Malahat Grows in more way than one!

Malahat Nation tripled the size of its lands in mid-July when it bought 525 hectares including the former Bamberton industrial site just south of its reserve lands along Saanich Inlet.

The purchase comes as the small nation undergoes something of … Read More

A Coast Salish Credit Union?

When groundbreaking took place for the Oyster Bay development at Stz’uminus First Nation in late June, details emerged of the project’s first tenant – the Coast Salish branch of the Ladysmith & District Credit Union (LDCU).

“We are really excited … Read More

Hot News for T’Sou-ke

The first harvest of 15,000 wasabi plants will take place near the end of August at T’Sou-ke First Nation.

As The Sentinel reported in its July 2014 issue:

Chief Gordon Planes steps into one of three large greenhouses, carpeted with … Read More

Spectacular Sums Up Homalco Tour

Words and photos by Tricia Thomas

Visitors to Campbell River are posting rave reviews for Homalco Wildlife Tours, Journey to Bute Inlet and now it’s not just because of the grizzly bears.

This year, for the first time, the traditional … Read More

A Jewel in Nanaimo’s Harbour

Words and photos by Tricia Thomas

Protection Island Ferries will temporarily pick up Newcastle Island passengers for $10 round-trip. Called Saysushun , in the Hul’q’umi’num language, the island is part of the traditional Snuneymuxw First Nation territory.

Interpreter Celestine Aleck leads tours of … Read More

I’Hos Connects Past and Present

Words and photos by Tricia Thomas

I’Hos is the traditional Coast Salish name for Savary Island. The word means tow-headed serpent. The Tla’amin (Sliammon) people have been living in this area of the Salish Sea for over 8,000 years. I’Hos Cultural Tours, located in Powell River … Read More

Herons Nest Works for You

A fresh, new version of the Herons Nest – Naut’sa mawt Tribal Council’s program for entrepreneurs, is about to begin. Coordinator Erik Blaney, a self-made successful businessperson from Sliammon First Nation, said he wants to hear from people in NmTC’s nations who want to work for themselves … Read More

Boot Camp is ‘Cool-ture’

By Tricia Thomas

Youth from Homalco and Tla’amin nations are reclaiming their culture and getting summer jobs guiding visitors to the traditional territory at the mouth of Bute Inlet thanks to a project called ‘cultural boot camp’.

Shawn O’Connor, manager … Read More

Adopting an Indigenous World View

By Tricia Thomas

The days of secret adoptions are over as is the practice of ‘kill the Indian to save the child’.

Those are two important things I learned in April when I attended the Forum for Change in Snuneymuxw … Read More

Cleaner Energy Alternatives

Energy Planning for our Nations

Ever wonder why there aren’t wind turbines or solar panels in all communities around the Salish Sea or why we pay so much for heating and powering our homes?

Halalt, Homalco, Tsawwassen and Stz’uminus First … Read More