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.

FALL RISE: THE COMOX VALLEY’S HIDDEN WHITEWATER

This is a valley of rivers. In summer, residents and visitors float down the Lower Puntledge, look for fossils ...

Cold November rains unveil epic whitewater adventures in the Valley

Words & Photo by

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POETSKIS

The feeling of being fully immersed in the momentReflect back on your greatest moment on skis, board, ...

Inspiring human connection, one ski turn at a time

Words by

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Photos by

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A CONSIGNMENT STORE ADVENTURE

Impulse buys and the quest for a put-together styleMy style may have evolved over the years—not that I really ...

Swimming in potential

Words by

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CELEBRATING HORNBY ISLAND’S ANNUAL HERRINGFEST

Hornby Island: a unique ecosystem and tourist destinationHornby Island is one of the smaller Northern Gulf ...

The CHI of land and sea

Words by

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Photos by

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INVISIBLE STRINGS

A penny for your thoughtsThe Comox Valley Collective starts a new theme cycle with every winter issue, and ...

An introduction to Vol. 40

Words by

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Photo by

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BOHEMIAN/BAVARIAN RHAPSODY

Last November, my partner Josh and I travelled to the Czech Republic, my birth land, to visit family, eat ...

Their instruments got lost. They still had fun.

Words & Photos by

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THE MANY COLOURS OF BUTE INLET

In the Ayajuthem (ʔayʔaǰuθəm) language of the Homalco, a northern Coast Salish First Nation, the colours blue and ...

A magnificent fjord

Words by

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Photo by

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FEATURED PHOTOGRAPHER: MICHAEL HACK

Born and raised in Campbell River, Michael Hack has always had a passion for the outdoors. As much of his time as ...

AN UPDATE ON STORIES FROM VOLUME 4

Editor’s note: This fall 2024 issue is the last one of our tenth-anniversary year, and we’re taking a final look ...

Ten years later

Words by

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FEATURED PHOTOGRAPHER: KATIE PHILLIPS

Exploring the boundaries of photography, and pushing past them: that's the goal. When we imagine a "photoshoot," ...

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CURRENT DEMAND

The nutrient-rich waters of Baynes Sound provide the ideal conditions for oyster harvesting, drawing workers to the Valley’s steady industry.

Words by

Dave Flawse

Photo by

Mike LeBlanc

CRUCIAL AND COMPASSIONATE CARE

The Vancouver Island Hospice Society provides assistance for people with terminal illnesses and the families that surround them. One woman takes to the bike to provide support in return.

Words by

Ellissa Prendergast

Photos by

Leah Hull

CONTINENTAL DRIFT

During a kayaking trip to Ecuador, a local photographer’s interests converge with like-minded North American adventurers.

Words & Photos by

Dave Prothero

A LIFE THAT BENEFITS OTHERS

Now a permanent resident of the Valley, A Tibetan Buddhist Monk has turned hardship into a teaching legacy.

Words by

Bevin Clempson

Photo by

Gordon Ross

THE WATERS WITHIN

Reflecting our past through a lens of sustainability to voice our hope for the future.

Words & Photos by

Paige Brown

ABANDON SHIP

Orphaned by their owners, a number of derelict boats litter the shores of Comox harbour. Due to murky jurisdiction and a lack of accountability, they’ll remain indefinitely.

Words by

Ryan Stuart

Photo by

Sara Kempner

IN THE FIELD

Words by

Jen Groundwater

Featured photo by

April Bencze

UNLIKELY SHIPMATES

A coast dweller and her dog navigate life's currents aboard a small sailboat.

Words & Photo by

April Bencze

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

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Explore Collective Magazine Articles By Topic

Cold November rains unveil epic whitewater adventures in the Valley

Inspiring human connection, one ski turn at a time

Swimming in potential

The CHI of land and sea

An introduction to Vol. 40

Their instruments got lost. They still had fun.

A magnificent fjord

Ten years later

The nutrient-rich waters of Baynes Sound provide the ideal conditions for oyster harvesting, drawing workers to the Valley’s steady industry.

The Vancouver Island Hospice Society provides assistance for people with terminal illnesses and the families that surround them. One woman takes to the bike to provide support in return.

During a kayaking trip to Ecuador, a local photographer’s interests converge with like-minded North American adventurers.

Now a permanent resident of the Valley, A Tibetan Buddhist Monk has turned hardship into a teaching legacy.

Reflecting our past through a lens of sustainability to voice our hope for the future.

Orphaned by their owners, a number of derelict boats litter the shores of Comox harbour. Due to murky jurisdiction and a lack of accountability, they’ll remain indefinitely.

A coast dweller and her dog navigate life's currents aboard a small sailboat.

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.

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