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 AND 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 ...

Reflections from a younger resident

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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In a rapidly growing community, development sprawl and the preservation of common space is a tense subject. Despite new demands and changing ownership, our old habits are hard to break.

Words by

Andrew Findlay

Photo by

Dave Ingram

WHAT TIME LEAVES BEHIND

The Trent River’s unique ecology has made its banks host to many exciting fossil discoveries, by palaeontologists and casual visitors alike.

Words & Photo by

Pat Trask

WINTER FUN FOR EVERYONE

Vancouver Island Society for Adaptive Snowsports strives to make the joy of skiing and snowboarding accessible to all.

Words by

Peter Gardiner-Harding

Photos by

Chris Baikie

SMOOTH MOVES

Through hard work and distinct vision, a network of local trail builders are carving out the future of mountain biking in Cumberland.

Words by

Ryan Stuart

Photos by

Jenn Dykstra

A CUSHY ARRANGEMENT

Life on the back eddy of a ski attracts a revolving cast of characters.

Words by

Neil Borecky

Photo by

Morgan Callison

A CHILLING TURN

For a pair of spirited river surfers, a surge of excitement for ideal conditions quickly turns dangerous.

Words by

Curtis Parker

Photo by

Ali Marie Parker

IN THE FIELD

Words & Photos

Ross Bodenmann

WHAT MOVES US

The rivers of the Comox Valley have the power to carry us home.

Words by

Mike B.

Photo by

Jenn Dykstra

LONG MAY YOU RUN

Dancing In Gumboots is an intimate portrait of a bygone era on the coast, telling the tales of bold and inventive women arriving to the Valley in the '60s and '70s.

Words by

Allie Jenkinson

Photos courtesy of

Jane Wilde

AN ELEGANT STRUGGLE

The tranquil experience of our riverbanks betrays the life-and-death cycle that is central to the health of our forests and watersheds.

Words by

Kristen Walters

Photos by

April Bencze

UNIVERSAL LOCAL

Dancer and teacher Cathy Stoyko’s many cultural contributions include a multi-purpose space in Cumberland dedicated to inclusivity and creative freedom.

Words by

Zoë Cooper

Photo by

Shane Philip

A PLACE UPSTREAM

Words by

Allie Jenkinson

Photo by

Ross Bodenmann

WITH CHILDLIKE WONDER

With nostalgic food, a coastal road trip, and unforgettable animals, a family trip to South Africa reunites generations.

Words & Photos by

Andy Phillips

THE GEM OF ISLAND MOUNTAINEERING

Three locals tackle Mt. Colonel Foster to find that it has more lessons to teach than a single climb can provide.

Words & Photos by

Tyler Bellows

STANDING TALL

Karver Everson and Randy Frank are resurrecting a style of totem pole carving traditional to the K’ómoks people. Their Guardian poles continue to be raised on unceded traditional territory throughout the Valley in honour of First Nations History and the path we must all walk toward reconciliation..

Words by

Roger Albert

Photos by

Sara Kempner

CREATIVE CONTROL

Considering the perpetual excellence of Cumberland-based musician and producer Corwin Fox.

Words by

Archie Pateman

Photo by

Jodie Ponto

ON THE RISE

The techniques and ingredients used in old-world bread baking are better for you, from starter to finish.

Words by

Bevin Clempson

Photo by

Danika Mcdowell

VOTING FOR VITALITY

While the political process can be disenchanting to voters, the accessibility of local politics allows us to get closer to the roots of democracy and play a direct role in shaping the future of the Valley.

Words by

Andrew Findlay

Illustration by

Ian Adams

THINKING BEYOND BUSINESS

Much more than a local accommodation, a lodge in BC’s oldest national park trains outdoor educators and guides while acting as a steward to the surrounding environment.

Words by

Laurel Sliskovic

Photos by

Jenn Dykstra

ON ANY GIVEN THURSDAY

Dropping in on the members of the Comox Valley Horseshoe Club, where simple pleasures are honoured and everybody’s welcome.

Words by

Dave Nowak

Photos by

Jenn Dykstra

THE CLARITY OF GLASS

A New Zealand artist reclaims herself through the sensory joys of a Campbell River studio.

Words by

Suzanna Weimer

Photos by

Vince Kehn

PREPARING FOR THE PRESENT

Paying attention, being aware, and having presence of mind is habitual.

Words by

Mac Newton

Photos by

Jenn Dykstra

SHUT IT DOWN

Words by

Allie Jenkinson

Photo by

Jenn Dykstra

SPINNING GOLD

A search for wilderness, adventure, and single track in the land of the midnight sun.

Words & Photos by

Leah Ballin

THE GREAT INDOORS

Blurring the lines between woods and water, comfort and camping, Brown’s Bay Resort is a charming getaway for Vancouver Island travellers./h2>
Words by
Laurel Sliskovic
Photos by
James Headrick

LITTLE VALLEY: NAOMI CHARETTE

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

Words by

Naomi Charette

GIRL ON FIRE

The quiet dirt road in Merville where Arcade Fire violinist Sarah Neufeld was raised led her loudly around the globe.

Words by

Mike B.

Photo by

Gesi Schilling

OPPRESSION AND RESILIENCE

134 years ago, the Canadian Government introduced legislation to ban the P'a_sa, or Potlach, in an attempt to disassemble the culture of Indigenous peoples in Canada. An exhibit at the Comox Valley Art Gallery aims to educate the public about this section of Canadian history, and the impact that continues to reverberate today.

Words by

Keisha Everson

Photo by

Boomer Jerritt

SMOOTHING A DIFFICULT PATH

Today ‘N’ Tomorrow provides guidance through teenage pregnancy, allowing parents to finish school and plan for the future.

Words by

Thea Miller

Photos by

Jenny Deters

PIONEERS AND BROKEN DREAMS

Exploring northern Vancouver Island’s San Josef Bay with Cove Adventures.

Words & Photos by

Tim Ennis

CHOOSE YOUR OWN ADVENTURE

Cycling opportunities in the Valley are growing, combining the best of the area’s food, wine, and scenery into a selection of man-powered packages.

Words by

Paula Worthington

Photos by

Jenn Dykstra

GROWING CALM

Local businesses team up to provide a resort sanctuary that naturally soothes and inspires.

Words by

Ashley Hamilton-Macquarrie

Photos by

Jenn Dykstra

A SELFLESS PROTECTOR OF ALL THINGS WILD

Remembering the legacy of Ruth Masters and the priceless gifts—both physical and intangible—that she bestowed on our community.

Words by

Andrew Findlay

Photos by

Friends of Ruth Masters

FAMILY FRAMEWORK

Through strong vision and tireless effort, an easily dismissed property in Union Bay becomes a unique and envious west coast gem.

Words by

Jamie McCue

Photos by

Sara Kempner

THE DIRECTION OF DISCOMFORT

How moving outside of your regular patterns can help you manage fear and map your own future.

Words by

Mia Jerritt

Photo by

Kyle Hansen

RACING THE LIGHT

A team of Comox Valley runners road trips to the Alberta/BC border to test themselves with the Sinister 7 Ultra Marathon.

Words by

Leah Knutson

Photos by

Mike LeBlanc

THE PLACES WE MAKE

The Cumberland Community Forest Society reflects deep-rooted passions to map out a flourishing future.

Words by

Meaghan Cursons

Photos by

RJ Herron

FLOATING ON

Words by

Allie Jenkinson

Photo by

Kyle Hansen

Explore Collective Magazine Articles By Topic

Reflections from a younger resident

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

Finding Mick Taylor’s forever place.

Raising daughters to appreciate nature through conservation.

The family legacy behind the North Island Craft Beer Festival.

Stories from Sheltering in the Backrush.

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

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

Conserving the coastline with photographer John Kelsey.

My Path to Vancouver Island’s snowy slopes.

In a rapidly growing community, development sprawl and the preservation of common space is a tense subject. Despite new demands and changing ownership, our old habits are hard to break.

The Trent River’s unique ecology has made its banks host to many exciting fossil discoveries, by palaeontologists and casual visitors alike.

Vancouver Island Society for Adaptive Snowsports strives to make the joy of skiing and snowboarding accessible to all.

Through hard work and distinct vision, a network of local trail builders are carving out the future of mountain biking in Cumberland.

Life on the back eddy of a ski attracts a revolving cast of characters.

For a pair of spirited river surfers, a surge of excitement for ideal conditions quickly turns dangerous.

The rivers of the Comox Valley have the power to carry us home.

Dancing In Gumboots is an intimate portrait of a bygone era on the coast, telling the tales of bold and inventive women arriving to the Valley in the '60s and '70s.

The tranquil experience of our riverbanks betrays the life-and-death cycle that is central to the health of our forests and watersheds.

Dancer and teacher Cathy Stoyko’s many cultural contributions include a multi-purpose space in Cumberland dedicated to inclusivity and creative freedom.

With nostalgic food, a coastal road trip, and unforgettable animals, a family trip to South Africa reunites generations.

Three locals tackle Mt. Colonel Foster to find that it has more lessons to teach than a single climb can provide.

Considering the perpetual excellence of Cumberland-based musician and producer Corwin Fox.

The techniques and ingredients used in old-world bread baking are better for you, from starter to finish.

While the political process can be disenchanting to voters, the accessibility of local politics allows us to get closer to the roots of democracy and play a direct role in shaping the future of the Valley.

Much more than a local accommodation, a lodge in BC’s oldest national park trains outdoor educators and guides while acting as a steward to the surrounding environment.

Dropping in on the members of the Comox Valley Horseshoe Club, where simple pleasures are honoured and everybody’s welcome.

A New Zealand artist reclaims herself through the sensory joys of a Campbell River studio.

Paying attention, being aware, and having presence of mind is habitual.

A search for wilderness, adventure, and single track in the land of the midnight sun.

Blurring the lines between woods and water, comfort and camping, Brown’s Bay Resort is a charming getaway for Vancouver Island travellers./h2>Words byLaurel SliskovicPhotos byJames Headrick

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

The quiet dirt road in Merville where Arcade Fire violinist Sarah Neufeld was raised led her loudly around the globe.

Today ‘N’ Tomorrow provides guidance through teenage pregnancy, allowing parents to finish school and plan for the future.

Exploring northern Vancouver Island’s San Josef Bay with Cove Adventures.

Cycling opportunities in the Valley are growing, combining the best of the area’s food, wine, and scenery into a selection of man-powered packages.

Local businesses team up to provide a resort sanctuary that naturally soothes and inspires.

Remembering the legacy of Ruth Masters and the priceless gifts—both physical and intangible—that she bestowed on our community.

Through strong vision and tireless effort, an easily dismissed property in Union Bay becomes a unique and envious west coast gem.

How moving outside of your regular patterns can help you manage fear and map your own future.

A team of Comox Valley runners road trips to the Alberta/BC border to test themselves with the Sinister 7 Ultra Marathon.

The Cumberland Community Forest Society reflects deep-rooted passions to map out a flourishing future.

Blurring the lines between woods and water, comfort and camping, Brown’s Bay Resort is a charming getaway for Vancouver Island travellers./h2>
Words by
Laurel Sliskovic
Photos by
James Headrick