Explore Collective Magazine Articles By Topic

Browse our growing collection of articles from current and previous issues of both the Comox Valley Collective and Strathcona Collective magazines by topic.

FROM VENTURE CAPITALIST TO VINTNER

Alex Guertin is the newest proprietor of Beaufort Vineyard and Estate Winery. On a warm evening in July, he tours ...

Alex Guertin’s circuitous path to a Comox Valley vineyard.

Words by

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Photo by

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LITTLE VALLEY: AZALEE BANKS

From one nest to the next Nests are everywhere when you spend lots of time outside. My mom has a ...

Our young residents reflect on the home they’re growing up in

Words by

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Photo by

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LISTEN TO THE WHISPER

Nestled among the trees on Cortes Island is Hollyhock, gently nurturing the ancient lands of the Klahoose, ...

Self-discovery at hollyhock retreat centre.

Words by

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Drawn to the Water

My draw to the water started at the age of 17. My stepfather owned a tugboat company just outside Victoria, and he ...

Documenting coastal mariners.

Words by

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FEATURED PHOTOGRAPHER: CHUCK BURDICK

Chuck Burdick is a self-taught photographer working in multiple genres including macro, landscape, and abstract ...

The Heriot Bay Inn

WORDS BY LOIS TAYLOR, TRACY SINCLAIR, & JUANITA MACLEAN PHOTOS BY CARLA DUFFEY Established in 1895 by Mr. ...

Where ghosts, custodians, and community gather.

FEATURED ARTIST: SARAH CLARK

As a creative generalist working in an array of art practices, Sarah Clark is less interested in becoming an ...

CAMP ROAD SPECIAL

It was late summer when my husband and I first rolled into Cumberland in our old Ford pickup. The year was 1996 ...

Putting down roots in a place where people and stories live.

Words by

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Exploring the Roots of Midwifery

There is a mystery that surrounds pregnancy and birth—a real sense of wonder. Cross-culturally, the practice of ...

A midwife’s reflections.

Words by

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WHY WITCHCRAFT?

Many witches, including myself, when asked how and why we became witches, will answer that they didn’t become a ...

Modern witchcraft and how it may be able to help heal the planet.

Words & Photo by

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FEATURED ARTIST: BRIAN JESSOP

RAFTING THE ALSEK

A remote journey in search of scenery and self.

Words & Artwork by

Tracy Kobus

Photos by

Malcolm Johnson

ON A HUMBLE SCALE

An ordinary stormwater retention pond turns out to be remarkable, indeed.

Words by

Mac Newton

Photos by

Lorenz Jimenez

COMOX VALLEY STARGAZING

How to explore space from your own backyard.

Words & photo by

Sara Kempner

PROTECTING PERSEVERANCE

Racing against time to protect a vital piece of nature.

Words by

Meaghan Cursons

Featured photo by

Meredith Rose

BRINGING BACK THE BYGONE

By restoring vintage furniture, we pay homage to the craftsperson, and to the forest which provided the raw material.

Words by

Dave Nowak

Photos by

Meredith Rose

A BEGINNER’S GUIDE TO GREEN BURIAL

It’s better to burn out than to fade away? Not always. New alternatives to cremation allow bodies to return to the earth naturally.

Words by

Madeline Christie

Featured photo by

Sita Then

THE EVOLUTION OF BANNOCK

This delicious, iconic food is both a staple of life and a symbol of Indigenous persistence.

Words by

Lyndsey Bell

Photos by

Jennifer Brazil

ROCK BEATS WATER

For climbers, the attraction of Comox Lake has always been the cliffs.

Words by

Ryan Stuart

Featured photo by

Sara Kempner

ON THE UPSWING

Words by

Jen Groundwater

Photo by

Scott Bell

THE MCLOUGHLIN GARDENS

A summer cottage becomes a place to dream and create.

Words by

Kerry Hale

Featured photo by

Susan Healy

LITTLE VALLEY: TOWNES BLUE

Our young residents reflect on the home they’re growing up in.

Words by

Townes Blue, Age 12

Photo by

Jenn Pentland

TOWARD A MORE LIVABLE VALLEY

Comox Valley Coalition to End Homelessness combines compassion and action.

Words by

RJ Herron

Photo by

Jenn Dykstra

What is in a Story?

Words by

Nicole Berns

Photos by

Sara Kempner

Tot farming

Words by

Brittany Baxandall

Photos by

Shayla Attfield

Art+Earth

Moving Forward, Exploring Relationships, And Facing Challenges Together.

Words by

Ken Blackburn

Photos by

Nycky-Jay Vanjecek

Honouring Medicine and Pagan Traditions

Introducing the Family and Animals of Standing Spruce Farm & Apothecary

Words by

Lesley Assu

Photos by

Nycky-Jay Vanjecek

Aromatic, Craveable, and Savoury

Fermentation Adds Value to Our Community.

Words & Photos by

Brandon Pirie

Steel Wool Photography

How to Create Eye-catching Creative Photos

Words & Photos by

Bob Wild

Moutcha Bay Resort

A Natural Haven for the Savvy Local Traveler

Words by

Erin Brizard

Photos by

Michael Hack

Carving a Niche

Chris Zumkeller’s Journey as a Craftsman

Words by

Chris Zumkeller

Photos by

Hayley Zumkeller

Innovation in Education

The Magic of the Carihi Fly Fishing Program.

Words by

Nic Pisterzi

Photos by

Eiko Jones

Cries of the Wild

Revisiting the History of Mount Cain’s Glissade Culture

Words by

Neil Borecky

Photos by

Kimberley Kufaas

Writing a New Narrative

Wildflowers & Co. Founder Alissa Assu Inspires the Future of Indigenous Women In Business

Words by

Alissa Assu

Photos by

Kimberley Kufaas

Little River

Our Young Residents Reflect on the Home They’re Growing Up in

Words by

Madison Lucas

Photos by

Francesca Lott

For the Love of Flying

Words & Photos by

Bastian Fleury

Words by

Carly Caron

Guardian, Steward, and Watchkeeper

Restoring the Balance of Physical and Cultural Sustenance for Future Generations

Words by

Vicki Simmons

Photos By

Tom Parker

This Ain’t the Mainland

Island Kids Have Tougher Feet

Words by

Marina Scott

Photos by

Deelia Nelson

Pointing the Bow North

A Coastal Sailing And Snowboarding Adventure

Words by

Kayleen Vanderee

Photos by

Abby Cooper

The Future is Digital

Adversity Sparks Creative Innovation At Campbell River’s Tidemark Theatre

Words by

Alison Bell

Photos by

Tidemark Theatre

River Magic

The Watery Highway Of Life On The North Island

Words by

Lorna Seldon-Burd

Photos by

Moira Le Patourel

REIMAGINING REGIONAL RECREATION

Four local governments working together for better parks and recreation management? It could be a reality very soon.

Words by

Andrew Findlay

Photos by

Sara Kempner

LEARNING LANGUAGE; BUILDING COMMUNITY

NIC’s Indigenous language courses help students bring Kwak’wala into their day-to-day lives.

Words by

Elizabeth Young

Photos by

Island Life Photographics

LIFTING THE FOG

How a Valley-based program is helping people overcome anxiety and depression.

Words by

Jen Groundwater

Photo by

Jarrett Lindal

FREE THE LAWNS!

The front lines of food production, coming to a neighbourhood near you.

Words by

James McKerricher

Featured photo by

Jenn Dykstra

IT’S NOT ABOUT THE MONEY

At SOS Gear, every sale helps save lives.

Words by

Ryan Stuart

Photo by

Jenn Dykstra

GETTING HIGH ON VANCOUVER ISLAND

Singing the praises of our unique alpine environment.

Words & Photo by

Shane Johnson

SAILING FORTH

A thirst for adventure, a boat of her own, and the Salish Sea as her playground.

Words by

Judith Wright

Featured photo by

Jenn Dykstra