Category Archives: Indigenous Nations

History, Indigenous Nations History

The History of Residential and Day Schools

By Chadd Cawson, The Columbia Valley Pioneer, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Many people have heard about residential schools but are uneducated about them. And too many have known about the horrors and injustices that happened within the walls of them, but for too long their voices were never heard. First Nations, Inuit, and Métis children were taken from their families, communities, and culture for over 150 years. During this period, over 150,000 children attended what were then called Indian Residential Schools. Many never returned home to their families.

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Indigenous Nations, Rivers & Oceans, Waste

‘Action is better than words’: syilx Elder calls for better protection of water and land

By Aaron Hemens, The Discourse, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Following a water ceremony at the shore of kɬúsx̌nítkʷ (Okanagan Lake), a syilx Elder and knowledge keeper calls for more action to be taken when it comes to addressing pollution and illegal dumpings across the region.

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Indigenous Nations

Truth and Reconciliation Day: Education should be the priority, says Squamish Nation’s Wilson Williams

By Mina Kerr-Lazenby,  North Shore News, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Just what does the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation mean to those from First Nations communities? For some, it is a solemn day of remembrance and commemoration. For others, it is a small but celebratory step forward in the reconciliation process. For Wilson Williams (Sxwíxwtn), elected councillor and spokesperson for Squamish Nation (Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw), it is an amalgamation of the two, and then some. 

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Indigenous Nations History

Manitoba: Westman ride to honour residential school survivors

By Miranda Leybourne, Brandon Sun, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Next week residents of Waywayseecappo, Birdtail Sioux and Canupawakpa First Nations as well as Sioux Valley Dakota Nation are embarking on a ride — whether that’s on horseback, bicycle or by foot — to spread awareness of the former residential school system in Canada.

Participants will convene in Waywayseecappo on Sunday to begin the journey with a breakfast at 10 a.m., followed by a blessing at 11. From there, they will travel to the site of the former residential school in Birtle, located 142 kilometres northwest of Brandon, at noon.

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Indigenous Nations History, Tourism

Experiencing Bioluminescence with Cortes Kayaks

Cortes Kayaks bioluminescence tours have been setting out from Mansons Lagoon every Friday and Saturday for the past month.

There were about a dozen people in our group, which was mostly composed of off islanders from Vancouver, Victoria or the Cowichan Valley.  The only experienced kayakers were our guides, Jolaine Boucher and Maria Francis. However most of the group had some experience and the only rookie was me. 

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