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.

OUR COMMUNITY RUNS ON HUMAN CREATIVITY

A beautiful mosaic This is my first time writing in my own magazine. Writing has never been a passion of ...

Creative Director's Introduction to Vol. 37

Words & Photo by

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OUTRIGGER CANOEING IN SAMOA

SAMOAN SOUL Sitting on the start line of the World Long Distance Championships for outrigger canoeing in ...

Racing, roots, and reconnections

Words by

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Photo by

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A PLAN FOR HOME-GROWN DOCTORS

Finding a family doctor or health care professional is difficult enough in urban centres, but it’s even harder for ...

A new program at NIC helps Island students pursue professions in health care.

Words by

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Photos courtesy of

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SEASONAL GOODS: WINTER

The ROAM team has selected some of their favourite winter items that we think everyone should know about. All are ...

Photo by

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WHEN THE BURNOUT IS REAL

In the summer of 2023, approximately 70 local emergency services personnel from the Comox Valley were deployed to ...

What emergency service providers want you to know.

Intro by

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Words by

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LIVES OF LOGGERS AND FARMERS

The earliest inhabitants of the Comox Valley lived lightly on these lands for millennia and didn’t capture their ...

TO CHOOSE THE TREES

i will always choose the trees if i have to choose between society or the forest. it makes sense to me in ...

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A LONG AND WINDING ROAD

As I’m writing this, it’s October 24, and it’s snowing—the earliest snowfall I have experienced in the Valley—and ...

What it takes to keep the Strathcona Parkway open.

Words by

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Photo by

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ELDER VALLEY: RADICAL TRANSFORMATION

Reflections from an older resident. Congratulations to the Comox Valley Collective on ...

Future generations need us to take action now.

Words by

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LITTLE VALLEY: ABBY HUTTON-JAY

Changing seasons, changing times As I hear my feet crunch on the frosty ground beneath me and feel the crisp ...

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

Words by

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THE FLYING DUTCHMAN

How an infamous pirate’s luck ran out on Vancouver Island.

Words by

Simone Gingras-Fox

Photo courtesy of

Union Bay Historical Society

GOOD AS GOLD

Mead-making: flavour and fun from honey.

Words by

Derek Adams

Photo by

Jenn Dykstra

BY DESIGN

Using the language of architecture to build a life in a new country.

Words by

Vivian Dean

Photos courtesy of

Supermod

BETTER BULLETINS

Avalanche Canada comes to the Island.

Words by

Ryan Stuart

Photos by

Colin Garritty

Campbellton

From its roots to a community in renewal.

Words by

Morgan Ostler

Photos by

Jenn Dykstra

FORAGING FOR FLAVOUR

Local gourmet comfort foods help you settle in for winter.

Words by

Jodi Kozicki

Photo by

Taylor Dawning

CHOOSE YOUR OWN ADVENTURE

An ode to the charms of the secondhand bookstore.

Words by

Susan Barratt

Photos by

Meredith Rose

GIVE IT A REST

Go on, take a whole day off. We used to do it once every week.

Words by

Jen Groundwater

Photo by

Jenn Dykstra

A journey to one of Strathcona Provincial Park’s most iconic peaks.

Words & photos by

Claire Gordon

THE COAL BENEATH OUR FEET

Words by

Dawn Copeman

DINNER IS SERVED

Creative culinary events help put gustatory joy on everyone's menu.

Words by

James McKerricher

Photos by

Alison Peill

MAGIC IN THE DYE POT

Fibre and fungi are key ingredients in Amy Crook’s creative process.

Words by

Marie Maccagno

Photos by

Jenn Dykstra

EVERYTHING WE KNOW IS WRONG

Words by

Jen Groundwater

Photo by

Ron Pogue

WERE IT NOT FOR THE BIKE

Three days, two cyclists, and one island-sized mission.

Words & Featured Photo by

Dave Nowak

Gallery Photo by

Gary Egli

ELDER VALLEY: RETIREMENT REDEFINED

Reflections from an older resident.

Words by

Stewart Goodings

Photo by

John Bonner

LITTLE VALLEY: DAKOTA BLOMGREN

Reflections from a younger resident.

Photos by

Shannon Koroll

THE DAY THE PRINCE CAME TO TOWN

An irreverent look at a long-ago royal visit to the Comox Valley.

Words by

Dave Flawse

ALTERED LANDSCAPE

Restoring and reconnecting land and water includes understanding our history.

Words by

Meaghan Cursons

Photos by

Scott Bell

FEEL LIKE A KID AGAIN

Spend a Monday night at the LINC.

Words & photos by

Kyle Hansen

WHALE BREATH AND ANGEL WINGS

The forces behind the tides aren’t as simple as you think.

Words by

Ryan Stuart

Photos by

Luke Phillips

JUMP SCARES AHEAD

Filmmaker Dan Webb brings sci-fi and horror to the Comox Valley.

Words by

Mac Newton

Illustration by

Ian Adams

A DOORWAY TO HOPE

ReStore helps get families into safe, sustainable NEW homes.

Words & Photos by

Karen McKinnon

SUNSET AT SMITH LAKE FARM

Four photographers capture more than just snapshots.

Words by

Sara Kempner

Featured photo by

Meredith Rose

MISADVENTURES IN BAKING

A look at the delicious possibilities of going gluten-free.

Words by

Bevin Clempson

Photos by

Jennifer Brazil

THE SCIENCE OF SASQUATCH

Dr. John Bindernagel spent decades researching BC’s most elusive creature.

Words by

Terrance James

Featured Photo by

Jo-Anne Johnson

VIVA LA TRASH PANDA

It’s been around for 19 million years. So can the raccoon get a little grudging respect?

Words by

Neil Borecky

Photo by

Jenn Dykstra

CHEERS TO THE LAZO BARREL COLLECTIVE

Three self-proclaimed beer geeks are crafting unique, tasty brews.

Words & Photos by

Sara Kempner

THE WOMAN IN THE FLORAL DRESS

Élise Turgeon’s creative, generous spirit has brought a neighbourhood together.

Words by

Heather Gray

Photos by

Kareen Sanderson

RIDING DRAGONS ON THE SALISH SEA

Hope Afloat marks 20 years in the fight against cancer. Paddles up!

Words by

Anne Arseneau

Photos by

Sara Kempner

ALL IN THE SAME BOAT

Connected by water—reflections after an afternoon on Comox Lake.

Words by

Jim Whyte

Photos by

Jenn Dykstra

CHEERS TO THE LAZO BARREL COLLECTIVE

Three self-proclaimed beer geeks are crafting unique, tasty brews.

Words & Photos by

Sara Kempner

BRANCHING OUT

As a planner, Pieter Rutgers helped shape Vancouver’s parks. Now in semi-retirement, he shapes wood into beautiful furniture.

Words by

Mike B.

Photo by

Sara Kempner

GET THEE TO A GALLERY

Each of these galleries features a wide selection of locally made artwork at a variety of price points. You’ll find no pressure to buy, just creativity and brilliance aplenty to admire, and a warm welcome from people who love to talk about art.

LITTLE VALLEY: DARRAGH TORMEY

Reflections from a younger resident.

Photo by

Sara Kempner

CREATING A CANOE

K’ómoks First Nation members combine ancient methods and modern tools to bring a new vessel to life.

Words by

K’ómoks First Nation

Freyja: The Croissant Story

Entrepreneurial immigration to a new continent, with pastry.

Words by

Emese Tóth-Harasztos

Photos by

Shayla Attfield

Sophie Whittingham

Colin Somers