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.

WINTER AT THE THELWOOD-MYRA DIVIDE

As I peered across the steep slope, the swirling snow obscured the view ahead. I looked back toward my partners ...

Recalling a wild adventure that gave Whiteout Dome its name

Words & photos by

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HAPPIER, MORE PURPOSEFUL HUMANS

The community benefits of living in true alignmentWhat a soul is, or whether souls even exist, has consumed ...

Editor's introduction to Vol. 10

Words by

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Photo by

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GROWING APPLES AND MAKING CIDER

From 1890s Orchard to Modern Cider Farm: Five Generations of Apple GrowingCourtenay’s Old Orchard ...

A 120-year old tradition

Words by

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Photos by

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A LOVE LETTER TO THE VALLEY

Bring your curiosity. There’s always more to explore.In 2017, we had officially outgrown Vancouver and ...

An introduction to Vol. 39

Words by

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Photo by

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Featured Artist: Bryn Ball

Bryn Ball transforms the world around her into art. From an early age she enjoyed creating art, using detailed ...

A creative journey in France

Embracing the spirit of getting outside of our comfort zones, my sister Kate and I embarked on a great adventure ...

Une grande aventure

Words & photos by

The Ocean Waves Square Dance Club celebrates 70 years

Many people have heard of Do Si Do, Allemande Left, and Swing Your Partner, but only a square dancer knows what it ...

Get on the floor!

Words by

Photo courtesy of

A 160-KM SOLO SUP ADVENTURE

Woman on the waterIt was July 2023 and my 61st birthday was a month away. I had been dreaming of stand-up ...

Exploring Vancouver Island’s rugged northwestern coast

Words by

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Photos by

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ART AS AN INCUBATOR FOR RESILIENCE, EMPATHY, AND COMMUNITY

It was the kind of morning when you drag yourself into a café, order hashbrowns with a side of hashbrowns, and ...

Why do we love pencils?

Words by

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Photos by

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THIRTY YEARS OF TIN TOWN

I was raised in a suburban Toronto neighbourhood where many residents spent hours commuting to work each day. As ...

The Comox Valley’s distinctive live/work enclave is also a tightly bonded community

Words by

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Photo by

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HOME BASE

The history of CFB Comox tells of the West Coast’s strategic landscape and Canada’s defence strategies dating back to 1942.

Words by

Camille Douglas

Photo by

Jenn Dykstra

PLAYING THE LONG GAME

A lot of change comes with the passing of multiple decades, but a committed gathering of floor hockey players shows that some good things stay the same.

Words by

Dave Nowak

Photos by

Jenn Dykstra

BEARING WITNESS

Just across the Salish Sea, only 70 kilometres from Campbell River as the crow flies, the Xwémalkwu (Homalco) people share the land with dozens of grizzly bears—and awe-struck visitors.

Words by

Jen Groundwater

Photos by

Jenn Dykstra

LITTLE VALLEY: CADENCE HERRON

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

Words by

Cadence Herron

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

Resurrecting a style of totem pole carving traditional to the K’ómoks people

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

No results found.

Explore Collective Magazine Articles By Topic

Recalling a wild adventure that gave Whiteout Dome its name

Editor's introduction to Vol. 10

A 120-year old tradition

An introduction to Vol. 39

Une grande aventure

Get on the floor!

Exploring Vancouver Island’s rugged northwestern coast

Why do we love pencils?

The Comox Valley’s distinctive live/work enclave is also a tightly bonded community

The history of CFB Comox tells of the West Coast’s strategic landscape and Canada’s defence strategies dating back to 1942.

A lot of change comes with the passing of multiple decades, but a committed gathering of floor hockey players shows that some good things stay the same.

Just across the Salish Sea, only 70 kilometres from Campbell River as the crow flies, the Xwémalkwu (Homalco) people share the land with dozens of grizzly bears—and awe-struck visitors.

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

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.

Resurrecting a style of totem pole carving traditional to the K’ómoks people

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.

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