Indigenous reconcilliation

Wahmeesh Ken Watts, left, elected chief councillor for Tseshaht First Nation, signs an agreement with Catalyst Paper (Paper Excellence Canada) general manager Walter Tarnowsky on Friday, Dec. 3, 2021. (SUSAN QUINN/ Alberni Valley News)

Tseshaht First Nation, Catalyst Paper sign MOU

Paper Excellence is the largest business Tseshaht has signed an MOU with to date

Wahmeesh Ken Watts, left, elected chief councillor for Tseshaht First Nation, signs an agreement with Catalyst Paper (Paper Excellence Canada) general manager Walter Tarnowsky on Friday, Dec. 3, 2021. (SUSAN QUINN/ Alberni Valley News)
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)
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 in Victoria

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’: 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)
Wahmeesh Ken Watts, second from right, Chief councillor for Tseshaht First Nation, accepts a donation of $7,750 from Alberni Valley Drag Racing Association members Roger Haggerty, left, Dave Beecroft, Deb Haggerty and Dave Mikkelson. (SUSAN QUINN/ Alberni Valley News)

Port Alberni drag racers donate nearly $16K to pair of charities

Residential school memorial, hospital expansion both benefit from Aug. charity cruise

Wahmeesh Ken Watts, second from right, Chief councillor for Tseshaht First Nation, accepts a donation of $7,750 from Alberni Valley Drag Racing Association members Roger Haggerty, left, Dave Beecroft, Deb Haggerty and Dave Mikkelson. (SUSAN QUINN/ Alberni Valley News)
Jaswinder Athwal packs cedar shakes at the Teal Jones mill in Surrey. On Sep. 30, Teal Jones is halting operations across the province in honour of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. (Photo: Shawn Hall)

BC lumber company pauses operations to honour National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

Family-owned company encourages employees to take time to attend local events, pay respect

  • Sep 27, 2021
Jaswinder Athwal packs cedar shakes at the Teal Jones mill in Surrey. On Sep. 30, Teal Jones is halting operations across the province in honour of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. (Photo: Shawn Hall)
The Municipality of North Cowichan is considering retiring its coast of arms. (File photo)

North Cowichan to consider retiring its coat of arms

Reconciliation with First Nations cited in recommendation

The Municipality of North Cowichan is considering retiring its coast of arms. (File photo)
An artist’s conception shows the possibility of what a vibrant waterfront community could look like at the Somass Sawmill property. (SUBMITTED PHOTO)

Port Alberni council envisions multiple uses, public access to waterfront with Somass purchase

City won’t take possession of sawmill property until Feb. 14, 2022

An artist’s conception shows the possibility of what a vibrant waterfront community could look like at the Somass Sawmill property. (SUBMITTED PHOTO)
Sarah Robinson’s spirit lives on in the newly formed Sarah Robinson Foundation. (Submitted photo)

Sarah Robinson Foundation carries on the work of departed Indigenous women’s advocate

A fundraiser in Vancouver on Aug. 7, Sarah’s 36th birthday, helps the charity take flight

Sarah Robinson’s spirit lives on in the newly formed Sarah Robinson Foundation. (Submitted photo)
People sing and drum at a memorial outside the former Kamloops Indian Residential School to honour the 215 children whose remains have been discovered buried near the facility, in Kamloops, B.C., on Monday, May 31, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

B.C. to mark Sept. 30 as day of commemoration for residential school victims, survivors

Sept. 30 has been made a federal holiday

People sing and drum at a memorial outside the former Kamloops Indian Residential School to honour the 215 children whose remains have been discovered buried near the facility, in Kamloops, B.C., on Monday, May 31, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
The federal government has provided the Pauquachin First Nation with more than $41 million in compensation for the historical wrong of Canada brokering a deal that caused the Indigenous community to become inaccessible by land. Pictured is the minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations, Carolyn Bennett. (Black Press Media File Photo)

Greater Victoria First Nation receives $41 million from feds for road closure deal

Payment to Pauquachin First Nation compensates for deal that cut off community

The federal government has provided the Pauquachin First Nation with more than $41 million in compensation for the historical wrong of Canada brokering a deal that caused the Indigenous community to become inaccessible by land. Pictured is the minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations, Carolyn Bennett. (Black Press Media File Photo)
Children from Penelakut led the march up Oak Street toward Waterwheel Park. (Cole Schisler photo)

More than 1,500 march in support of Penelakut First Nation after unmarked graves found

Large crowd supports families with children who never came home from residential schools

Children from Penelakut led the march up Oak Street toward Waterwheel Park. (Cole Schisler photo)
An Indigenous dancer performs in the Elbow River Camp at the Calgary Stampede in Calgary, Alta., Wednesday, July 14, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh

‘Miss the drumbeat’: Return of powwow season welcomed by First Nations

‘Everybody just wanted to powwow (to) renew their spirits and lift themselves up’

An Indigenous dancer performs in the Elbow River Camp at the Calgary Stampede in Calgary, Alta., Wednesday, July 14, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh
Songhees Nation Chief Ron Sam read the South Island First Nations’ public letter, calling for solidarity and respect and an end to vandalism in the region. (Jane Skrypnek/Black Press Media)

Vancouver Island Indigenous leaders call for unity, end to violence, vandalism in Victoria area

A Malahat Nation totem was damaged in apparent retaliation of Capt. James Cook statue teardown

Songhees Nation Chief Ron Sam read the South Island First Nations’ public letter, calling for solidarity and respect and an end to vandalism in the region. (Jane Skrypnek/Black Press Media)
Victoria Quay is located on the Somass River in Port Alberni. Also the unceded territory of the Tseshaht and Hupacasath First Nations. (AV NEWS FILE PHOTO)

Tseshaht, Hupacasath First Nations plan gathering July 1 at Victoria Quay

Island Nations will honour children lost and survivors of residential school

Victoria Quay is located on the Somass River in Port Alberni. Also the unceded territory of the Tseshaht and Hupacasath First Nations. (AV NEWS FILE PHOTO)