Young dancer initiated On Sunday, 13-year old Trevor Penner, stood at the edge of the Taylor arena waiting. As a circle of drummers beat on one large drum, singing together, Josh Matwiy stood with him, ready to accompany Penner through his initiation into pow wow. “It means a lot to me because I’ll be recognized […]
Features
Caribou calves give hope for dwindling population
A caribou maternal penning project in northeastern B.C. has seen the numbers of a herd increase from just 16 animals to over 50, three years after the program began. I spoke with Harley Davis, a Saulteau keeper of the caribou, and Roland Willson, chief of the West Moberly First Nation. Saulteau and West Moberly manage […]
Vaisakhi celebration starts well before the parade
Youth at the Guru Nanak Darbar Sikh temple in Prince George spend the week leading up to Vaisakhi at the temple, learning from Bhai Harinder Singh. Singh travels from England with his band to lead worship and preach in the week leading up to the Vaisakhi parade. Elders at the Prince George temple are glad for his influence […]
Indigenous doula collective to support mother-centred birth care in B.C.
‘For Indigenous people, birth is supposed to be a ceremony,’ says doula from Squamish Nation A woman from the Squamish Nation is leading a resurgence of mother-centred birth care in B.C. by helping start a new Indigenous doula collective which aims to support women in the powerful experience of giving birth. “For Indigenous people, birth […]
Women in aviation work to change gender imbalance
Aircraft mechanic Kelly Lamarche rummages through her old, blue toolbox filled with a mishmash of screwdrivers, ratchets and flexible wrenches. It was in this small, old helicopter hangar – which her dad has owned since she was about six months old – that Lamarche first considered a career in aviation. One day, while with her […]
The business of knitting
Hipsters do it. Students do it. Boys do it. Activists do it. Lovers of sustainability do it. The nooks and the crannies of Vancouver are united in their love of knitting. Experts praise the mental health benefits from knitting. The Vancouver School Board has promoted its’ success in helping a kindergarten student work through his […]
All-Star Wrestling
The story of Melvin Berry, an aspiring fighter at the All Star Wrestling league out of Surrey, B.C.
Changing Their Fate: A Movement Among India’s Untouchables
Kumar Swamy speaks confidently to a large crowd of wealthy Canadians. Wearing a sharp white dress shirt and sport coat, he fits right in with these business owners, professionals and teachers. He could easily be part of their circles. But he’s telling a story of a different life, as a boy from a Dalit background. […]
Colombian coffee: getting the best cup
“I’m going to be famous in America!” Hernan Fernandez jokes as we take his picture in front of his sprawling coffee farm, La Meseta, in the small province of Antioquia, Colombia. “My picture will be plastered on a wall somewhere, and I’ll just be here in my muddy boots with my coffee.” He’s not complaining, […]