Indigenous reconcilliation

Nuu-chah-nulth First Nations leaders, Tofino Resort + Marina crew, and Bottom Dwellers Freediving teamed up on April 23 to host an inaugural Spearfishing Summit. All the funds raised at the event go to support the Nuu-Chah-Nulth Youth Warrior Leadership Program, a local society that weaves traditional and mainstream leadership and wellness teachings and practices together on the land to build capability, cultural pride and confidence in young men. (Nora O’Malley photo)

First-ever B.C. Spearfishing Summit nets over $20,000 for Indigenous youth

36 sets of advanced snorkeling gear will be distributed amongst the Nations thanks to the fundraiser

Nuu-chah-nulth First Nations leaders, Tofino Resort + Marina crew, and Bottom Dwellers Freediving teamed up on April 23 to host an inaugural Spearfishing Summit. All the funds raised at the event go to support the Nuu-Chah-Nulth Youth Warrior Leadership Program, a local society that weaves traditional and mainstream leadership and wellness teachings and practices together on the land to build capability, cultural pride and confidence in young men. (Nora O’Malley photo)
Crystal Smith (far left) and husband Raymond Shaw were unable to register their newborn son’s name because it uses Kwak’wala characters. Photo contributed

Province refuses to register B.C. baby’s First Nations name

Registrar General office says λugʷaləs K’ala’ask Shaw contravened Vital Statistics Agency standards

Crystal Smith (far left) and husband Raymond Shaw were unable to register their newborn son’s name because it uses Kwak’wala characters. Photo contributed
“True Reconciliation” will be Jody Wilson-Raybould’s third book. (Mélanie Provencher/House of Commons Photo Services)

Former justice minister Jody Wilson-Raybould to release book on reconciliation

The publisher says the book comes in response to the most common question Wilson-Raybould receives

“True Reconciliation” will be Jody Wilson-Raybould’s third book. (Mélanie Provencher/House of Commons Photo Services)
Grand Chief Clarence (Kat) Pennier. (Sto:lo Tribal Council)

Stólō Tribal Council embarking on interview project for survivors of St. Mary’s Residential School

‘It’s a humongous task, but it needs to be done,’ said Stólō Grand Chief Clarence Pennier

Grand Chief Clarence (Kat) Pennier. (Sto:lo Tribal Council)
Pope Francis meets with the Canadian Metis delegates at the Vatican, Monday March 28, 2022. (Vatican Media)

‘Truth, justice and healing:’ Métis and Inuit delegates meet with Pope Francis

Métis and Inuit residential school survivors and leaders had meetings with the head of the Roman Catholic Church

Pope Francis meets with the Canadian Metis delegates at the Vatican, Monday March 28, 2022. (Vatican Media)
Victoria councillors approved a motion Thursday (March 24) that calls for forms to be mailed with tax notices that enable property owners to make a voluntary donation to local First Nations, as an act of reconciliation. (Jane Skrypnek/News Staff)

Victoria votes to move ahead with voluntary Indigenous reconciliation tax

Property owners in B.C. capital will have option to donate to local First Nations with tax payment

Victoria councillors approved a motion Thursday (March 24) that calls for forms to be mailed with tax notices that enable property owners to make a voluntary donation to local First Nations, as an act of reconciliation. (Jane Skrypnek/News Staff)
Victoria council, meeting as committee of the whole, will consider a motion on a voluntary reconciliation tax. (Black Press Media file photo)

B.C.’s capital considering voluntary Indigenous reconciliation tax for property owners

Under Victoria proposal, city taxpayers would have option to add contribution to area First Nations

Victoria council, meeting as committee of the whole, will consider a motion on a voluntary reconciliation tax. (Black Press Media file photo)
Eleanor Nooski (left) and Tanya Stump at Lejac on March 17, 2022. (Photo by Michael Bramadat-Willcock/Omineca Express)

B.C. First Nation prepares for Vatican visit

Delegates will invite Pope Francis to visit Lejac residential school, push for access to Vatican archives

Eleanor Nooski (left) and Tanya Stump at Lejac on March 17, 2022. (Photo by Michael Bramadat-Willcock/Omineca Express)
Longtime Tofino crab fisher Jeff Edwards holds up a Dungeness crab aboard his vessel ‘Camegan’. (Submitted photo)

Tofino crab fishery rocked by rights transfer pleading for federal help

Indigenous rights-based changes to Tofino crab fishery weigh heavily on family-run businesses

Longtime Tofino crab fisher Jeff Edwards holds up a Dungeness crab aboard his vessel ‘Camegan’. (Submitted photo)
Ry Moran, a University of Victoria associate librarian of reconciliation, was one of the researchers involved in developing the Canadian Reconciliation Barometer’s first report. (Photo courtesy of Nardella Photography/University of Victoria)

Barometer finds gaps in understanding impact of Canadian residential schools

B.C. researcher helped craft report tracking state of Indigenous reconciliation in Canada

Ry Moran, a University of Victoria associate librarian of reconciliation, was one of the researchers involved in developing the Canadian Reconciliation Barometer’s first report. (Photo courtesy of Nardella Photography/University of Victoria)
Trutch Street is named after B.C.’s first lieutenant governor, whose policies displaced Indigenous people across the province. It will soon be renamed Su’it Street. (Google Street View)

Victoria councillors recommend street name change to reflect Lekwungen peoples

Committee vote unanimous in support of Su’it Street over Trutch Street, council vote happens March 3

Trutch Street is named after B.C.’s first lieutenant governor, whose policies displaced Indigenous people across the province. It will soon be renamed Su’it Street. (Google Street View)
Teachers from School District 27 learn about a sweat ceremony during a cross-cultural workshop at Esk’etemc. (Photo submitted)

B.C. First Nation connects reconciliation and healing through education

Chief Fred Robbins says education is key to changing attitudes toward First Nations people

Teachers from School District 27 learn about a sweat ceremony during a cross-cultural workshop at Esk’etemc. (Photo submitted)
Victoria city staff are recommending that Trutch Street be renamed Su’it Street, an anglicized version of the Lekwungen translation for truth. (Google Maps)

From Trutch to Truth: new name pitched for Victoria street named for racist official

City staff recommend city rename Trutch Street to Lekwungen translation for ‘truth’

Victoria city staff are recommending that Trutch Street be renamed Su’it Street, an anglicized version of the Lekwungen translation for truth. (Google Maps)
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)

Canada Day celebration coming back to the the capital this year

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

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)
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)
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
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 Island artist Maynard Johnny Jr.’s artwork seen as 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)
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)
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