First Nations

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)
Several of the members of the Ocean Resources team have returned to live within the Scia’new First Nation’s territory after living elsewhere for years. (Bailey Moreton/News Staff)

Western science meets traditional knowledge at Scia’new’s Ocean Resources centre

The centre is part of an effort to bring jobs and people home to Scia’new, according to Chief Russ Chipps

Several of the members of the Ocean Resources team have returned to live within the Scia’new First Nation’s territory after living elsewhere for years. (Bailey Moreton/News Staff)
Leslie Varley, executive director of BC Association of Aboriginal Friendship Centres, says a Hyatt Regency Vancouver employee denied a cultural advisor and staff member of BCAAFC access to a washroom, causing a “public and humiliating” incident. The hotel has since publicly apologized. (Screen cap)

Vancouver Hyatt Regency apologizes to First Nations group after alleged discrimination

BC Association of Aboriginal Friendship Centres welcomes apology, but won’t use hotel for event

Leslie Varley, executive director of BC Association of Aboriginal Friendship Centres, says a Hyatt Regency Vancouver employee denied a cultural advisor and staff member of BCAAFC access to a washroom, causing a “public and humiliating” incident. The hotel has since publicly apologized. (Screen cap)
Christina Spence-Proteau of Port Alberni takes a shot during the final round of the 2019 Canadian Women’s Mid-Amateur & Senior Championship at Osoyoos Golf Club. (Chuck Russell/Golf Canada)

Island golfer helping B.C.’s first Indigenous Golf Championship tee off this spring

Port Alberni golfer takes the helm as tournament chair for May event in Osoyoos

Christina Spence-Proteau of Port Alberni takes a shot during the final round of the 2019 Canadian Women’s Mid-Amateur & Senior Championship at Osoyoos Golf Club. (Chuck Russell/Golf Canada)
Gitxsan blockade of CN rail lines near New Hazelton in early 2020 erected in support of Wet’suwet’en opposition to the Coastal GasLink natural gas pipeline. (File photo)

Chiefs ban RCMP’s ‘militarized’ squadron from Gitxsan lands in northern B.C.

Community-Industry Response Group not welcome on Gitxsan lands, say chiefs

Gitxsan blockade of CN rail lines near New Hazelton in early 2020 erected in support of Wet’suwet’en opposition to the Coastal GasLink natural gas pipeline. (File photo)
Mowi Canada West salmon farm. (Mowi photo)

North Island First Nations reject continued fish farming in the Broughton Archipelago

Three First Nations announce their call on region’s last 7 fish farms through consent-based processes

Mowi Canada West salmon farm. (Mowi photo)
Chrissie John (ḥakaƛ) and her partner are committed to teaching their two young children their First Nations language as they grow up. The family is part of an increasing number of First Nations people in B.C. who are working to reclaim their mother tongues. (Submitted photo)

Taking back identity: New learners fight to keep First Nations languages in B.C. alive

Number of fluent speakers declining, but new learners on the rise

Chrissie John (ḥakaƛ) and her partner are committed to teaching their two young children their First Nations language as they grow up. The family is part of an increasing number of First Nations people in B.C. who are working to reclaim their mother tongues. (Submitted photo)