The District of Squamish and Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation) have been undertaking joint initiatives – on flood protection, emergency planning, and forest governance – for decades. On March 18 they went a step further, announcing the launch of the Land Back Task Force to explore how public lands can be returned or co-managed with the Squamish First Nation.
Continue reading The Squamish Land Back Task Force
By Aaron Hemens, IndigiNews, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Cameron sinkʷə Fraser-Monroe wants his dance audiences to reflect on their emotional relationship to smoke and flames — and how emotional avoidance may be hampering our collective response to wildfires.
The Tla’amin choreographer’s upcoming narrative ballet explores the past, present and future of Indigenous fire stewardship.
Cultural or prescribed fires have been used for millennia by many Indigenous Peoples worldwide.
Cikilaxʷm: Controlled Burn is Fraser-Monroe’s first full-length production, and will premiere in kiʔláwnaʔ (Kelowna) on May 1 on syilx homelands.
Continue reading Tla’amin choreographer sets the dance stage ablaze with wildfire-themed ballet
Press release from the Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council
April 14, 2026– Hupacasath and Tseshaht Territories, Port Alberni, BC
The Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council (NTC) is relieved to hear that amendments to DRIPA are paused while the Premier looks for support with chiefs and opposition MLA’s. We know it is not because he is listening to the First Nations who have spoken out against amending DRIPA but rather his need to find enough MLAs to support his amendments. The premier needs to drop this initiative.
NTC says to the Premier, now it is time to work with First Nations and find solutions to what he feels is a huge problem. We would like good faith negotiations in person and no negotiating through the media. Also no short meetings and turn around times to respond to BC’s position. We want co-developed solutions. NTC has always been willing to look at options other than amending DRIPA.
Continue reading DRIPA: Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council Says Its Time to Set the Record Straight!
By Sam Laskaris, Windspeaker, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
A documentary about a First Nation’s request to have the name of Powell River, B.C. changed will have its world debut at Toronto’s Hot Docs Festival this month.
The film, titled təm kʷaθ nan – Namesake, features interviews with members of the Tla’amin Nation, who have spent years attempting to get the name of its neighbouring city altered. According to Tla’amin belief, as stated in the film’s trailer, names carry history, teachings and responsibilities. Powell River gets its name from Israel Wood Powell, who served as B.C.’s superintendent of Indian Affairs for 17 years from 1872 to 1889.
Powell played a key role in the establishment of Indian residential schools. He also had a role in banning the potlach and in the theft of portions of Tla’amin Nation lands.
Continue reading Hots Docs to screen film documenting endeavour to change “horrific” city nameEditor’s note: In 1993, Tzeporah Berman and Kairn Mahon Carrington were leaders of the Clayoquot Protests. They now live on Cortes Island.
By Nora O’Malley, Ha-Shilth-Sa, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Clayoquot Sound, BC – The logging tenure for a landscape made famous by the “War in the Woods” protests on the west coast of Vancouver Island has been divided up into three new Tree Farm Licences (TFL) to assert First Nations’ unique land-use visions.
Continue reading Clayoquot Sound’s only tree farm licence subdivided into three lots to assert First Nations’ land visions
