the Discourse, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
As Klahoose First Nation comes out of lockdown after a quickly-contained COVID-19 scare, community members echo the need for Indigenous-led emergency management.
Continue reading COrtes Island: need for Indigenous-led emergency managementThe Strathcona Regional District (SRD) may be on its way to acquiring a $244,000 grant to reduce wildfire risk in rural areas. Close to $76,000 of this could go to a variety of projects on Cortes Island, more than $52,000 to Quadra and Read Islands and more than $50,000 each to Electoral Area’s A and D. The Electoral Areas Services Committee passed a recommendation that the SRD send application to 2021 Community Resiliency Investment grant program.
Continue reading SRD seeking grant to help reduce wildfire risk in rural areasWelcome to the first of a special series of Folk U Radio done in partnership with Cortes Currents that takes the Folk University model of slow learning, local knowledge sharing, and neighbours sharing with neighbours and combines it with Cortes Currents commitment to covering the news most relevant to our communities at this time.
As smoke fills the air and people told to close the windows after being told to open them to air out viral loads during the pandemic, the question forefront on many minds is “Are we prepared for what’s coming?”
Continue reading Are you prepared? The role of citizens in creating communities resilient to Wildfire and other Hazards EmergenciesThe grocery delivery program’s origins go back to October 2019. A North Rendezvous Island resident, Judith Wright, organized a group run for four or five families every two weeks. After COVID hit, close to half of the permanent residents of the Rendezvous, Read, Maurelle, and Sonora Islands took advantage of the SRD Delivers program to have their groceries delivered every week for three months. While the funding ended in mid July, the Surge Narrows grocery delivery program proved to be so effective that it continues today.
Continue reading Surge Narrows grocery delivery programNational Observer, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Quadra Island resident Judy Hagen is getting kudos from the B.C. government for 30-plus years of dedicated work aimed at keeping her community safe.
The 75-year-old volunteer extraordinaire says the formula for that kind of commitment is quite simple.
“My secret? Well, I think probably the biggest thing is a real genuine like for people,” Hagen said. “And, of course, wanting to help.”
Hagen received the Lifeline Volunteer Achievement Award from B.C.’s Public Safety Minister Mike Farnworth on Wednesday in recognition of her exceptional contributions to emergency and disaster response.
Continue reading Judy Hagen Lifeline Volunteer Achievement Award
