First Nations

Jennifer Charlesworth, B.C.’s Representative for Children and Youth, says children and youth lost and missing from the child welfare system are “canaries in the coal mine” of a child welfare system that is “struggling to provide safe, nurturing and timely care” for them. (Black Press Media file photo) (InWithForward)

’Canaries in the coal mine’: Report highlights missing child, youth within B.C.’s welfare system

Report finds ‘systemic’ challenges in child welfare system but finds problems across social systems

Jennifer Charlesworth, B.C.’s Representative for Children and Youth, says children and youth lost and missing from the child welfare system are “canaries in the coal mine” of a child welfare system that is “struggling to provide safe, nurturing and timely care” for them. (Black Press Media file photo) (InWithForward)
Canadian Coast Guard members, along with the Port Hardy RCMP, help paint Stan Hunt’s 18-foot tall Indigenous monument for residential school children. (Tyson Whitney - North Island Gazette)

Indigenous monument for residential school children receives its first coat of paint

Roughly 15-20 Island Canadian Coast Guard members showed up to help paint the monument

Canadian Coast Guard members, along with the Port Hardy RCMP, help paint Stan Hunt’s 18-foot tall Indigenous monument for residential school children. (Tyson Whitney - North Island Gazette)
Grand Chief Stewart Phillip of the Union of British Columbia Indian Chiefs, here seen in 2022, welcomes $200 million for implementation of UNDRIP (Black Press Media file photo)

B.C. commits $200 million to implementation of UN Indigenous standard

Grand Chief Stewart Phillip of Union of British Columbia Indian Chiefs calls UNDRIP funding historic

Grand Chief Stewart Phillip of the Union of British Columbia Indian Chiefs, here seen in 2022, welcomes $200 million for implementation of UNDRIP (Black Press Media file photo)
Trans Mountain Pipeline expansion project construction in the back field at Vedder Middle School in Chilliwack on July 29, 2022. (Paul Henderson/ Black Press Media)

B.C. First Nation, UBCIC urge banks to stop financing Trans Mountain expansion project

Groups urging banks to reconsider the $10 billion loan currently being negotiated

  • Apr 25, 2023
Trans Mountain Pipeline expansion project construction in the back field at Vedder Middle School in Chilliwack on July 29, 2022. (Paul Henderson/ Black Press Media)
Protesters march out of Oppenheimer Park along Powell Street in Vancouver on April 14, 2023 during an event marking the seventh anniversary of the toxic drug deaths in B.C. (Photo: Lauren Collins)

Toxic drug deaths response, care now top priority for First Nations Health Authority

When looking at abstinence as only option, it creates stigma, fear and shame: FNHA

Protesters march out of Oppenheimer Park along Powell Street in Vancouver on April 14, 2023 during an event marking the seventh anniversary of the toxic drug deaths in B.C. (Photo: Lauren Collins)
The view from atop PKOLS (formerly Mt. Douglas Park). (Justin Samanski-Langille/News Staff)

‘Toponymic revolution’: Indigenizing place names in Greater Victoria

University of Victoria historian John Lutz said he expects the recent momentum will continue

The view from atop PKOLS (formerly Mt. Douglas Park). (Justin Samanski-Langille/News Staff)
The First Nations Health Authority have released the 2022 data on toxic drug deaths for Indigenous people in B.C. Dr. Nel Wieman with the First Nations Health Authority speaks about the illicit drug toxicity deaths in the province and about the effect on First Nation’s communities during a press conference at B.C. Legislature in Victoria, B.C., on Monday, February 24, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito

First Nations ‘particularly and disproportionately’ overrepresented among B.C. toxic drug deaths

First Nations Health Authority releases 2022 data; detail plans for public health response

The First Nations Health Authority have released the 2022 data on toxic drug deaths for Indigenous people in B.C. Dr. Nel Wieman with the First Nations Health Authority speaks about the illicit drug toxicity deaths in the province and about the effect on First Nation’s communities during a press conference at B.C. Legislature in Victoria, B.C., on Monday, February 24, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito
Leadership Council is calling for changes to the Cannabis Act for communities to better access the benefits of legalization. Kootenay Krush Farms is located near Parsons. (Black Press Media File)

First Nations group calls for changes to Cannabis Act

First Nations Leadership Council says rights, needs ignored by colonial government during legalization

Leadership Council is calling for changes to the Cannabis Act for communities to better access the benefits of legalization. Kootenay Krush Farms is located near Parsons. (Black Press Media File)
Michaela Gilbert, a young WLFN artist studying fine arts at the University of Victoria, in her studio space with some of her artwork. (Satya Underhill Garcia)

Telus art features Cariboo, Chilcotin First Nations artists

“Opportunities like that, we would not have ever dreamed of before,” said artist Barbara Derrick

Michaela Gilbert, a young WLFN artist studying fine arts at the University of Victoria, in her studio space with some of her artwork. (Satya Underhill Garcia)
Nits’ilʔin (Chief) Joe Alphonse received his Honorary Doctor of Laws (LLD) from the University of Victoria Nov. 10. for his leadership over many years to compel respect for Indigenous law, title and jurisdiction in Canada. Alphonse will be in New York at the UN forum on Indigenous issues that begins April 17, 2023. (Photo submitted)

Tsilhqot’in chiefs attending United Nations forum on Indigenous issues in New York City

Chief Joe Alphonse will address the delegates

Nits’ilʔin (Chief) Joe Alphonse received his Honorary Doctor of Laws (LLD) from the University of Victoria Nov. 10. for his leadership over many years to compel respect for Indigenous law, title and jurisdiction in Canada. Alphonse will be in New York at the UN forum on Indigenous issues that begins April 17, 2023. (Photo submitted)
The province and four First Nations located in the area subject to Treaty 8 announced Friday a consensus document spelling out various initiatives to address the effects of industrial development stemming from oil and gas exploration. The orange-bounded area show the area deemed important by Blueberry River First Nation. It and the provincial government Wednesday announced a historic agreement for a land-management approach. (Screencap)

‘A bill that’s gone unpaid’: 5 B.C. First Nations receive cash, land settlements from province, feds

Longstanding claims stem from treaty signed in 1899

The province and four First Nations located in the area subject to Treaty 8 announced Friday a consensus document spelling out various initiatives to address the effects of industrial development stemming from oil and gas exploration. The orange-bounded area show the area deemed important by Blueberry River First Nation. It and the provincial government Wednesday announced a historic agreement for a land-management approach. (Screencap)
A float plane was significantly damaged after crashing into a water taxi in the Tofino harbour on Oct. 18, 2021. (Transportation Safety Board of Canada photo)

NTC says ‘critical changes’ needed to water taxi and float plane traffic in Tofino

Transportation Safety Board’s report outlines high tourist and residential traffic around Tofino’s harbour

A float plane was significantly damaged after crashing into a water taxi in the Tofino harbour on Oct. 18, 2021. (Transportation Safety Board of Canada photo)
A fish farm in Laich-Kwil-Tach territory. First nations elected Chief says that the judicial review of the DFO's decision to shutter farms in the Discovery Islands territory could have economic impacts for his people. Photo Courtesy Coalition of First Nations for Finfish Stewardship

Fish farm decision disregards First Nations input: Wei Wai Kum Chief

Federal government cancelled licences in Discovery Islands area in February

A fish farm in Laich-Kwil-Tach territory. First nations elected Chief says that the judicial review of the DFO's decision to shutter farms in the Discovery Islands territory could have economic impacts for his people. Photo Courtesy Coalition of First Nations for Finfish Stewardship
kQwa’st’not (Char George) holds a sign along the Malahat Highway Tuesday (April 11) as part of an effort to raise awareness of the impacts of widening the Malahat Highway on the nearby rivers in Goldstream Provincial Park where salmon spawn. (Bailey Moreton/News Staff)

Group protests Malahat widening, alleging a lack of consultation, threat to fish

Widening on the highway will hurt the salmon that spawn in nearby streams, according to advocates

kQwa’st’not (Char George) holds a sign along the Malahat Highway Tuesday (April 11) as part of an effort to raise awareness of the impacts of widening the Malahat Highway on the nearby rivers in Goldstream Provincial Park where salmon spawn. (Bailey Moreton/News Staff)
Penelakut Island Thunder whoop it up after winning the Totem Tournament in Victoria. (Photo by Mable Mitchell)

Thunder rumbles to another soccer championship

First Victoria Totem Tournament title in 23 years for Penelakut Island team

Penelakut Island Thunder whoop it up after winning the Totem Tournament in Victoria. (Photo by Mable Mitchell)
A black bear pops its head out of the longhouse door during the March 22 performance of naaʔuu. (Nora O’Malley photo)

Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation cultural event series wows audiences in Tofino

“We have a wonderful opportunity to create these strong relationships from a grounded place”

A black bear pops its head out of the longhouse door during the March 22 performance of naaʔuu. (Nora O’Malley photo)
From left: λugʷaləs, Janine and Raven Shaw share a happy moment. Their parents Crystal Smith and Raymond Shaw were successful in getting B.C.’s Vital Statistics Agency to put λugʷaləs’ proper name on his birth certificate. Shaw family photograph

Campbell River couple’s battle to get son’s Indigenous name on birth certificate successful

B.C. Vital Statistics Agency agrees to accept Indigenous language letters

From left: λugʷaləs, Janine and Raven Shaw share a happy moment. Their parents Crystal Smith and Raymond Shaw were successful in getting B.C.’s Vital Statistics Agency to put λugʷaləs’ proper name on his birth certificate. Shaw family photograph
Eunice Charles (left) and Weyla Chipps-Roy have travelled as far afield as Rotterdam in the Netherlands during their journey to work as deckhands in the marine industry. (Courtesy of Weyla Chipps-Roy)

Scia’new pair excited by ‘really cool’ job after training to be deckhands

Weyla Chipps-Roy and Eunice Charles will help bring the K.J. Gardner to Cheanuh Marina

Eunice Charles (left) and Weyla Chipps-Roy have travelled as far afield as Rotterdam in the Netherlands during their journey to work as deckhands in the marine industry. (Courtesy of Weyla Chipps-Roy)
Kwakiutl First Nation master carver Stan Hunt’s 18-foot monument to Indigenous children who were abused and died while attending residential schools is taking shape and nearly ready to be painted. (Megyn Williams photo)

B.C. residential school monument ‘asking for these children’s spirits to come home’

North Island master carver finishing 18-foot work in remembrance of residential school children

Kwakiutl First Nation master carver Stan Hunt’s 18-foot monument to Indigenous children who were abused and died while attending residential schools is taking shape and nearly ready to be painted. (Megyn Williams photo)
Program manager Ben Whitby shows a similar type of buoy-based wave data collection platform to the one that will be deployed in the waters off Yuquot at the University of Victoria’s Pacific Regional Institute for Marine Energy Discovery (PRIMED) lab in North Saanich March 3. (Austin Westphal/News Staff) Program manager Ben Whitby shows a similar type of buoy-based wave data collection platform to the one that will be deployed in the waters off Yuquot at the University of Victoria’s Pacific Regional Institute for Marine Energy Discovery (PRIMED) lab in North Saanich March 3. (Austin Westphal/News Staff)

UVic researchers help bring First Nation back to Nootka Island with wave power

Mowachaht/Muchalaht First Nation looks towards renewable energy microgrid to power future community

Program manager Ben Whitby shows a similar type of buoy-based wave data collection platform to the one that will be deployed in the waters off Yuquot at the University of Victoria’s Pacific Regional Institute for Marine Energy Discovery (PRIMED) lab in North Saanich March 3. (Austin Westphal/News Staff) Program manager Ben Whitby shows a similar type of buoy-based wave data collection platform to the one that will be deployed in the waters off Yuquot at the University of Victoria’s Pacific Regional Institute for Marine Energy Discovery (PRIMED) lab in North Saanich March 3. (Austin Westphal/News Staff)