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.

Ready to launch

We often hear "the sky's the limit." But what if it isn't?What does it mean to live without limits? To dream ...

An Introduction to Vol. 41

Words by

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Photo by

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Featured Poet: If I had nine lives

If I had nine lives:I would climb the highest mountains and ski the deepest powder every single day. My legs ...

Words and Photo by

The Story of Cortes Island Academy

A Crisis in Rural Education: The Story of Cortes Island AcademyAcross rural Canada, students face an uphill ...

A Crisis in Rural Education

FEATURED PHOTOGRAPHER: MATHEW WANBON

Mathew Wanbon is a photographer who recently moved to the Comox Valley. His work focuses on creating and sharing ...

REFLECTIONS ON THE IMPORTANCE OF SPORT

Chances are, you’ve had a coach, or you know one. Perhaps you’re a coach yourself, helping out your child’s team ...

The coaching circle

Words by

Photos by

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Featured Artist: Maggie Ziegler

Maggie Ziegler is a mixed media artist and graphic designer residing in the Comox Valley. She draws inspiration ...

HIGHLIGHTS FROM MY FAMILY’S JOURNEY AROUND THE WORLD

Hi, my name is Violet. I am 10 years old and would like to tell a story of how my family and I travelled around ...

Japan to Iceland and everywhere in between

Words by

Photos by

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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How one woman’s quest to shop less ended up expanding her life.

Words By

Briana James

Photo by

Alison Dawn

CHASING SUNSETS

During a fashion-shoot visit to Fiji, a photographer connects with the beauty of ocean and land.

Words and Photos by

Paige Owen

THE VANCOUVER ISLAND MOUNTAIN CENTRE AND SPORTS SOCIETY

The Mountain Centre is here, but do you know why?

Words by

Alycia Traas

Photo by

Kyle Hansen

LITTLE VALLEY: KELLAN D’AOUST

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

Words by

Kellan D'Aoust

THE ROOTS OF ALL GOODNESS

Digging deep for the superpowers of root vegetables.

Words by

Bevin Clempson

Photos by

Jennifer Brazil

Cameras in hand, two determined documentarians spend a season in pursuit of the Comox Valley’s elusive Roosevelt elk.

Words by

Dave Flawse

Painting by

Christine Boyer

WINTER’S POEM

Words by

Meaghan Cursons

Photo by

Eugene Chung

THE PERKS OF PLAYING PRETEND

Roleplaying games open up a world of adventure and exploration… and it’s all in the players’ imaginations.

Words by

Curt Carbonell

and

Sam Larente

THE BIG ONE

In 1946, Forbidden Plateau was the epicentre of the Island’s last big earthquake. The Comox Valley experiences minuscule tremors all the time—are we due for another big one soon?

Words by

Andrew Findlay

Photo by

Ron Pogue

BRAVO FOR BUCKET OF BLOOD

This is the first of a series where the book-loving Nora Bingham will recommend books by BC-based authors, often with an Island connection.

Words by

Nora Bingham

Illustration by

Claire Guiot

YOU’LL BE GLAD TO HEAR: UNION BAY 2040

A local writer imagines the letter his daughter will write him about her return to Union Bay 20 years from now.

Words by

Ryan Stuart

Photo by

Alexandre Crouzet

LIFE BEGINS AT 40

The resort heads into its fifth decade with plans for many more bluebird days ahead.

Words by

Mike Manara

Photos courtesy of

Mount Washington

A BACKCOUNTRY, MODULAR ROOM OF ONE’S OWN

How one award-winning company is reinventing a classic design for modern adventurers.

Words by

Dave Nowak

PROFILE OF COMMUNITY IN ACTION SPONSORED BY NORTH ISLAND UROLOGY

Think you’ve lived in the Comox Valley a long time? These women run a farm that’s been in the family since John A. Macdonald was prime minister.

Words by

Jen Groundwater

Photo by

Jenn Dykstra

THE SONSHINE LUNCH CLUB: A LOCAL LIFELINE

Turns out there is such a thing as a free lunch. Five days a week, the Sonshine Lunch Club in Courtenay provides a nutritious meal and a gathering place for people who need a little help.

Words by

Mac Newton

Photo by

Sara Kempner

THE ORIGINAL SPIN SESSIONS

Black Creek’s spinning community has nothing to do with stationary bikes, and everything to do with the art and craft of wool.

Words by

Meagan Roberge

Photo by

Meredith Rose

WAIT ’TIL THE SUN SHINES, NELLIE

The hard work of logging Comox Lake—by hand and raft.

Words by

Dawn Copeman

Photo provided by

Cumberland Museum & Archives

THE SEASON OF EARTH

Words by

Jen Groundwater

Photo by

Dave Prothero

NOW OR NEVER

A family of four pursues vast and vivid collective memories on a 10-month road trip.

Words & Photos by

Alice Grasby

COVERING NEW GROUND

The Stratchcona TrailRider Program, and others like it, strive to make the backcountry truly accessible.

Words by

Mike B.

Photo by

Scott Bell

LITTLE VALLEY: MIA BEATTIE

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

Words by

Mia Beattie

CREATIVE MOMENTUM

An inventive art show rallies local talent and business for the sake of environmental sea change.

Words by

Ross Bodenmann

Photos by

Gordon Ross

LITTLE VALLEY: ARYO BEHZAD

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

Words by

Aryo Behzad

A NATURAL TEACHER

Ralph Shaw’s passion for the outdoors was paralleled by an enthusiasm for sharing his knowledge with future generations.

Words by

Kerry Hale

WITCHES OF THE WOODS

Folklore tells of female forms that dwell in the forest, personifying the power of this dark, natural world to frighten and mystify.

Words by

Meaghan Cursons

Photo by

Karley Bracey

In the face of climate change, the City of Courtenay is working on an integrated system to handle a resource that knows no boundaries.

Words by

Aly Bird

Photo by

Jenn Pentland

DARK SCIENCE

Biologists and “citizen scientists” in the Comox Valley have banned together to gather data on an elusive creature that has long been a metaphor for the fears of mankind.

Words by

Tim Ennis

Photos by

Neil Borecky

PERSONAL STYLE

By rethinking what we wear, the slow fashion movement provides support for local artistry and a path to sustainability.

Words by

Nicole Bertram

Photos by

Meredith Rose

THE FOREST AS OUR WITNESS

There is a dark thread tangled into the rich and fascinating history of Cumberland. We follow along with those carrying the stories of the deceased into the former.

Words by

Ashley Hamilton-Macquarrie

Photos by

Shawn Pigott

HELLO GHOST

In anticipation of the Halloween season, we offer a formal introduction to the spirits of the Comox Valley.

Words by

Kim Bannerman

Illustration by

Clive Powsey

COOL AND COLLECTED

The upcoming Farmers’ Market differs from the summer season, but provides an equally valuable way to fill your fridge and pantry.

Words by

Meagan Roberge

Photo by

Bill Jorgensen

ABOVE AND BEYOND

Words by

Ryan Stuart

Featured photo by

Ryan Stuart

REBUILDING A HERITAGE HOME

After a Cumberland home catches fire, local professionals help the owners pay homage to history.

Words by

Jenn Laing

Photos by

Joanne McElroy

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