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.

Featured Photographer: Bob Wild

Bob Wild considers himself a late bloomer—photography wasn’t on his radar until he was in his late 40s. As a kid ...

Featured Artist: Kimberly Thompson

Kimberly Thompson moved to Campbell River in 2020 after many years as a resident of Sooke. Born and raised in ...

Wild Kelp Harvesting

My name is Shaelynne and I am in my fourth year of running a wild kelp harvesting operation off the coast of Port ...

Spending the day among strands of seaweed.

Words by

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Photos by

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KEEP IT GREEN

Communities in the Pacific Northwest are essentially human settlements in logging clearcuts. Whack down trees, lay ...

In an era of climate change and housing pressures, how can urban forests survive and thrive?

Words by

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Opening photo by

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FRIENDS AND NEIGHBOURS

A curtain flutters through broken glass as fiery flakes litter the snow-covered ground. Despite the cold, ...

The history of fire protection services in Cumberland.

Words by

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Photos by

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10,000 Volunteer Hours of Urban to Alpine

My phone is set to a special sound just for Search and Rescue calls and, while I have learned over the years to be ...

Campbell River’s Search and Rescue Society.

Words by

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Photo courtesy of

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DRIPPING IN CULTURE

As the owners of The Lost Faucet Sauna House in Courtenay, we are constantly seeking out more knowledge and ...

Sweating my way through the public saunas of Finland and Estonia.

Words by

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THE SEA IN THEIR BLOOD

In the fall and winter, most people don’t immerse themselves in the Salish Sea, but for geoduck divers, it’s ...

Meet the diving family who’ve been harvesting geoducks by hand for three generations.

Words by

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Photos by

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A CARING PRESENCE

PHOTOS BY GWEN MONNET, SANDI PHYE, & CRAIG SOROCHAN We respectfully acknowledge that the land we gather on ...

Every week, Indigenous Elders connect with students at 11 Valley schools through the Ni’nox¯sola program.

Words by

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ELDER VALLEY: NESTING INSTINCT

Reflections from an older resident. I grew up and lived for much of my life in northern ...

Taking pleasure in the rituals of the changing seasons.

Words by

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Photo by

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Burrell’s Bog

Protected space for the birds in Beaver Lodge Lands

Words & Photos by

Bob Dice

Words by

Trevor McMonagle

In Motion

Words by

Trevor McMonagle

Photos by

Tyrah Hofer

WANTED: DEATH COMPANIONS

We’re all going to die, but most of us don’t want to talk about it. Let’s reframe the conversation.

Words by

Madeline Christie

Photos by

Jennifer Jellett

MEET THE BOOT FITTER

When you’ve got happy feet, you just ski better.

Words by

Neil Borecky

Photos by

Luc Antaya

IT’S A WET COLD

Winter camping in Strathcona Provincial Park.

Words by

Kayleen Vanderee

Photos by

Matt Meredith

LITTLE VALLEY: AVA THOMAS

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

Words by

Ava Thomas

Photo by

Sara Kempner

THE BLUE BUZZ

Wild swimmers are only ever one swim away from a good mood.

Words by

Kerry Hale

Photo by

Glenn Naylor

THE GIFT OF MOTION

A new non-profit wants all queer athletes to have role models and cheerleaders.

Words by

Ryan Stuart

Photos by

Meredith Rose

RETHINKING ONIGIRI

A Hornby Island entrepreneur takes a beloved Japanese seafood snack to the next level.

Words by

Britt Hanson

Photo by

Jenn Dykstra

GETTING THE DRIFT

As a vibrant poetry scene emerges in the Valley, a new anthology showcases over three dozen poets’ work.

Words by

Ed Varney

Photo by

Jenn Dykstra

DROP INTO A DEEP READ

Photographer Duncan Hague creates space to tell mountain biking’s unsung stories.

Words by

Dave Flawse

Photo by

Duncan Hague

IT TAKES A VILLAGE

Meet the organization that aims to help all Comox Valley children reach their full potential.

Words by

Trish Weatherall

Photos by

Crystal Chowdhury

MUD, MESS, AND MAGIC

Making a case for outdoor education.

Words by

Britt Hanson

Photos by

Sara Kempner

SALMON AND STEWARDSHIP

the K’ómoks First Nation Guardian Watchmen use the bounty of the sea to help protect the forest.

Words by

Lisa Levesque

Photos by

Jenn Dykstra

BREWMOX VALLEY 2.0

Not even a pandemic has stopped our growing love for local craft beer.

Words by

Max Oudendag

Photos by

Sara Kempner

WHERE THERE’S WATER, THERE’S HOPE

Clearflo Solutions was already working on the global clean water crisis. Then their technology was needed much closer to home.

Words by

Bevin Clempson

Jenny Deters

WHEN IT RAINS, IT POURS

Winters in the Valley aren’t what they used to be. What does this mean for our water supply?

Words by

Tim Ennis

Photos by

Brett Kroeker

KNIT LIKE A NORWEGIAN

Words by

Allie Jenkinson

Photos by

Joslyn Kilborn

MUSIC WAS OUR CONTRABAND

Words by

Meaghan Cursons

Photo by

RJ Herron

LET THE RIVERS RUN

Streamkeepers keep a watchful eye on the Valley’s precious waterways.

Words by

Tanis Gower

Photos by

Meredith Rose

THE DUBIOUS PLEASURES OF WINTER BIRDING

Join the hardy, determined, somewhat anti-social ranks of winter birders.

Words by

Jason Straka

Photo by

James Mackenzie

BLOOM WHERE YOU’RE PLANTED

From Cumberland to the Caribbean, Chicago, and back: a local couple comes full circle.

Words by

Anja Roberts

Photo by

Crystal Chowdhury

A LIFE LIVED WITH VOLUME

We dedicate this volume of the CVC to Thomas Dunn, who inspired family, friends, and entire communities to experience everything in a big way. He will be missed.

Words by

Jen Groundwater

Photo by

Nik Dunn

COME TO THE DARK SIDE

Heighten your senses with a walk in the forest after dark.

Words by

Wendy Mayers

Photo by

Jenn Dykstra

BULBS OF GLORY

Oh, how we love you, beautiful, smelly, powerful garlic.

Words by

Darren Howlett

Photo by

Jennifer Brazil

FEATURED PHOTOGRAPHER: CURTIS BLACKBURN

THE COHOUSING CONCEPT

Courtenay’s sustainable, social cohousing community creates a village of neighbours.

Words by

John Gower

Photos by

Meredith Rose

FEATURED ARTIST: SHARON LALONDE

THE NORTHEAST WOODS

Comox’s favourite forest playground has many stories to tell.

Words by

Kerry Hale

Photos by

Jenn Dykstra

The Origins of the Comox Valley Writers Society

Word-lovers unite

Words by

Joline Martin

Photos by

Jenn Dykstra

PUBLISHED IN A PANDEMIC

Recent and recommended – books by local authors.

LITTLE VALLEY: RORY KEHLER

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

Words by

Rory Kehler

SHELTER IN A NEW LAND

For decades, private sponsors have been helping refugees find safe haven in the Comox Valley.

Words by

Andrew Findlay

Photo collage courtesy of

Sue Rambow

THE VILLAGE TINKER

Forging ahead in uncertain times.

Words by

Dave Nowak

Photos by

Jenn Dykstra

EVEN BETTER TOGETHER

The Comox Valley Healthcare Foundation harnesses the power of collective giving to enhance local healthcare.

Words by

Jen Groundwater

Photo by

Marcie Dumais

PUTTING DOWN THE SAWS

Sy Pederson’s short film Tree Killer tells a story of rebellious loggers and advocates for change in BC’s forestry industry.

Words by

RJ Herron

Photo by

Chukwumuobi Obasi

FROM SECRET KNOWLEDGE TO SELF-IMPROVEMENT

A brief history of freemasonry.

Words by

Kevin Flesher

Featured photo by

Jim Whyte

SHOW US YOUR WORDS

Comox Valley Arts and the selection committee were thrilled with the response to our 2021 Elevate Summer Poetry Contest. Thanks to everyone who submitted entries, and congratulations to our winners, whose work is published here.

Photo by

Sara Kempner

FEATURED WORDS: GENIUS LOCI

Poem by

Xavier O. Datura

FEATURED PHOTOGRAPHER: FRANCOISE GERVAIS