Developing future leaders: Coast Salish youth gather in Tla’amin

Photos and story by Cara McKenna

Several years ago, Lawrence Mitchell of Snaw-naw-as First Nation had a vision to give Coast Salish youth an opportunity to come together and learn about their culture.

This summer, he saw his idea realized … Read More

Kinder Morgan fight reaches crucial moment

Story and photos by Cara McKenna

Hundreds of people opposed Kinder Morgan with renewed vigour on Sept. 9 as B.C.’s new NDP government has promised to do “whatever it takes” to stop the pipeline and support Indigenous rights.

First Nations … Read More

Budding entrepreneurs get prepared at business ‘boot camp’

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Up-and-coming Coast Salish entrepreneurs learned some tips about what … Read More

Walk for reconciliation draws tens of thousands

Story and photos by Cara McKenna

Standing on a wooden platform, Tsleil-Waututh Elder Amy George spoke to an enormous crowd of people before the Walk for Reconciliation in Vancouver on Sept. 24.

George, a survivor, spoke about a decade she … Read More

Thousands attend B.C. Elders Gathering

Photos by Todd Peacey

About 5,000 elders from all corners of British Columbia travelled to Campbell River to attend this year’s B.C. Elders Gathering.

The 41st annual gathering took place from June 11 to 13 at the Strathcona Gardens Recreation … Read More

Walking through ‘Unbelievable’ exhibit

By Cara McKenna

“Why do we assume some stories are true when they actually aren’t?” questions Sharon Fortney, a curator at the Museum of Vancouver.

Fortney, who is Klahoose and German, worked on the museum’s latest exhibit titled Unbelievable.

In … Read More

A tale of two Coast Salish blankets

By Cara McKenna

Rare woolly dog hair found in blanket at Burke Museum

A Coast Salish blanket being shown in Seattle is believed to be the only one in a Northwest museum that’s confirmed to be made with the hair … Read More

Pulling Together: canoe journey wraps on shores of Vancouver

Photos by Cara McKenna

A 10-day canoe journey finished up on the shores of Vancouver on July 14, as paddlers were granted permission to come ashore by Coast Salish leaders.

It was the first time in 16 years that the … Read More

Work begins on Canada’s Indigenous Languages Act

By Cara McKenna

On June 15, Canada announced it will work on a law to preserve, protect and revitalize Indigenous languages, with goals to complete it by 2018.

Federal ministers say the Indigenous Languages Act will be created collaboratively with … Read More

qaymɩxʷqɛnəm: the comeback of ʔayʔaǰuθəm at Tla’amin

By Cara McKenna

qaymɩxʷqɛnəm is a word in Tla’amin First Nation’s traditional language that means “to speak in the native language.”

And that’s exactly what people are doing more and more of at Tla’amin, as revitalization efforts – and excitement … Read More