From the desk of Regional Director Robyn Mawhinney
Hello,
This report is a round-up of info on road concerns & related advocacy, SRD committee news, and a bit about kelp.
Folk U: The Spectacular Nature of Ideology in late 20th and early 21st century culture
Listen in on February 20th, 2026 to this episode of FolkU, which features a recording of Dr. Michael De Danann Datura’s discussion of the spectacular (in the Guy Debord sense of the word) nature of ideology in late 20th and early 21st century culture. This included an exposé of the layered and concealed aspects of commodities via Kinder Surprise eggs; a critique of Hollywood’s authoritarian master fantasies as embodied in Christopher Nolan’s Batman trilogy, and a brief foray into what it might mean to embrace desire without stuff.
Continue reading Folk U: The Spectacular Nature of Ideology in late 20th and early 21st century culture
Communitas: how the Cortes Foundation doubled the money for this year’s Grants in Aid
In this morning’s interview Manda Aufochs Gillespie, Executive Director of the Cortes Island Community Foundation, discusses a fund called Communitas and explains how the Cortes Foundation doubled the money for this year’s Grant in Aid.
Continue reading Communitas: how the Cortes Foundation doubled the money for this year’s Grants in Aid
Cowichan decision is ‘rock solid law’, won’t affect private landowners, UBC expert says
By Alex Walls, UBC News
The recent Cowichan decision was ‘rock solid law’ and concerns about effects on private property are unfounded, according to a new UBC paper.
In this Q&A, author James Hickling, adjunct professor in the Peter A. Allard School of Law, discusses the evidence in the case and identifies ways to move forward that benefit everyone.
Continue reading Cowichan decision is ‘rock solid law’, won’t affect private landowners, UBC expert says
North Vancouver students sleep outside to raise nearly $10K for homeless youth
By Abby Luciano, North Shore News, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
More than two dozen students from Carson Graham Secondary gave up their beds and embraced the cold last Thursday to raise funds for youth experiencing homelessness.
The 25 students, along with four adults, slept outside overnight at the North Vancouver high school, collecting nearly $10,000 to go towards Covenant House Vancouver, a non-profit that helps end youth homelessness.
The students launched a campaign on the Covenant House website, where parents, friends and other supporters could make donations for the cause.
Continue reading North Vancouver students sleep outside to raise nearly $10K for homeless youth