By Melissa Renwick, Ha-Shilth-Sa, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
As the heat of the summer extends into October there has been a prolonged forest fire season. As of Oct. 18, the province has 201 active fires with six having started in the previous two days.
Though two of the four fires in the Port Alberni area are no longer burning, four in Strathcona, and four between Gold River and Zeballos remain.
Continue reading Wildfires affect air quality, impacting schools on Vancouver IslandBy Melissa Renwick, Ha-Shilth-Sa, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Ucluelet, BC – Ucluelet Secondary School (USS) began preparing for the Legacy of Hope Exhibit within days of welcoming their students back from summer vacation, ahead of the deadline for National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on September 30th.
Continue reading Trauma and hope: Ucluelet Secondary exhibits poems inspired by residential school survivors
By Melissa Renwick, Ha-Shilth-Sa, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Tofino, BC – In all of Joe Martin’s 68 years of living on the west coast of Vancouver Island, he said he’s only encountered a wolf once.
Alone in the forest just outside of the Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation community of Esowista, Martin recalled when a pack of wolves ran past him over 20 years ago.
Continue reading Respecting order in the animal kingdom by avoiding the top hunterBy Melissa Renwick, Ha-Shilth-Sa, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced the next phase of Canada’s Oceans Protection Plan on July 19. It comes with a commitment to add $2 billion over nine years.
This builds on the $1.5 billion that’s been directed towards the program, which was launched in 2016.
Established to strengthen the protection of Canada’s coasts and wildlife, the Oceans Protection Plan is being labelled as a “Canadian success story” by the prime minister’s office (PMO).
Continue reading Canada invests more in oceans protection, but measures fail to salvage sinking fishing boatBy Melissa Renwick, Ha-Shilth-Sa, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Pope Francis is set to tour three regions in Canada between July 24 and 29 on what is being called a historic journey of “healing and reconciliation.”
Earlier this year at the Vatican, the Pope apologized to Indigenous representatives from across Canada for “the deplorable behaviour” of members of the Catholic Church who caused harm to Indigenous communities through the residential school system.
Continue reading ‘It’s not over by a long stretch’: Residential school survivors await Pope Francis’ visit to Canada this month
