Tag Archives: Klahoose First Nation

Community, Environment, Forests

Bruce Ellingsen: 2022 recipient of the Jo Ann Green Award

Leave a comment

Every year, the Friends of Cortes Island (FOCI) give the Jo Ann Green Award to a Cortes Islander who has made a significant contribution to the environmental wellbeing of the community. Bruce Ellingsen is this year’s recipient.

“Jo Ann Green was an exemplary environmentalist who came to Cortes in 1969, and she immediately became involved in social environmental activities on the island,” explained Helen Hall, Executive Director of FOCI. 

Continue reading Bruce Ellingsen: 2022 recipient of the Jo Ann Green Award →
Education

Klahoose education coordinator brings a special something to the classroom

Leave a comment

Windspeaker, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

There is a glow to Julie Hanuse, education coordinator for Klahoose First Nation in the Salish Sea, located between Vancouver Island and the mainland. She has a warmth and strength that has kept her going in her role for 31 years.

Continue reading Klahoose education coordinator brings a special something to the classroom →
Disaster, Indigenous Nations

Apartment Fire at Klahoose Health Centre

Leave a comment

By Steve Brown, Chief, Klahoose First Nation

At approximately 9:00 PM on Wednesday, November 23, a fire broke out in our community which destroyed at least three units behind the Health Centre. A neighbour heard the fire alarm, called 9-1-1, and the Cortes Fire Department arrived shortly after. Thankfully, everyone involved escaped safely and is okay. The fire was extinguished, and staff are currently assessing damage, working to repair what can be fixed, and supporting members in need.

Continue reading Apartment Fire at Klahoose Health Centre →
Disaster

How the Cortes Fire Department responded to the fire

Leave a comment

(Editor’s note: The article about the Nov 23, 2022 fire that follows is an edited transcript of an audio file. Also, a GoFundMe page has been started to support Sandy Emmonds, who lost her home and all her belongings in the fire: https://gofund.me/86053866)

By Mark Vonesch

Mark Vonesch: I’m here with Eli McKenney, the Interim Fire Chief from Cortes Island. Eli, wow, what a night last night …

Eli McKenty: Yeah. It was a short night as far as sleep goes, and a long night in every other way.

Mark: Can you tell us what happened? Tell us the details.

Continue reading How the Cortes Fire Department responded to the fire →
Disaster

Interview with Cortes Island’s new Interim Fire Chief

Leave a comment

(Transcript of the radio program, with edits)

Eli McKenty had been Cortes Island’s Interim Fire Chief for 15 days when I interviewed him. He was actually the Department’s preferred choice as Fire Chief five months ago, but turned the job down, so they hired someone from Alberta. After five months of a six month trial period, the Cortes Island Fire Department came to the conclusion that ‘aspects of Dave Ives’ leadership style were at odds with the culture of our fire department’ and he was dismissed. McKenty agreed to be the Fire Chief until they can find a replacement. 

Continue reading Interview with Cortes Island’s new Interim Fire Chief →