All posts by Rochelle Baker

Rochelle Baker is a staff reporter with Canada’s National Observer, thanks thanks to a grant from the Local Journalism Initiative of the Government of Canada. She previously worked as a newspaper reporter and photographer in BC’s Lower Mainland for over 7 years.
Community

Judy Hagen Lifeline Volunteer Achievement Award

National Observer, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Quadra Island resident Judy Hagen is getting kudos from the B.C. government for 30-plus years of dedicated work aimed at keeping her community safe.

The 75-year-old volunteer extraordinaire says the formula for that kind of commitment is quite simple.

“My secret? Well, I think probably the biggest thing is a real genuine like for people,” Hagen said. “And, of course, wanting to help.”

Hagen received the Lifeline Volunteer Achievement Award from B.C.’s Public Safety Minister Mike Farnworth on Wednesday in recognition of her exceptional contributions to emergency and disaster response.

Continue reading Judy Hagen Lifeline Volunteer Achievement Award →
Health

Death Toll from toxic street drugs Skyrocketing

National Observer, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

B.C.’s death toll from toxic street drugs continues to skyrocket during the pandemic, with 175 people dead from overdoses in July.

Continue reading Death Toll from toxic street drugs Skyrocketing →
Finances, Politics

NDP calls on Feds to provide $2 billion for child care

National Observer, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh wants Ottawa to ante up with an immediate $2-billion cash infusion to provinces to support child care and families during the economic restart. And leveraging NDP support critical to the survival of the Liberals’ minority government to get the substantial investment is a play his party will consider, Singh said.

Continue reading NDP calls on Feds to provide $2 billion for child care →
Education, Indigenous languages

revitalizing Indigenous languages

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National Observer, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

As a child, Ma̱lidi Sydney Roberts was always learning about the Kwakwaka’wakw culture. But she said a piece of her was missing until she got to university and took some Kwak’wala language classes.

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Food Security

Seed Banks Are Rewriting the book on food security

Canada’s National Observer, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Organic farmer Adam Schick holds a single Rembrandt pea aloft in the light of his drying shed to contemplate the magic and generosity of nature.

“There we go. From that we’ll get 50 peas next year. Just from one little tiny seed,” Schick said. “There’s no reason why there should be any insecurity when it comes to food.”

Simply put, access to seeds means access to food, says the market gardener for Linnaea Farm ⁠— a 314-acre organic co-operative land trust dedicated to sustainable agriculture, the environment and education on Cortes Island, B.C.

Continue reading Seed Banks Are Rewriting the book on food security →