First Nations

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
The drone is autonomous which means it flies automatically between landing sites. (UBC photo)

B.C. First Nation medical supply drone project sets groundwork to expand

The idea is to build a model that can be replicated across B.C. and Canada

The drone is autonomous which means it flies automatically between landing sites. (UBC photo)
Scott Harrison visits the PQB News/Vancouver Island Daily studios. (Peter McCully photo)

PODCAST: Vancouver Islander talks about how and why he donated a kidney

Qualicum Beach Coun. Scott Harrison talks about helping Qualicum First Nation Chief Michael Recalma

Scott Harrison visits the PQB News/Vancouver Island Daily studios. (Peter McCully photo)
Nuchatlaht First Nation Judae Smith, left, yelps as a wave splashes the team during a marine mammal refloatation exercise at Cox Bay last week. (Nora O’Malley photo)

All hands on deck near Tofino for training session on how to save beached whales

DFO teams up with Coastal First Nations and area marine mammal experts for learning session

Nuchatlaht First Nation Judae Smith, left, yelps as a wave splashes the team during a marine mammal refloatation exercise at Cox Bay last week. (Nora O’Malley photo)
Lejac residential school on the shore of Fraser Lake. (National Centre for Truth and Reconcilation photo)

Nadleh Whut’en First Nation outlines priorities for Vatican meeting with Pope Francis

Chief and Council offer prayers and support for all delegates to the Vatican

Lejac residential school on the shore of Fraser Lake. (National Centre for Truth and Reconcilation photo)
The artifact appears to be a war club. Photo, K’ómoks First Nation

B.C. First Nation applauds man who found Indigenous artifact in his yard

Object seems to be a war club and has found a home with K’ómoks First Nation

The artifact appears to be a war club. Photo, K’ómoks First Nation
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. (CPAC)

Prime Minister to visit Williams Lake First Nation, weeks after residential school findings

WLFN will discuss the St. Joseph’s Mission Residential School investigation with Trudeau

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. (CPAC)
Frost Lake Logging President Scott Kirschke, Nadleh Whut’en Chief Larry Nooski, Macro Pipelines part-owner Jeff Redmond and Coastal GasLink pipeline implementation west director Dan Bierd break ground for the Nadleh-Macro pipeline construction partnership on March 17 at Lejac. (Photo by Michael Bramadat-Willcock/Omineca Express)

PHOTOS: B.C. First Nation breaks ground on Coastal GasLink pipeline partnership

Indigenous joint venture gets prime contract for section 5 of the pipeline from north of Vanderhoof to south of Burns Lake

Frost Lake Logging President Scott Kirschke, Nadleh Whut’en Chief Larry Nooski, Macro Pipelines part-owner Jeff Redmond and Coastal GasLink pipeline implementation west director Dan Bierd break ground for the Nadleh-Macro pipeline construction partnership on March 17 at Lejac. (Photo by Michael Bramadat-Willcock/Omineca Express)
A stone monument overlooking Loon Bay near the Royal Victoria Yacht Club is among those referencing pre-contact history in Oak Bay. The district gathered data on all its monuments and language in preparation for potential review. (Christine van Reeuwyk/News Staff)

Oak Bay compiles data on First Nations references across the landscape

Historic monuments referencing local First Nations to be reviewed at some point

A stone monument overlooking Loon Bay near the Royal Victoria Yacht Club is among those referencing pre-contact history in Oak Bay. The district gathered data on all its monuments and language in preparation for potential review. (Christine van Reeuwyk/News Staff)
A rider carries her speed down a trail reinforced by rocks in the Simpcw trail network. (Paul Masukowitz photo)

First Nation in central B.C. to host 1st-ever Allies Mountain Bikes Festival

Festival will include mountain biking, culture, films will be first of its kind

A rider carries her speed down a trail reinforced by rocks in the Simpcw trail network. (Paul Masukowitz photo)
The Ahousaht First Nation is asking the District of Tofino to adopt a new bylaw restricting hard liquor sales at beer and wine stores. (Black Press Media file photo)

Ahousaht First Nation urges Tofino to limit alcohol sales to battle bootleggers

“No one really imagined what kind of a pandemic and state of emergency we really are in”

The Ahousaht First Nation is asking the District of Tofino to adopt a new bylaw restricting hard liquor sales at beer and wine stores. (Black Press Media file photo)
A sacred fire was held Sunday, Feb. 27 in Williams Lake to honour the lives of people who recently lost their lives. (Monica Lamb-Yorski photo - Williams Lake Tribune)

Sacred fire lit after overdoses claim 3 lives over 4 days in Tsilhqot’in Nation

“It has been very hard on communities,” said Joyce Cooper of the Tsilhqot’in Women’s Council

A sacred fire was held Sunday, Feb. 27 in Williams Lake to honour the lives of people who recently lost their lives. (Monica Lamb-Yorski photo - Williams Lake Tribune)
Meet some of the new team at Naa’Waiya’Summ Indigenous Coastal Gardens: Tessa Ma, Ian Enns, Miles Steven, and Vania Bowman. (Nora O’Malley photo)

Tofino Botanical Gardens changes hands, MakeWay Canada takes ownership

10-acre property is now an Indigenous Protected and Conserved Area (IPCA) Innovation Centre

Meet some of the new team at Naa’Waiya’Summ Indigenous Coastal Gardens: Tessa Ma, Ian Enns, Miles Steven, and Vania Bowman. (Nora O’Malley photo)
Qualicum First Nations chief Michael Recalma is grateful for Qualicum Beach councillor Scott Harrison (inset) for donating his kidney to him. (Submitted photo)

B.C. town councillor to donate kidney to Qualicum First Nation Chief

‘I really can’t express the feeling, because it’s such a gift and a sacrifice’

Qualicum First Nations chief Michael Recalma is grateful for Qualicum Beach councillor Scott Harrison (inset) for donating his kidney to him. (Submitted photo)
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)
Tsideldel First Nation councillor and Central Chilcotin Rehabilitation (CCR) director Percy Guichon, left, and Tsi Del Del Enterprises Ltd. forester Danny Strobbe are excited about CCR’s trial project using drones to seed forests devastated by wildfires. (Monica Lamb-Yorski photo - Williams Lake Tribune)

First Nations look to reforest northern B.C. areas destroyed in wildfires with drone pilot

Central Chilcotin Rehabilitation has seeded 52 hectares burned in the White Lake wildfire

Tsideldel First Nation councillor and Central Chilcotin Rehabilitation (CCR) director Percy Guichon, left, and Tsi Del Del Enterprises Ltd. forester Danny Strobbe are excited about CCR’s trial project using drones to seed forests devastated by wildfires. (Monica Lamb-Yorski photo - Williams Lake Tribune)
A fixture atop Mount Tzouhalem for many years, some wonder about the appropriateness of the monument now. (Jared Qwustenuxun Williams photo)

Landmark cross mysteriously reappears on Cowichan mountaintop months after vandalism

No one has claimed responsibility for the unauthorised monument

A fixture atop Mount Tzouhalem for many years, some wonder about the appropriateness of the monument now. (Jared Qwustenuxun Williams photo)
Nechako River in Vanderhoof, B.C. (Aman Parhar/Omineca Express)

First Nations to appeal B.C. Supreme Court ruling on damages to Nechako River

First Nations to appeal B.C. Supreme Court ruling on Nechako River and fisheries to hold Rio Tinto Alcan mining company accountable for damages

Nechako River in Vanderhoof, B.C. (Aman Parhar/Omineca Express)
First Nations’ Emergency Services Society members Dean Colthorp, left, and Reo Jerome pose beside the truck donated to the society Feb. 1 by Esquimalt Fire Rescue. Fire Chief Steve Serbic stands on the engine. (Jake Romphf/News Staff)

Esquimalt fire donates engine to help train First Nation departments across B.C.

Truck to be used to build firefighters’ skills, enable better community protection in emergencies

First Nations’ Emergency Services Society members Dean Colthorp, left, and Reo Jerome pose beside the truck donated to the society Feb. 1 by Esquimalt Fire Rescue. Fire Chief Steve Serbic stands on the engine. (Jake Romphf/News Staff)
Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada closes recreational salmon fishing in the Skeena River watershed, including the Bulkley River. (Contributed Photo)

Northwest B.C. First Nations outraged by Alaskan interception of salmon

Gitxsan, Gitanyow, and Wet’suwet’en call on government to protect constitutional fishing rights

Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada closes recreational salmon fishing in the Skeena River watershed, including the Bulkley River. (Contributed Photo)
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