Tag Archives: Cortes Island

Education

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. 

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Politics

MP Aaron Gunn to host town halls; Cortes Island possible stop

Our local MP, Aaron Gunn, is holding a series of town hall meetings in the North-Island Powell River riding. He will be in Courtenay tonight (Feb 17), Campbell River on February 21, Port McNeil on March 16 and Powell River on March 19.  Gunn may also come to Cortes Island, but the dates have not been set. 

Potential Town hall in Cortes

Aaron Gunn: “ We want to come to Cortes, but if I just come to Cortes with no plan – I haven’t really accomplished anything other than a photo op. So we always try to set up some kind of coffee or meeting where people that live there know that I’m coming and if they want to come and engage, they have an opportunity to do so.”

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Housing

First Responses: 2026 Cortes Island Housing Survey

The 2026 Cortes Island Housing Survey was launched on Wednesday, February 11. This is a joint endeavour between Regional Director Mark Vonesch and the Cortes Housing Society, who recently provided a look at the first responses.

70 people had filled out the survey when Cortes Currents interviewed Sadhu Johnston, a day after the release.

Sadhu Johnston: “The first Cortes Island Housing Survey was really, really helpful for us in guiding the work of the Cortes Housing Society. We wanted to do another housing survey to gauge where people are at and how they’re feeling about the housing challenges on Cortes. Also, for us, as we’re building out Rainbow Ridge, it helps to get clarity on what people are looking for in terms of their housing needs. We want to make sure we’re building the right size units, the right number of bedrooms, and things of that nature,” he explained.

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Housing, Politics

Area B Director’s Report: A New Cortes Housing Survey

By Regional Director Mark Vonesch

In partnership with the Cortes Housing Society, I am releasing a new Cortes housing survey to gather and summarize our collective housing experiences and opinions.

Hearing from you and understanding the housing needs of Cortes and how it is changing over time is important for the future of our community’s well being.

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Communications, Education, Indigenous Nations

Sovereignty – from Folk U/ Cortes Island Academy

This episode of FolkU features an exploration of sovereignty by CIA student Tristan. What it is to be sovereign in relation to our fellow humans, and in relation to the land? How can we teach ourselves and others how to self-govern? Featuring two interviews, this podcast challenges us to think about our society a little differently, even if it’s just for an hour.

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