Tag Archives: Alexandra Mehl

Justice

15 First Nations Justice Council centres to open throughout British Columbia

By Alexandra Mehl, Ha-Shilth-Sa, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Since the signing of the BC First Nation Justice Strategy in 2020, a carefully outlined plan with 43 actions to reform the system and restore Indigenous legal traditions, one of the priorities outlined is the implementation of 15 First Nation justice centres throughout the province.

The first four centres in Prince Rupert, Prince George, Merrit, and virtually marked their opening in January 2022.

In late 2022 the BCFNJC announced that the next centres to be opened will be in Nanaimo, Victoria, Vancouver, Surrey, and Kelowna in 2023. 

Continue reading 15 First Nations Justice Council centres to open throughout British Columbia →
Housing

Unhoused displaced from DTES encampment due to City of Vancouver ‘safety concerns’

By Alexandra Mehl, Ha-Shilth-Sa, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

With concerns for ‘fire, life and safety’ the City of Vancouver, with help from the Vancouver Police Department are conducting a sweep in an effort to close an illegal encampment where approximately 80 tent structures stand along Hastings Street in the city’s notorious Downtown Eastside.

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Housing, Indigenous Nations

Homeless allege harassment, while Victoria’s bylaw ensures the ‘safe passage of people’

By Alexandra Mehl, Ha-Shilth-Sa, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Victoria, BC – In the wake of an unsuccessful legal challenge against the City of Victoria’s bylaw department – a case that a tribunal called “extraordinary” for municipal enforcement – members of the city’s unhoused community hosted a rally on March 10 to share the challenges they face.

Niki Ottosen is founder of the Backpack Project in Victoria, an organization that provides supplies like tents, sleeping bags, clothing, and food to Victoria’s homeless. 

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Indigenous Nations History

Naaʔuu, come together and feast, celebrates Tla-o-qui-aht culture with their own narrative

By Alexandra Mehl, Ha-Shilth-Sa, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Tofino, BC – Among round tables, in a traditionally inspired longhouse, Naaʔuu invites community members to gather and celebrate Tla-o-qui-aht culture for an evening. 

On March 16 the evening began with Hjalmer Wenstob, co-host and artistic director for Naaʔuu, along with singers welcoming guests with a paddle song. Soon after, the room filled with sounds of laughter and conversation as plates were brimming with salmon, mussels, and bannock, an abundance of coastal cuisine made by Heartwood Kitchen.

Wenstob said this event was an opportunity to tell Tla-o-qui-aht’s narrative from their own perspective.

Continue reading Naaʔuu, come together and feast, celebrates Tla-o-qui-aht culture with their own narrative →
Indigenous Nations

Nuu-chah-nulth continue to be ‘100 per cent affected’ by MMIWG, says family support worker

By Alexandra Mehl, Ha-Shilth-Sa, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Since 1992, women have been gathering on Valentines Day in the Downtown Eastside for the women’s memorial walk in honor and remembrance of the missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls, and gender diverse peoples (MMIWG2S+).

According to the Native Women’s Association of Canada, British Columbia holds the highest number of MMIWG2S+ cases. Of the 582 missing or murdered cases that the NWAC gathered, 160 were in British Columbia, making up 27 per cent of the organization’s database as of 2010.

Continue reading Nuu-chah-nulth continue to be ‘100 per cent affected’ by MMIWG, says family support worker →