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.

SEA LION SOLILOQUY

I’ve got to tell you. The first time I caught a glimpse of her, I did a double take. I had been travelling up the ...

A poetic young pinniped and the art of storytelling.

Words by

Photos by

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Engineering a new life at Surf Side Fungus Farm

In January 2024, the words “gourmet mushrooms” hadn’t left the noisy confines of my brain. By 2025, Surf Side ...

How to quit your day job

Words by

Photos by

Feeding Futures School Food Programs

Consistent access to nutritious food is essential for children to thrive. Yet Canada is the only G7 country ...

Yes, there can be a free lunch

Words by

Photos by

Art and loss

On December 25, 2011, my life changed in a car accident caused by a distracted driver and icy road conditions. My ...

How individual practice and community engagement aid in the process of healing

Words & photos by

Karaoke. Why?

In the great spectrum of performative singing, karaoke falls somewhere between singing along with the car radio ...

Because it’s damn fun to belt out a banger in public.

Words by

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Photos by

EMERGING ARTIST – TENLEY PRATT

Macramé and moreMy name is Tenley Pratt and I am fourteen years old. I have always loved to create art. I ...

A young fibre artist/entrepreneur explores her creative possibilities

Words by

Photos by

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Campbell River’s shifting trail running culture

The first time I saw Bob Wall, he was in the middle of a forest run to who knows where. It was winter, one of ...

The joy in being out there

Words by

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Photos by

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The World Through the Eyes and Soul of the Poet

Instructions for Living a Life: Pay attention. Be astonished. Tell about it. –Mary Oliver, ...

The world needs more poets

Words by

Illustration by

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Get Lost!

An invitation to a deeper knowledge.I have been completely lost by accident a handful of times: in a new ...

Editor's introduction to Vol. 11

Words by

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Photo by

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When Roads were Roads

Dear Townspeople,You’ve probably seen me around town before. I’m everyone’s favourite stretch of asphalt. The ...

A Satirical Look at How Ryan Road is Resisting Change

Words by

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Photos Courtesy of

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LITTLE RIVER: MADISON LUCAS

Reflections from a younger resident

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

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

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