Category Archives: Indigenous Nations

Indigenous Nations History

Centuries-old Pentlatch fish trap panel connects K’ómoks, Qualicum people to their ancestors

Editor’s note: Fish traps like this would also have been used by other Ayajuthem speaking peoples (The Klahoose, Homalco and First Nations) who have a shared ancestry with the K’ómoks First Nation. These are the most northern Coast Salish Nations.

By Madeline Dunnett, The Discourse,  Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

As a child, Pamela Mitchell recalls her father telling her about the ancient fish traps on the shoreline of K’ómoks territory, near her home.

As she learned about the traps, which were used over generations by her ancestors, and their corresponding posts sticking out of the water, she recalls her dad telling her, “don’t touch! They are very old!”

Continue reading Centuries-old Pentlatch fish trap panel connects K’ómoks, Qualicum people to their ancestors →
History, Indigenous Nations History

Gumbooting Through The History Of Mansons Lagoon

Once or twice a year, visitors are given an opportunity to ‘gumboot’ into the natural and human history of Mansons Lagoon. This is a joint event put on by the Cortes Island Museum and Friends of Cortes Island (FOCI). Jane Newman provides the glimpse into the lagoon’s past. In the following article, Cortes Currents supplemented her account with materials from the Museum and additional genealogical records found on the web. 

Jane’s account started with a description of Mansons Spit during the precolonial era. 

Continue reading Gumbooting Through The History Of Mansons Lagoon →
Community, Indigenous Nations

Microgrants for Neighbours funds 14 projects including multiple Indigenous related initiatives

By Louis Belcourt, CKTZ News, through an LJI grant from Canada-info.ca

The Cortes Island Community Foundation announced its funded projects for the 2024 Microgrants for Neighbors Program.

There were thirty-two applications, which was more than last year, and fourteen projects were funded that used up their entire budget of around six thousand dollars, says Isabelle Mcknight, Executive Administrator at the Foundation.

Continue reading Microgrants for Neighbours funds 14 projects including multiple Indigenous related initiatives →
Forests, History, Indigenous Nations History

Comox Valley Land Trust seeks to raise $2.4M to protect trees in Puntledge Forest

By Madeline Dunnett, The Discourse,  Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

On a crisp morning in early October 2023, Tim Ennis, executive director of Comox Valley Land Trust (CVLT) trekked through the trails of Nymph Falls Nature Park and explained that CVLT was working on a complex purchase of forest on a chunk of BC Hydro land in Nymph Falls, and a possible other section in the Puntledge River Recreation Trails area. 

“The property that we’re walking onto here is owned by BC Hydro … and the timber on the property — the trees — they’re owned separately,” he said.

The lands themselves are part of the traditional unceded territory of the K’ómoks First Nation, who are descendants of the Sathloot, Sasitla, Ieeksen, Xa’xe and Pentlatch. Many surrounding areas get their namesake from the Éy7á7juuthem, Kwak̓wala, and Pəntl’áč languages — including the Puntledge River itself, which stems from the word Pəntl’áč (Pentlatch). 

Continue reading Comox Valley Land Trust seeks to raise $2.4M to protect trees in Puntledge Forest →
Health, Indigenous Nations History

Dedication of the Tsakwa’luten Healing Centre

It began with sacred songs, drumming and dancers.  Executive Director Kristie Lamirande would later tell Cortes Currents that while many healing centres have Indigenous spiritual components, as far as she knows none of them possess the 50/50 blend of Indigenous and Western healing methodology that the new Tsakwa’luten Healing Centre will offer. Some will remember this property as the Tsa Kwa Luten Lodge, on the southern tip of Quadra Island. There will be 42 beds for people struggling with addiction. 20 of them should be ready when the Centre opens this Fall. Jennifer Whiteside, the province’s Minister for Health and Addictions, MLA Michele Babchuk, Councillor Susan Savoy of the K’omoks First Nation and a number of leaders from the health community joined the We Wai Kai First Nation for the dedication on Tuesday July 16, 2024.       

Continue reading Dedication of the Tsakwa’luten Healing Centre →