Canada’s National Observer, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
A First Nations leadership alliance is calling for the immediate end to salmon farming using open-net pens in B.C. waters, citing the threat of sea lice to wild fish stocks.
Continue reading Stop Using Open-Net Pens For Salmon FarmingCanada’s National Observer, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Editor’s note: According to the BC Shellfish Growers Association: “the most prolific areas for shellfish farming have been Baynes Sound, Cortes Island and Okeover Inlet.” The Shellfish industry is one of Cortes Island’s largest employers. Twenty-two people were working at Island Seafarms when the COVID crises began and a skeleton crew is preparing for next year. There are also a number of independent contractors in the Bee Islet Growers Corporation, in Gorge Harbour, and other lease holders around the island.
A Vancouver Island researcher is developing an early warning system to prevent the contamination of farmed oysters along B.C.’s west coast, which can cost the industry millions.
Continue reading Early Warning System For farmed OystersCanada’s National Observer, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Perhaps nowhere is the global Pride motto of exist, persist, and resist more apropos than the tiny island of Cortes. Wedged between Vancouver Island and the B.C. mainland, Cortes boasts fewer than 1,000 permanent residents and is two ferry rides away from the nearest semblance of a city. But geography and demographic challenges aside, not even a global pandemic is quashing the island’s Queer community and allies from celebrating Cortes Pride this year.
Continue reading Celebrating Cortes Pride Despite COVIDCanada’s National Observer, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Vancouver Island father Nick Chowdhury is grateful and excited that families who must travel to Campbell River to get essential medical care for their children will soon be welcomed at a home away from home. Q̓ʷalayu House, which will be adjacent to the North Island Hospital, breaks ground Thursday, and will shelter expectant mothers and members of their family from the northern region of Vancouver Island.
Continue reading Q̓ʷalayu House: A Place For Families When Care Is Far From HomeCanada’s National Observer, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
The Klahoose Nation’s traditional winter village lies at the head of Toba Inlet on B.C.’s west coast along the southernmost flank of the Great Bear Rainforest.
Nearby, alongside the Tahumming River, is an old cemetery sparsely covered with wooden or stone markers, mainly active while the Klahoose still lived in the Toba.
But some markers sit at the head of holed out graves, fenced off with care despite being empty.
Continue reading Bringing Klahoose ancestors home
