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.

Telling the stories of Cumberland

Cumberland Museum & Archives Executive Director Rosslyn (Rozz) Shipp and longtime museum sponsor Raymond Heung ...

One village, many histories

Words by

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Illustration by

CEDAR BARK WEAVER

At only 18 years old, Mahatta Price has already worked with cedar bark for more than half her life. Her interest ...

Traditional techniques, patience, and care go into Mahatta Price’s cedar bark designs

Words by

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Photos by

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ELDER VALLEY: A JACK-OF-ALL-TRADES KIND OF ACTIVIST

A brighter future has to be fought for. And we all have the power to act.“We are the ones we have been ...

Reflections from an older Comox Valley resident

Words by

Photo by

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LOCAL TEA PURVEYORS

While the custom of drinking tea goes back as far as 4,000 years to China’s Shang dynasty, here on Canada’s West ...

In pursuit of the perfect brew

Words by

Photos by

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THE REMARKABLE FATHER CHARLES BRANDT

It is early morning with its quiet coolness. I walk out the old logging road where i practice walking meditation. ...

A priest, a hermit, and an environmental activist walked into a forest . . .

Words by

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THE MUSICAL JOURNEY OF HELENA JUNG

Helena Jung came from a musical family. Her mother taught piano, and that was the first instrument Helena learned ...

From Korea to Comox

Words by

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Photo by

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HACK YOUR BRAIN

In today’s fast-paced world, finding ways to boost brain performance and achieve that sweet spot of peak ...

How finding flow makes you better at life

Words by

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Illustration by

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A LIFELONG JOURNEY INTO GRAPHIC NOVELS

The early spark of creativity in a quiet villageAs a young boy, I reached for pencil and paper rather than ...

Creative imagination, fantastical worlds

Words & Illustrations by

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AN EMERGING COMOX VALLEY PHOTOGRAPHER

Finding beauty in the ordinaryI’ve lived in Courtenay for nine years—more than half my life—and I often feel ...

A young photographer shares some of his favourite work so far

Words & photos by

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TIDINGS FROM PORT AUGUSTA

In 1862, the paddle steamer Brother Jonathan drifted into Victoria’s harbour, trailed months later by the ...

How two ships reshaped the Land of Plenty

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LITTLE VALLEY: ZOLA FINDLAY

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

Words by

Zola Findlay

with help from her sister

Sabine

HOW YA GONNA KEEP ‘EM DOWN ON THE FARM

Where farm meets sea: Five generations of family farming at Hornby Island's Fossil Beach Farm

Words by

Jen Groundwater

Photos by

Kali Wexler Photography

GLOBAL BUSINESS, LOCAL IMPACTS

When is it better to do something by half? Allow AquaQuest to demonstrate.

Words by

Meaghan Cursons

Featured photo by

Sarah Barrie

BEAVERS, WIDE OPEN!

As RuPaul might say, getting to know more about our beavers may improve our quality of life.

Words by

Kristof Trout

Photos by

Bruce Moffat

THE ONLY WAY OUT IS THROUGH

Hunger Moon is a shining read for a season of strangeness.

Words by

Nora Bingham

FROM FENCE BOARDS TO SURFBOARDS

No foam here: old cedar takes on new life in handcrafted heirloom surfboards.

Words by

Dave Nowak

Photos by

Sara Kempner

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 Donohoe-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: 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 bear 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

Featured Artist: Sonny Assu

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