Indigenous reconcilliation

Vancouver Island First Nations and supporters gather near Victoria’s Inner Harbour and at the legislature in the summer of 2021 to honour 215 children who never came home from a Kamloops residential school. Events marking the discovery replaced Canada Day events last year, but traditional city organized events, with heavy First Nations involvement, may return for 2022. (Black Press Media file photo)

Victoria seeking local First Nations’ involvement in July 1 events; fireworks returning

Canada Day plans still preliminary, more discussions needed before event schedule set

Vancouver Island First Nations and supporters gather near Victoria’s Inner Harbour and at the legislature in the summer of 2021 to honour 215 children who never came home from a Kamloops residential school. Events marking the discovery replaced Canada Day events last year, but traditional city organized events, with heavy First Nations involvement, may return for 2022. (Black Press Media file photo)
Oak Bay is set to talk reconcilliation Monday, Jan. 24. (Black Press Media file photo)

Councillor pitches reconciliation task force for Oak Bay

Notice of motion, on Monday’s agenda, also requests changes to history page on district website

Oak Bay is set to talk reconcilliation Monday, Jan. 24. (Black Press Media file photo)
B.C. First Nations Justice Council chairperson Doug White III, left, seen here with B.C. Attorney General David Eby in March, was recognized for his work in B.C.’s legal system with a Queen’s counsel designation. (News Bulletin file)

Ottawa commits $8.9M to support B.C. Indigenous justice strategy

The funding will go toward the creation of 15 Indigenous justice centres in B.C.

B.C. First Nations Justice Council chairperson Doug White III, left, seen here with B.C. Attorney General David Eby in March, was recognized for his work in B.C.’s legal system with a Queen’s counsel designation. (News Bulletin file)
Oak Bay is now a full member of the Te’Mexw Treaty advisory committee, made up of elected officials, staff and observers from local governments in Greater Victoria that may be impacted by the Te’mexw treaty negotiations. (Black Press Media file photo)

Oak Bay lends voice to Te’Mexw treaty process

Advisory committee represents local governments impacted by treaty negotiation

Oak Bay is now a full member of the Te’Mexw Treaty advisory committee, made up of elected officials, staff and observers from local governments in Greater Victoria that may be impacted by the Te’mexw treaty negotiations. (Black Press Media file photo)
A child’s dress is seen on a cross outside a former residential school in Kamloops, B.C., Sunday, June 13, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward

Finding unmarked graves put spotlight on reconciliation in 2021

‘It’s important to remind Canadians (not to) let reconciliation become a performance’

A child’s dress is seen on a cross outside a former residential school in Kamloops, B.C., Sunday, June 13, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward
Cowichan Tribes’ member Madeline Joe is frustrated that almost nothing has been done to implement the recommendations of the Q’ushin’tul (Walking Together) Project report, which she co-authored. (Robert Barron/Citizen)

Lack of action frustrates Cowichan author of report on removal of indigenous children

Q’ushin’tul (Walking Together) Project report written in 2019

Cowichan Tribes’ member Madeline Joe is frustrated that almost nothing has been done to implement the recommendations of the Q’ushin’tul (Walking Together) Project report, which she co-authored. (Robert Barron/Citizen)
Kwakwaka’wakw and Coast Salish artist Maynard Johnny Jr. beside the unveiled design of the Salish Heron vessel. (Kiernan Green/News Staff)

BC Ferries unveils Indigenous design for next Salish Class vessel

Including Maynard Johnny Jr.’s artwork seen as a meaningful act towards reconciliation

Kwakwaka’wakw and Coast Salish artist Maynard Johnny Jr. beside the unveiled design of the Salish Heron vessel. (Kiernan Green/News Staff)
Cowichan Piggies senior men’s head coach Andrew Wright, club president Angie Gudmundseth and VP Admin Mike Rea address club members during a blessing ceremony at the Cowichan Rugby Football Club grounds last Saturday afternoon. (Kevin Rothbauer/Citizen)

Vancouver Island rugby club takes steps toward reconciliation

Blessing ceremony at Cowichan’s Herd Road grounds includes Tzinquaw Dancers

Cowichan Piggies senior men’s head coach Andrew Wright, club president Angie Gudmundseth and VP Admin Mike Rea address club members during a blessing ceremony at the Cowichan Rugby Football Club grounds last Saturday afternoon. (Kevin Rothbauer/Citizen)
A municipal plaque in Oak Bay’s Walbran Park could be under review for its wording and how accurately it reflects the history of the site. The federal historic site information at the top of the hill is already under review. (Photo by Bruce Kilpatrick)

Oak Bay may revisit history and how it’s presented in parks

Council discussion cut short, set to arise again at Nov. 29 meeting

A municipal plaque in Oak Bay’s Walbran Park could be under review for its wording and how accurately it reflects the history of the site. The federal historic site information at the top of the hill is already under review. (Photo by Bruce Kilpatrick)
Gov. Gen. Mary Simon delivers the Throne Speech in the Senate in Ottawa on Tuesday, Nov. 23, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld

Governor General centres ‘lifelong journey’ of reconciliation in throne speech

‘I encourage you to seek out the truth, and to learn about the lived realities’

Gov. Gen. Mary Simon delivers the Throne Speech in the Senate in Ottawa on Tuesday, Nov. 23, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld
A photo of the RCMP deployed at Morice Forest Service Road last week . (Gidimt’en Checkpoint Facebook photo)

Arrested journalists released with conditions as northwest B.C. pipeline dispute plays out in court

CGL is seeking to get those arrested to not return to the pipeline construction site in Houston

A photo of the RCMP deployed at Morice Forest Service Road last week . (Gidimt’en Checkpoint Facebook photo)
Indigenous artist Carey Newman The original Witness Blanket art piece is undergoing conservation at the Canadian Museum for Human Rights. A replica is on tour and will show at the Cedar Hill Recreation Centre from Nov. 16 to Dec. 12. (Photo courtesy of Aaron Cohen, CMHR)

Witness Blanket exhibit touches down in Saanich this month

Replica of Indigenous artist Carey Newman’s impactful piece opens at Cedar Hill gallery Nov. 16

Indigenous artist Carey Newman The original Witness Blanket art piece is undergoing conservation at the Canadian Museum for Human Rights. A replica is on tour and will show at the Cedar Hill Recreation Centre from Nov. 16 to Dec. 12. (Photo courtesy of Aaron Cohen, CMHR)
The Royal B.C. Museum’s third floor will fully close on Jan. 2 as it works to decolonize some of its original galleries. (File photo courtesy Royal B.C. Museum)

Royal B.C. Museum phasing out galleries that push colonial narrative

Third floor to be fully closed by Jan. 2

The Royal B.C. Museum’s third floor will fully close on Jan. 2 as it works to decolonize some of its original galleries. (File photo courtesy Royal B.C. Museum)
Pope Francis blesses faithful during the Angelus noon prayer he delivers from the window of his studio overlooking St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican, Sunday, Oct. 17, 2021. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)

Pope Francis to visit Canada as part of reconciliation efforts with Indigenous Peoples

The pilgrimage could be the occasion for a papal apology that has been demanded by many in Canada

Pope Francis blesses faithful during the Angelus noon prayer he delivers from the window of his studio overlooking St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican, Sunday, Oct. 17, 2021. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)
Nanaimo Indian Hospital survivor Melven <ins>(Sx̄wen)</ins> Jones recounts the abuse he endured at six years old, as he sits outside his home in Victoria. (Arnold Lim/Black Press Media)

‘It has to be heard’: Nanaimo Indian Hospital survivor recounts torture he endured

Melven (Sx̄wen) Jones was forcibly held for two years

Nanaimo Indian Hospital survivor Melven <ins>(Sx̄wen)</ins> Jones recounts the abuse he endured at six years old, as he sits outside his home in Victoria. (Arnold Lim/Black Press Media)
Nanaimo Indian Hospital survivor Melven <ins>(Sx̄wen)</ins> Jones recounts the abuse he endured at six years old, as he sits outside his home in Victoria. (Arnold Lim/Black Press Media)

‘It has to be heard’: Greater Victoria survivor recounts torture he endured at Indian Hospital

Melven (Sx̄wen) Jones was forcibly held at the Nanaimo Indian Hospital for two years

Nanaimo Indian Hospital survivor Melven <ins>(Sx̄wen)</ins> Jones recounts the abuse he endured at six years old, as he sits outside his home in Victoria. (Arnold Lim/Black Press Media)
Teachers Gillian Le Rose and Rick Fabris hold a canoe that’s part of a unique reconciliation project at Westshore Colwood School. (Photo courtesy of Sooke School District)

Colwood school, Sooke School District promote healing, reconciliation education

Unique canoe project sees students paddle together

Teachers Gillian Le Rose and Rick Fabris hold a canoe that’s part of a unique reconciliation project at Westshore Colwood School. (Photo courtesy of Sooke School District)
Everyone is welcome for the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation observance Sept. 30 at 10 a.m. at the Sno’uyutth welcome pole, in front of Oak Bay High at 2121 Cadboro Bay Rd. (Christine van Reeuwyk/News Staff)

Oak Bay groups unite to add action to reconciliation in the community

Sno’uyutth welcome pole inspires ReconciliACTION Oak Bay

Everyone is welcome for the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation observance Sept. 30 at 10 a.m. at the Sno’uyutth welcome pole, in front of Oak Bay High at 2121 Cadboro Bay Rd. (Christine van Reeuwyk/News Staff)
Cowichan Tribes’ Chief William Seymour, also known as Squtxulenuhw, was one of the five chiefs of the Cowichan Nation to sign an agreement with the province to work cooperatively to advance reconciliation. (File photo)

5 Island First Nations sign deal with B.C. to work together, government to government

Pact with Cowichan, Halalt, Penelakut, Stz’uminus and Lyackson intended to advance reconciliation

  • Sep 15, 2021
Cowichan Tribes’ Chief William Seymour, also known as Squtxulenuhw, was one of the five chiefs of the Cowichan Nation to sign an agreement with the province to work cooperatively to advance reconciliation. (File photo)
PaiThomas ‘Barndawg’ Paul (from left), Addie Elliott, and Brian ‘YellowWolf’ Sampson of the Tsartlip First Nation are a group called Paint the Town Red, set to perform at an upcoming Indigenous music festival at Beckwith Park on Aug. 21. (Photo courtesy of Brian Sampson)

Greater Victoria Indigenous artists set to shine at Saturday event in Saanich

First annual IYAKT music festival to take place at Beckwith Park in Saanich

PaiThomas ‘Barndawg’ Paul (from left), Addie Elliott, and Brian ‘YellowWolf’ Sampson of the Tsartlip First Nation are a group called Paint the Town Red, set to perform at an upcoming Indigenous music festival at Beckwith Park on Aug. 21. (Photo courtesy of Brian Sampson)