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, Indigenous Nations

First Nations Fishermen Rescues Kayaker Off Rebecca Spit

National Observer, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Lucas Chickite almost didn’t hear it. The Quadra Island fisherman was standing on the bow of the Armada, a vessel working a scallop farm off the east shore of Rebecca Spit, on Thursday at around 6 p.m., when he heard a faint sound over the noise of the engine and hydraulics. The west wind had come up to 20 knots in the afternoon and the water was showing whitecaps. He strained his ears again and looked around, but didn’t see any other boats. He was about to start working, when he heard it again.

“It definitely sounded like someone cried, Help,’” said Chickite. “I starting scanning the horizon and I saw a white hand flash out of the water.”

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Community

Quadra Island Easter Egg Hunt

National Observer, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

A Quadra Island, B.C., woman has hopped to it and organized a new take on a traditional Easter parade, so local kids can have some fun this weekend, despite the COVID-19 clampdown.

“I was thinking it was so sad kids couldn’t do egg hunts at Easter with their friends,” Brenda Heppner Binnersley said.

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Tourism

Tourism On Life Support

National Observer, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Easter long weekend is usually the unofficial start to tourist season in B.C, but tourism operators are not sure they are going to survive COVID-19.

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Food Security

Quadra Island Farmers Fight Food Insecurity With Their Flock

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National Observer, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Goats are an overlooked tool in the arsenal for rural, isolated communities to improve their resiliency during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a pair of farmers from a remote island in British Columbia.

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Transportation

BC Ferries On The Front Line

National Observer, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Besides being on alert and feverishly working to stem the spread of germs, COVID-19 is cramping BC Ferries worker Helene Lepage’s style.

“I can’t sing at work anymore,” Lepage said with a wistful laugh. “I’m in theatre. And, no kidding, you can throw spit 25 feet away, easily, with a passionate soliloquy.”

The outgoing, gregarious terminal attendant on Quadra Island has had to rein it in during this new era of physical-distancing.

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