine the provincial effort.

In Campbell River, the city decided to  implement its own bylaws three days before decriminalization took  effect, banning and ticketing public use of controlled substances. 

Continue reading Will BC Towns’ Bylaws Undermine Drug Decriminalization Pilot? →
Health, Indigenous Nations

Indigenous People Bare the Brunt of the Toxic Drug Crisis

 The Tyee, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

The B.C. First Nations Health Authority opened its gathering to present a grim report on toxic drug toxic deaths in 2022 with a song, a prayer of hope and  unity for the families and friends affected by toxic drugs. 

The report found toxic  drugs have been taken a disproportionate toll on First Nations members,  who were almost five times as likely to die of drug poisoning in 2022  than non-Indigenous B.C. residents. Although representing only 3.3 per  cent of the province’s population, Indigenous people represented 16.4  per cent of toxic drug poisoning deaths in 2021.

Continue reading Indigenous People Bare the Brunt of the Toxic Drug Crisis →