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.

Little River: Clementine & Pepper Wiltsie

We used to live in Cumberland when we were little. It was fun! We would walk to our friends' houses to play. One ...

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

Words by

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Photo courtesy of

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Discovering Ancient Coastal Migration Patterns

Ancient DNA (aDNA). The term immediately brings to mind visions of dinosaurs, ancient civilizations, megafauna, ...

The Hakai Institute’s new ancient DNA lab opens on Quadra Island.

Words by

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Photos courtesy of

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The Journey is the Gift

PHOTOS COURTESY OF KATHLEEN O’REILLY & FAMILY My husband, Michael (Mick) Taylor, was an avid traveller, ...

Finding Mick Taylor’s forever place.

Words by

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BOW HUNTING: A MULTI-GENERATIONAL LIFETIME OF LESSONS

Adam Swift has been bow hunting and fishing on the West Coast since he was a kid growing up in Campbell River. “My ...

Raising daughters to appreciate nature through conservation.

Words by

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Opening photo by

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CREATING COMMUNITY BY THE KEG-LOAD

It takes a special kind of person to teach. If you're teaching in the public school system, you're likely signing ...

The family legacy behind the North Island Craft Beer Festival.

Words by

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Photos by

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UNCOVERING THE MYSTERIES OF TWIN ISLANDS

Twin Islands, tucked against Cortes Island’s southeast shore, has been a haven for a fascinating cast of ...

Stories from Sheltering in the Backrush.

Words by

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Photos courtesy of

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ANODIZED DOWNHILL DAYS

The year was 1990. On the steep, raw edge of a Mount Washington ski slope, summer wildflowers stood in stark ...

Local downhill and enduro racers fit right into the Valley’s monster mountain bike heritage.

Words by

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Photo by

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GIVE BEETS A CHANCE

I’m writing these words in the height of summer, when I barely have enough time to juice a cucumber. But it will ...

This slow, easy technique makes their rich, sweet, earthy flavour even better.

Words by

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Photo by

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THE SEA AS MUSE

Nature, specifically the ocean, has long been the undercurrent of photographer and sailor John Kelsey’s life. It’s ...

Conserving the coastline with photographer John Kelsey.

Words by

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Photos courtesy of

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A DECADE OF DUELLING RÉSUMÉS

Seated in one of my college classrooms, I received an email from Canada Olympic Park—a confirmation that I would ...

My Path to Vancouver Island’s snowy slopes.

Words by

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Photo by

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WELCOME TO HISTORIC CUMBERLAND

The newly renovated Cumberland Museum offers more stories and more points of view.

Words by

Dawn Copeman

Photo by

Sara Kempner

GET AWAY TO GOLD RIVER

Sure, it’s the gateway to Nootka Sound. But for outdoor lovers, Gold River is a treasure in its own right.

Words by

Anita Lawrence

Featured photo by

Dave Prothero

SOMEWHERE DOWN THE LAZY RIVER

Floating down the Puntledge is the ultimate summer vibe.

Words by

Salinas Laperriere

Photos by

Jan Wilderom

BEYOND FARMING FOOD

How one local’s getting creative with her land.

Words by

Bevin Clempson

Photos by

Sara Kempner

CUMBERLAND, A TINY-TOAD SUPERHIGHWAY

Small but mighty western toads have places to go, and we need to help them get there.

Words by

Annabelle Sproule

Photos by

Maxwel Hohn

THE FUTURE LOOKS TASTY

Deep Bay’s new Centre For Seafood Innovation connects local seafood producers with greater markets.

Words by

Dave Flawse

Photos courtesy of

The Centre for Seafood Innovation

RECHARGED AND READY

Words by

Jen Groundwater

Photo by

Jenn Dykstra

SCENES FROM CVAG, 2020

An invitation to enter the Comox Valley Art Gallery, where art and community intersect.

Words by

Glen Sanford

Featured photo by

Kyle Little

LEAVING OLD ENMITIES BEHIND

Sifting through his family’s hatred for Japan, Mac Newton finds room for empathy.

Words by

Mac Newton

Photos courtesy of

Cumberland Museum & Archives

SMASHING BARRIERS WITH SIP

Local organization aims to empower wheelchair users with the wonder of whitewater.

Words by

Haeley Dewhirst

Photos by

Dave Prothero

ART AND MENTORSHIP IN THE 21ST CENTURY

With family guidance, a young Indigenous artist expands her practice.

Words by

Keisha Everson

Featured photo by

Zac Whyte

…And three other fantastic sewage lagoons to see before you die.

Words by

Jason Straka

Photo by

Jenn Pentland

LITTLE VALLEY: OLIVIA KLASSEN

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

Words by

Olivia Klassen

Photo by

Anna Rambow

PEDDLERS OF DELICIOUSNESS

Local food trucks do more than serve quick and tasty food. They help connect the community.

Words by

James McKerricher

Photos by

Sara Kempner

SECOND CHANCES

Hunting nearly emptied the Salish Sea of whales. Many species are returning—but they’re still at risk.

Words by

Trish Weatherall

Photo courtesy of

Eagle Eye Adventures

FROM DARKNESS TO LIGHT

Comox Valley Head Injury Society helps people with acquired brain injury walk the path toward recovery.

Photo by

Jenn Dykstra

SUPERSONIC MEMORIES

Tour the Comox Air Force Museum with a former Canadian Forces fighter pilot.

Words by

Rick Zyvitski

Featured photo by

Sara Kerr

THE RISE OF GRIND

Gravel bikes are bringing rhythm and cadence off the road and back into the wilderness.

Words by

Mike B.

Photos by

Roanne English

PERCEPTIONS, PREJUDICE, AND PRIDE

A small-town boy reflects on coming out in the Comox Valley.

Words by

Sam Peterson

Photo by

Jenn Dykstra

THE SEASONS OF BEES

The art and science of beekeeping.

Words by

Wendi Gilson

Photo by

Mike LeBlanc

THE NATURE CURE

The Comox Valley isn’t just a pretty place—it can heal what ails you.

Words by

Shawn Peters

Photo by

Sara Kempner

PLANTING FARMERS

Land-matching program nurtures the next generation.

Words by

Ryan Stuart

Photos by

Sarah Wilson

RENEWAL AND COMMUNITY: A COLLECTIVE LOVE LETTER

Words by

Jen Groundwater

Photo by

Jennifer Brazil

Falling on Concrete Builds Character

A generation of skateboarding culture on Quadra Island

Words by

Alison Bell

Photos by

Carla Duffey

Hooked on Tyee Dreams

Embarking on my maiden voyage

Words by

Claire Pomeroy

Photos by

Michael Hack

Colourful Splendour in the Emerald Sea

Seeing the forest and the trees without leaving the ground.

Words and Photos by

Eiko Jones

Raising Backyard Birds

A wonderful, rustic addition to backyards of all sizes

Words by

Maria Fyfe

Photos by

Alison Dawn

Don’t Look, SEE

Responding to the legacy of Sybil Andrews

Words by

Jenelle M. Pasiechnik

Photos by

Museum at Campbell River

Little River

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

Words by

Annabel Ludwig

Words by

Brynlee Ludwig

Damn, I Wish I Walked

A life on foot with Chris Barner

Words by

Nicole Berns

Photos by

Paul Rydeen

Focusing My Glass Eye

Gibson James teaches glassblowing.

Words by

Gibson James

Photos by

Carla Duffey

The Moods of Myra

Exploring the falls in all her seasons

Words & Photos by

Michael Hack

Strathcona Park Lodge and Outdoor Education Centre

A truly Canadian story

Words by

Catherine Gilbert

Photos by

Myrna Boulding

Sea & Field

Home is a small bistro nestled amongst the mountains

Words by

Lisa Meekin

Photos by

Tyrah Bluhen

Learning My Truth

Indigenous tourism as the gateway for reconciliation

Words by

Chyanne Trenholm

Photos by

Indigenous Tourism BC

Paddle Away From It All

A kayaker’s retreat in Blackfish Sound

Words by

Melissa Wickihalder

Photos by

Spirit of the West

Featured Photographer: Vince Kehn