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.

FEATURED PHOTOGRAPHER: KALI WEXLER

Born and raised on Hornby Island, Kali Wexler is a self-taught Canadian wildlife conservation and nature ...

FEATURED ARTIST: JARED POPESCU

Jared was born and raised in Saskatchewan but spent his adult life in various pockets of British Columbia before ...

AN UPDATE ON STORIES FROM VOLUME 1

The Comox Valley has undergone some big changes since we published our first issue back in December 2014; many of ...

Plus ça change

Words by

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Illustrations by

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BEAUTY BEFORE AMBITION

When I catch up with concert pianist Sarah Hagen, she is sitting on the floor of an airport concourse, halfway ...

Pianist Sarah Hagen has earned her place among the best without sacrificing her soul.

Words by

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Photo by

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THE ILLUMINATION OF FIRE

In October 2023, I had the chance to speak with Wedlidi Speck. Wedlidi is Kwakwaka’wakw, Nuu-cha-nulth, and ...

A conversation with Wedlidi Speck.

Interview by

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Photos courtesy of

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HARD-SKINNED FOR THE WIN

I’m here to talk about winter squash: the wondrous genetic diversity they display, the dedicated farmers who grow ...

Living in a winter squash lovers' paradise.

Words by

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Photos by

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INGRAHAM

I was asked to share my story with you, and to keep it short at that. Bit of a hard ask for an old clock, but I’ll ...

The secret life of a vintage clock.

Words by

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Photo by

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GUYS TALKING

Men’s broadly defined health issues—heart troubles, diabetes, liver disease—are deadly. So is depression. Many of ...

The power of conversation in Comox Valley men’s groups.

Words by

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Illustration by

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40 YEARS OF VOLLY PATROL

Paul Vroom grew up on Vancouver’s North Shore, ripping the slopes of Mt. Seymour. As a kid, he loved hanging out ...

Some dedicated folks who help keep the rest of us safe on the slopes.

Words by

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Photos by

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COMOX VALLEY TRANSITION SOCIETY

Comox Valley Transition Society (CVTS) was founded in 1987 by a group of caring community members concerned that ...

Safe, affordable housing makes all the difference.

Photos by

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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: Jonah E. Richter

Reflections from a younger resident

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

COVID MOMENTS

Reflections on going with the flow with a young family in this unusual time

Words by

Christa Petch

COMOX VALLEY SCHOOLS AND CORONAVIRUS

Pivoting with compassion

COLLABORATING AGAINST COVID-19

NATION OF STAIRS

Dogs, donkeys, and other delights of trekking in Nepal.

Words by

Finn Manktelow

Photos by

Kip Manktelow

THE EGG EQUATION

Not all eggs are created equal—here’s some straight-up clucking about which ones are best.

Words by

Bevin Clempson

Photo by

Jennifer Brazil

EASY, BREEZY E-BIKES

Rad new rides give biking a boost.

Words & photo by

Dave Prothero

LITTLE VALLEY: SAM GOLDBY

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

Words by

Sam Goldby

FED UP NO MORE

Edible Island and the evolution of alternative eating in the Comox Valley.

Words by

Mike Redican

Photos courtesy of

Susan Holvenstot

FEATURED ARTIST: JO PAYNE