Homalco weaving workshop brings reconnection

Clockwise from top left: Malaya Malipitan, Glen Pallen, Marilyn Harry, Cheryl Francis, Rita Pimlott, Vera Peacey, Caroline Francis.

Photos by Todd Peacey

Homalco First Nation’s wellness group practiced twill cedar weaving during a three-day workshop at the community’s cultural centre that wrapped up in late … Read More

Bear tours connect Homalco members to territory

File photos by Todd Peacey

When Homalco member Ella Paul started out as a guide for her nation’s grizzly bear tours, it also gave her an opportunity to reconnect with her territory. The community’s former village sites are all remote … Read More

Nation revitalizes traditional fish weir to manage salmon

Above photo by Bryant DeRoy.

By Cara McKenna

Traditional fish weirs were once used by Indigenous communities all along the B.C. coast, but the technology was banned by the federal government during colonization. 

Now, the Heiltsuk Nation in Bella Bella … Read More

Wild Salmon Caravan calls sockeye home

Above: Wild Salmon Caravan organizer Dawn Morrison opens a salmon ceremony in Vancouver.

A week-long journey that follows wild salmon on their annual run to Adams River began with a day of ceremony and celebration in Coast Salish territory.

The Wild Salmon … Read More

‘Blanket exercise’ hosted at Tla’amin

By Devin Pielle (Koosen) Photo by Phil Russell

Tla’amin Nation facilitated a “blanket exercise” for approximately 15 people on Oct. 4, giving participants a chance to reflect on the hard truths of colonization.

The blanket exercise is an experimental workshop … Read More

T’Sou-ke chief recognized for ‘legendary’ community vision

T’Sou-ke Chief Gordon Planes (Hya-quatcha) has been honoured with an award for his community vision and achievements in sustainability and renewable energy.

Planes was presented with the prestigious Individual Achievement award at the annual B.C. Indigenous Business Awards gala in … Read More

Snuneymuxw leases former public school for programs

Snuneymuxw is leasing a former public elementary school site as a place to offer programs and services to its members.

The nation will be using the Woodbank Primary School site for youth and elder programming, support groups, culture camps, soccer … Read More

Gala goes beyond fashion to empower youth

Indigenous youth walked the runway during a successful fashion gala at Tsleil-Waututh Nation that will return to the community in years to come.

The first annual Tsleil-Waututh Nation Fashion Gala was hosted at the community’s gym in late July, with … Read More

Blanketing the city

By Cara McKenna

Musqueam artist Debra Sparrow (θəliχʷəlʷət) has been saying for two decades that she won’t stop until the City of Vancouver is blanketed in Coast Salish designs.

Mostly, Sparrow has meant the statement as a challenge to increase … Read More

Tsawout brothers carve totem pole to honour survivors

By Cara McKenna

Two brothers from Tsawout First Nation are carving a Coast Salish totem pole in memory of their late mother who survived residential school.

Tom and Perry LaFortune have been working on the seven-and-a-half-metre pole in a tent … Read More