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.

FOSSIL FASCINATION

It is a universal truth, I think, that the further you move through adulthood, the more you’re aware that life is ...

The Comox Valley has many ancient secrets for citizen palaeontologists to discover.

Words by

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Photos provided by

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A WORK OF COMPASSION

Since 1983, Comox Valley Hospice Society (CVHS) has been working to support the physical, psychological, ...

The Comox Valley Hospice Society (CVHS) marks its 40th anniversary of care.

ECHOES IN CHINATOWN

At Cumberland Chinatown’s peak in the years just after the end of World War I, around 1500 residents bustled down ...

How exclusion, discrimination, and racism took their toll on a thriving community.

Words by

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CREATING SPACE FOR TRADITIONS, OLD AND NEW

At its root, tradition is the sharing of stories. Perhaps our oldest tradition is exactly that: storytelling. ...

Intro by

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THE ART OF DRYING FLOWERS

The practice of pressing and drying flowers and herbs dates back centuries and is part of many Indigenous cultures ...

A fusion of Indigenous heritage and modern artistry is a way to keep memories forever.

Words by

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FALLING IN LOVE WITH FUNGI

“Fungi make worlds. They also unmake them. There are lots of ways to catch them in the act. When you cook mushroom ...

The Cumberland Fungus Fest celebrates the marvellous multitaskers of the natural world.

Words by

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THE NEXT RIGHT THING

My husband and I sometimes travelled with our kids when they were tiny. If we ever stayed in a motel, we would ...

Intro by

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REMARKABLY UNSINKABLE

It was April 1912 when Hilda Mary Slayter packed her travel trunk with an elegant trousseau in preparation for her ...

Denman Island’s Hilda Slayter Lacon was a stalwart survivor of multiple disasters.

Words by

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THE FUTURE IS BRIGHT

Paige Whitehead was 13 years old when she saw bioluminescence for the first time, during a midnight dip in the ...

Paige Whitehead is going beyond glow sticks to disrupt an entire toxic industry.

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BRIDGING THE ART/TECH GAP

Did you know that in the heart of Courtenay, a local recording studio—decked out with audio and video gear, and ...

The Comox Valley Digital Creation Hub: a new resource for local creatives.

Words by

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GREY TURNED GREEN

Comox, British Columbia, tops the list of Best Communities to Live in Canada 2040.

Words by

Ryan Stuart

Photo by

Luke Phillips

MORE THAN KUS-KUS-SUM

Project Watershed is using a federal grant to restore the salmon highway: the Salish Sea's nearshore habitat.

Words by

Jennifer Sutherst

Dan Bowen

THROUGH THE VENEER

Getting creative in the place between water and air, where the perspective is elastic and welcoming.

Words & photo by

Lisa Graham

EAT YOUR MEDICINE

On a mission to teach all kids that healthy food can taste great.

Words by

Shannon Simpson

Photos by

Meredith Rose

MOVING THROUGH CHANGE

Words by

Jen Groundwater

Photo by

Allan Sawchuck

ON SMOKING AND PICKLING

SIMPLE PRESERVATION TECHNIQUES PROVIDE FOOD SECURITY—AND FLAVOUR.

Words by

Darren Howlett

Photos by

Jennifer Brazil

INFLUENZA’S DEADLY TRAIL

At the close of World War I, the so-called Spanish flu claimed lives all over the world, even in the Comox Valley.

Words by

Dawn Copeman

Photo courtesy of

The Cumberland Firehall

THE BEAUTY OF THE BURN

Buddhist wisdom tells us that pain is inevitable, but suffering is optional. Try telling your body that.

Words & Photo by

Sarah Seads

THE SUSPENSE WON’T KILL US

COVID-19 has changed global tourism forever. Here on the island, local operators and residents need to imagine a new future for the industry.

Words by

Andrew Findlay

Photo by

Kat Craats

ALL FIRED UP

Award-winning potter Gordon Hutchens may be in his seventies, but he’s still got plenty of clay to shape, students to teach, and ideas to pursue.

Words & Photo by

Trish Weatherall

Photo by

Scott Bell

PLAYING WITH FIRE

On a hot summer day in 1938, a few sparks from a locomotive caused Vancouver Island’s largest blaze.

Words by

Christa Petch

Photos provided by

Courtenay and District Museum

COURTENAY AFTER COVID

Twenty years after the pandemic, a local historian looks back.

Words by

Ryan Stuart

Photo by

Jenn Dykstra

DRAWN TO THE FLAMES

Because our personal relationship with fire is a cautious one, we love the excitement of fire shows.

Words by

Lisa Hamilton

Photo by

Ali Marie Parker

ART, A HARVEST, AND A BLESSING

Public Place / Sacred Space leaves a meaningful legacy in downtown Courtenay.

Words by

Spencer Sheehan-Kalina

Photo by

Alun Macanulty

SWEAT IT OUT

Bathing in the benefits of hot-cold rituals.

Words by

Bevin Clempson

Photo by

Jenn Dykstra

VERACITY OF THE VESPIDS

Wasps are a family of insects truly to be loathed. Or are they?

Words by

Neil Borecky

Photo by

Curtis Parker

PUTTING THE SUN TO WORK

Vancouver Island’s first Passive House Plus is healthful, comfortable, beautiful—and costs nothing to heat.

Words by

John Gower

Photos by

Luke Phillips

FORGED IN TOUGH TIMES

Words by

Jen Groundwater

Photo by

Kyle Hansen

Small Town, Big Music Scene

What you not know about the Sayward Valley Folk Music Society

Words by

Bob Sampson

Photos by

David Stevenson

Haig-Brown Writer in Residence Program

A place of welcome and inspiration on the banks of Campbell River.

Words By

Ken Blackburn

Words By

Sandra Parrish

Freedom, Flexibility, and Adventure

Enjoying the region in an unconventional way.

Words By

Daniela Bizama

Photo By

Reuben Mills

Born Wild

Meet Matt Ravai, The Oudoorsman.

Words By

Nicole Bertram

Article Photo By

Jenn Dykstra

Finding Connection, Nourishing Community

One family's renewed commitment to celebrating food, family, and friends.

Words By

Carmen Amberson

Photos By

Erin Wallis

Braving The Storm

Surfing wind waves during winter is not for the light-hearted.

Words By

Trevor Blasky

Photos By

Pat Salamon

Little River

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

Words By

Jonah E. Richter

Photo By

Jess Cavanagh

Small But Mighty

Meet one of Campbell River's community builders.

Words By

Sophia Sauter

Photos By

Alex McIntosh

From Tater Tots to Full-Fledged Foodie

How an inedible childhood cultivated a Campbell River chef.

Words By

Amber Assu

Photos By

Sierra Assu

A Very True Story

My grizzly attack and run of exceptionally good luck.

Words By

Colin Dowler

Photo By

Jenn Dykstra

Always A Rock in my Pocket

Transforming the way we look at simple, everyday objects.

Words By

Julie Glaspy

Photos By

Vince Kehn

Featured Photographer: Moira Le Patourel

Helping people help others for over 30 years.

Words By

Craig Gillis

Laurel Cronk

An Aerial Perspective

Seeing the forest and the trees without leaving the ground.

Words & Photo By

Colin Filliter

Exploring West

Thirty-five kilometer of trail, six friends, six backpacks, four days, three nights, and one impromptu adventure.

Words & Photo By

Laurel Sliskovic

If Dogs Could Talk

The Adventures of Cole and Archie.

Words By

Mary Ruth Snyder

Photo By

Hayley Zumkeller

A Hiługwila for Mia

Ceremony, Heart, Tradition, and Family.

Words By

Sara Lopez Assu

Photos By

Nycky-Jay Vanjecek

COVID DISCOVERIES