Indigenous peoples

Protesters, including First Nations groups, gathered outside the Kelowna Court House during the sentencing of fraudulent social worker Robert Riley Saunders (Jacqueline Gelineau)

5 years prison time ‘not enough’ for fraudulent social worker: First Nations leaders

Robert Riley Saunders stole over $461,000 intended for vulnerable, primarily First Nations, youth

 

Protesters in front of the Kelowna court house (Jacqueline Gelineau)

Trust in social systems ‘destroyed’: Victim of fraudulent Kelowna social worker

Sentencing begins for fraudulent social worker Robert Riley Saunders

 

Young dancers give it their all during the Similkameen Powwow of Champions. June is National Indigenous History Month and June 21 is designated as National Indigenous Peoples Day in Canada. (Black Press file photo)

QUIZ: Honouring National Indigenous Peoples Day

June 21 is National Indigenous Peoples Day in Canada and June is National Indigenous History Month

 

The City of Courtenay, Town of Comox, Village of Cumberland and the Comox Valley Regional District respectfully acknowledge the land on which they operate is on the unceded traditional territory of the K’ómoks First Nation, the traditional keepers of this land. Photo supplied

Comox Valley residents encouraged to celebrate National Indigenous Peoples Day

June 21 is National Indigenous Peoples Day. Together as elected officials, we…

  • Jun 20, 2022
The City of Courtenay, Town of Comox, Village of Cumberland and the Comox Valley Regional District respectfully acknowledge the land on which they operate is on the unceded traditional territory of the K’ómoks First Nation, the traditional keepers of this land. Photo supplied
A bucket brigade on the Spokane River is releasing tagged salmon into the Columbia River system. (Lake Roosevelt Forum/Facebook

Spring salmon spotted for 1st time since 1930 in B.C.’s Columbia River

U.S. efforts to return salmon to Upper Columbia River gaining traction, some caught in BC waters

A bucket brigade on the Spokane River is releasing tagged salmon into the Columbia River system. (Lake Roosevelt Forum/Facebook
Dozens of people gathered at Vancouver City Hall Thursday (May 5) to mark Red Dress Day and call attention to the continued crisis of missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls and two-spirit people. (Jane Skrypnek/News Staff)

PHOTOS: ‘We deserve to be here’: Dozens mark Red Dress Day in Vancouver

May 5 is the National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls

Dozens of people gathered at Vancouver City Hall Thursday (May 5) to mark Red Dress Day and call attention to the continued crisis of missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls and two-spirit people. (Jane Skrypnek/News Staff)
Academics and members of racialized and Indigenous communities in B.C. say anti-racism data collection is a step in the right direction. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)

B.C.’s anti-racism legislation could hold real power, if done right: advocates

Data collection must be intersectional and empowering, say academics and community members

Academics and members of racialized and Indigenous communities in B.C. say anti-racism data collection is a step in the right direction. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
The late Elton Keshane as a young man. (Courtesy Tina Savea)

B.C. woman finds healing even as graves found in schoolyard where she played

Indigenous woman Tina Savea gives voice to her late father, sharing childhood abuses he faced

The late Elton Keshane as a young man. (Courtesy Tina Savea)
The Malahat Nation’s environment department is in the process of surveying areas of the Salish Sea to find what is known as ghost gear – abandoned fishing and trapping equipment that has sunk. It’s part of the nation’s ocean cleanup and awareness program. (Photo courtesy of Malahat Nation)

Malahat Nation working to remove ‘ghost gear’ from Salish Sea

Surveying is underway via a remote operated vehicle

The Malahat Nation’s environment department is in the process of surveying areas of the Salish Sea to find what is known as ghost gear – abandoned fishing and trapping equipment that has sunk. It’s part of the nation’s ocean cleanup and awareness program. (Photo courtesy of Malahat Nation)
Vancouver’s temporary Barge Chilling Beach sign has twice been tagged with the Indigenous place name Í7iy̓el̓shn, pronounced ee-ay-ul-shun, which means “good underfoot” in hən̓q̓əmin̓əm. (Cole Schisler/Black Press)

Vancouver’s ‘Barge Chilling Beach’ sparks conversation over Indigenous place names

Quick installation of the sign raised questions about why restoring Indigenous names takes so long

Vancouver’s temporary Barge Chilling Beach sign has twice been tagged with the Indigenous place name Í7iy̓el̓shn, pronounced ee-ay-ul-shun, which means “good underfoot” in hən̓q̓əmin̓əm. (Cole Schisler/Black Press)
Richard Hunt supervised the installation of his restored 1979 totem pole at Thunderbird Park on Monday (Dec. 20). (Kiernan Green/News Staff)

PHOTOS: Totem restored by Island carver joins those of the masters at Thunderbird Park

Relocation of Richard Hunt’s first pole completed Monday on Royal BC Museum grounds

Richard Hunt supervised the installation of his restored 1979 totem pole at Thunderbird Park on Monday (Dec. 20). (Kiernan Green/News Staff)
From left: Claude Bédard of the Comox Valley MIKI’SIW Métis Association, Courtenay-Comox MLA Ronna-Rae Leonard, Courtenay Mayor Bob Wells and Elder Donna Mitchell of the K’ómoks First Nation. Photo supplied

City of Courtenay honours Indigenous Veterans Day

Flags at Courtenay City Hall have been lowered to half-mast Monday for…

From left: Claude Bédard of the Comox Valley MIKI’SIW Métis Association, Courtenay-Comox MLA Ronna-Rae Leonard, Courtenay Mayor Bob Wells and Elder Donna Mitchell of the K’ómoks First Nation. Photo supplied
Each of the 650 butterflies created for the Reconciliation Butterfly Project carries its own personal message. Photo by Alissa Mather

PHOTOS: Comox school commemorates Orange Shirt Day with Reconciliation Butterfly Project

650 butterflies hang in Highland school library, as a constant reminder to students

Each of the 650 butterflies created for the Reconciliation Butterfly Project carries its own personal message. Photo by Alissa Mather
Huu-ay-aht First Nations Chief Councillor Robert Dennis Sr. addresses a small group of supporters as he announced work on the $31-million resurfacing of Bamfield Main Road will begin in earnest. (PHOTO COURTESY HUU-AY-AHT FIRST NATIONS)

$31M Bamfield Road project breaks new ground for Island First Nation, B.C.

Huu-ay-aht First Nations the first Indigenous community to lead major infrastructure project

  • Oct 26, 2021
Huu-ay-aht First Nations Chief Councillor Robert Dennis Sr. addresses a small group of supporters as he announced work on the $31-million resurfacing of Bamfield Main Road will begin in earnest. (PHOTO COURTESY HUU-AY-AHT FIRST NATIONS)
Nuu-chah-nulth and Kwakwaka’wakw drummers sing the Grease Trail Song during a totem pole unveiling ceremony in Port Alberni. Canada’s Indigenous population is expected to grow faster than the country’s non-Indigenous population in the next 20 years, including in B.C. (Black Press Media file photo)

B.C. could be home to 500,000 Indigenous people by 2041

Canada’s Indigenous population growth projected to outpace non-Indigenous in next 20 years

Nuu-chah-nulth and Kwakwaka’wakw drummers sing the Grease Trail Song during a totem pole unveiling ceremony in Port Alberni. Canada’s Indigenous population is expected to grow faster than the country’s non-Indigenous population in the next 20 years, including in B.C. (Black Press Media file photo)
Robert Riley Saunders. (File)

Syilx Nation wants MCFD overhaul after social worker steals thousands from foster kids

Nation says ministry needs to take responsibility for ‘complete failure’

Robert Riley Saunders. (File)
Maynard Johnny Jr. created this steering paddle orca design using a playful colour palette and as he was painting the fun colours it reminded him of how playful and happy his granddaughter is, therefore becoming granddaughter orca. “I’m proud to be a part of the Coast Salish Renaissance and perpetuating the style to the forefront of the West Coast Native Art world,” he noted. (Photo submitted)

Island Coast Salish artist’s colourful design selected for newest BC Ferries vessel

Maynard Johnny Jr. honoured for his vision for the Salish Heron

Maynard Johnny Jr. created this steering paddle orca design using a playful colour palette and as he was painting the fun colours it reminded him of how playful and happy his granddaughter is, therefore becoming granddaughter orca. “I’m proud to be a part of the Coast Salish Renaissance and perpetuating the style to the forefront of the West Coast Native Art world,” he noted. (Photo submitted)
Carver Tim Paul, left, talks with a collaborator prior to the ‘closing the eyes’ ceremony for n’aasn’aas?aqsa Aug. 13, 2021 at the Maritime Discovery Centre. The totem will be unveiled in its final resting place near Victoria Quay on Saturday, Sept. 18, 2021. (SUSAN QUINN/ Alberni Valley News)

New home for Indigenous language totem pole in Port Alberni

Language pole was a joint carving project in partnership with the United Nations

Carver Tim Paul, left, talks with a collaborator prior to the ‘closing the eyes’ ceremony for n’aasn’aas?aqsa Aug. 13, 2021 at the Maritime Discovery Centre. The totem will be unveiled in its final resting place near Victoria Quay on Saturday, Sept. 18, 2021. (SUSAN QUINN/ Alberni Valley News)
Sawmill workers in Princeton, B.C., 2018. The B.C. government has committed to redistributing Crown forest resources to provide a greater share for Indigenous communities. (B.C. government photo)

‘Disrespectful’: B.C. First Nations blast NDP’s forest renewal effort

20 Indigenous communities call for more time, resources

Sawmill workers in Princeton, B.C., 2018. The B.C. government has committed to redistributing Crown forest resources to provide a greater share for Indigenous communities. (B.C. government photo)
Red Feather Podcast hosts Janelle Minoza, left, and Aimee Chalifoux get set up to record from their office at Literacy Central Vancouver Island. (Greg Sakaki/News Bulletin)

Indigenous knowledge-keepers share stories as part of Island podcast project

Central Island’s Indigenous literacy program coordinators launch Red Feather Podcast

Red Feather Podcast hosts Janelle Minoza, left, and Aimee Chalifoux get set up to record from their office at Literacy Central Vancouver Island. (Greg Sakaki/News Bulletin)