Indigenous reconcilliation

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)

Nadleh Whut’en delegates prepare for Vatican visit to push for residential school archives

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)
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)
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)
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)
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
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)
Serina Greene (left) and Travis Ketlo hold a sign in remembrance of four children who were found frozen to death on Jan. 1, 1937, after fleeing Lejac Residential School. (Facebook photo)

Walk for ReconciliACTION this month

Individuals invited to walk for every unmarked Indigenous child’s grave recovered

Serina Greene (left) and Travis Ketlo hold a sign in remembrance of four children who were found frozen to death on Jan. 1, 1937, after fleeing Lejac Residential School. (Facebook 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
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 Greater Victoria 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 Greater Victoria region. (Jane Skrypnek/Black Press Media)
Wenona Hall, associate professor of Indigenous Studies at the University of the Fraser Valley, with kids. (Devon Hall photography) Wenona Hall, associate professor of Indigenous Studies at UFV, with kids. (Devon Hall photography)

Canada Day as seen through an Indigenous lens

‘Canadians need to take the time to learn what it is that we are trying to reconcile’ - Wenona Hall

Wenona Hall, associate professor of Indigenous Studies at the University of the Fraser Valley, with kids. (Devon Hall photography) Wenona Hall, associate professor of Indigenous Studies at UFV, with kids. (Devon Hall photography)
CELEBRATING INDIGENOUS PEOPLES DAY Council members and witnesses from the Hupacasath First Nation, left, and Tseshaht First Nation, right, prepare to raise their respective flags in front of Port Alberni City Hall on Monday, June 21, 2021. The flags will permanently fly as part of the city’s reconciliation work. See more coverage from the flag raising ceremony on page A5. (SUSAN QUINN/ Alberni Valley News)

Vancouver Island First Nations flags to fly permanently at city hall

Addition of flags are one Port Alberni response to reconciliation

CELEBRATING INDIGENOUS PEOPLES DAY Council members and witnesses from the Hupacasath First Nation, left, and Tseshaht First Nation, right, prepare to raise their respective flags in front of Port Alberni City Hall on Monday, June 21, 2021. The flags will permanently fly as part of the city’s reconciliation work. See more coverage from the flag raising ceremony on page A5. (SUSAN QUINN/ Alberni Valley News)
Pop-up banner image