Tag Archives: Wei Wai Kum Nation

Indigenous Nations, Rivers & Oceans

Ancient clam gardens nourish the Mamalilikulla’s past and future

Canada’s National Observer, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Mamalilikulla Chief Winidi, or John Powell, wiggles his pitchfork back and forth to loosen the sand and gravel along a remote stretch of beach in the Broughton Archipelago, sandwiched between Vancouver Island and the BC mainland.

As he churns over layers of sediment, a fistful of clams surface with a couple of disturbingly large, fiery red marine worms that flail hundreds of legs to rapidly burrow back into the sand.

“Look at all those worms. That’s a good sign,” Powell said.  

“You see those a lot when you’re digging. They seem to aerate the soil.” 

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Indigenous Nations, Politics

Conservative candidate Aaron Gunn target of protest rally

Canada’s National Observer, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

First Nation leaders and protesters rallied outside Aaron Gunn’s campaign office in Campbell River Saturday demanding the Conservative Party withdraw his candidacy. 

A crowd of about 150 people waved signs reading “Drop the Gunn” and “We Need Gunn Control,” while First Nations leaders, residential school survivors, educators and community workers voiced their anger over Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre’s decision not to remove Gunn from the party’s slate. 

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Politics

BC Conservatives under fire for letter backing Aaron Gunn

Canada’s National Observer, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Provincial and municipal politicians in the North Island-Powell River riding are joining the fray about whether embattled Conservative candidate Aaron Gunn should stay in the running for the federal seat. 

Last week, First Nations located across the riding took Gunn to task for his long collection of social media posts that argue the treatment of Indigenous people in residential schools does not amount to genocide. 

They demanded federal Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre remove him as a candidate, arguing Gunn has “absolutely no authority” to determine what constitutes genocide when it comes to Indigenous people’s experiences of residential schools. 

Continue reading BC Conservatives under fire for letter backing Aaron Gunn →
Indigenous Nations, Politics

Elected and Former Politicians Calling For Aaron Gunn To Step Down

A growing number of elected and former politicians in the North Island Powell River riding are calling upon the Conservative Party to withdraw their endorsement of Aaron Gunn, and demand he withdraw his candidacy. There were already 19 names in the joint letter when Cortes Currents contacted the two women spearheading this campaign and another 6 were added before this post was finished.

 “This has all happened within the last 48 hours. (Bob Chamberlain) a former Vice President of the Union of BC Indian Chiefs sent out the first call  for Gunn to be removed. After that many other chiefs supported the call for him to step down,” explained Arzeena Hamir,  a former Regional Director of Area B  in the Comox Valley Regional District.

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Indigenous Nations History

Campbell River supports adoption of Liǧʷiłdax̌ʷ Names

The city of Campbell River is supporting a Liǧʷiłdax̌ʷ [pronounced Lee-gweeth-dowkh] Nations request to change the official names of Discovery Passage to “Liǧʷiłdax̌ʷ Passage”, Quinsam River to “Kʷənsəm,” and Tyee Spit to “ʔuxstalis [pronounced Oox-sta-lease].”

It has been three months since the BC Geographical Names Office informed the city of the proposed changes. 

Continue reading Campbell River supports adoption of Liǧʷiłdax̌ʷ Names →