Letters
Land Title Uncertainty
It seems a lot of people are feeling uncertain about their property rights in this era of Indigenous courtroom success. I’m not. Look who holds the cards.
Since Confederation, governments have controlled 98.8 per cent of the landmass of Canada and signed almost no treaties in BC. Indigenous People were banned from hiring lawyers until 1951, from voting until 1960. Aboriginal title wasn’t legally recognized until 1973. Oral evidence wasn’t admissible in court until 1997. The legislative deck has been stacked, consistently and deliberately, in one direction.
Despite this, when the Quw’utsun recently won a case, using laws written by Canadian legislators ruled on by Canadian judges – the ruling explicitly protected private landowners. The official who took Quw’utsun land in the 1860s was the very Crown employee tasked with protecting it. It took 150 years to get that case in front of a judge. The current government – regardless of political stripe – now has to find redress, and First Nations leaders are emphatic: private property is not what they’re looking for.
UBC law professor Alex Walls suggests there is plenty of room for the Crown and Cowichan to resolve the issue in ways that benefit all of us. For example, he notes that in 2008, the government settled a similar claim with Musqueam for a total cost of about $70 million, and Musqueam used the settlement to invest in businesses and housing developments.
Even so, the government is appealing the Quw’utsun decision, cards are being reshuffled, and a different case that involves DRIPA is being slid into the deck of public opinion to add to the complexity and confusion. But at the end of the day,
rest assured that governments in BC and Ottawa have always fought hard to give as little as possible to First Nations. In spite of all the declarations of good intent, their colonial system is still with us. – Ann Rogers
Farm vehicles
A friendly reminder to the residents of Cedar/Yellow Point. As we are coming into spring and summer, you may encounter tractors on the road. Please understand that the speed signs on most rural roads say, “Maximum 60 km/h.” They do not say, “You must do 80 km/h.”
Tractors are a very important tool to any farmer. Seeing as farmers are growing food for you to eat and are not intentionally trying to get in your way, a bit of patience and a wave are always appreciated. While most people in rural areas recognize what farmers are doing, unfortunately, there are a few citydiots in a hurry to get to Starbucks.
Please move back to the city. Don’t let the door on the Nanaimo River bridge hit you on the ass on your way out.
- Chris Sunnus
Bylaw 4373
Regarding the contentious OCP passed by a majority of CVRD directors and the subsequent bylaw 4373, as a member of the Area H Advisory Planning Commission since 2019, I have the following concerns:
These recent incursions on private property rights are symptomatic of the growing centralization of power at every level of government. We taxpayers are only “consulted” when official plans are already a fait accompli. New zoning regulations retroactively deprive landowners of rights, which were included in the original purchase of land years ago.
1. When I first read all 700 pages of the OCP, one detail struck me as particularly absurd. I called it “roosterphobia” but was ignored by the CVRD. Restricting chickens in rural areas only increases dependence on imported factory foods delivered to the Cowichan by diesel trucks.
2. The ALR comprises much agricultural land here, but it doesn’t achieve the reason it was created for by yet another NDP regime. Here is an example. We farm 82 acres zoned ALR. I am 80 years old. My son, when he presently completes serving our country in the Armed Forces, would love to take over. But he and his family would need appropriate accommodation. The ALR zoning permits a second home of no more than 984 square feet. I applied for an exemption. To be fair, the CVRD approved our request. The ALC, which never even came to our farm, rejected it and enclosed a substantial bill for doing so. That is why the ALR does not work.
3. There are certain notorious exceptions to Bylaw 4373. Most egregious is the term “legal non-conforming.” It states that a business can persist despite these new bylaws if it conforms to the “original size and scope” before the CVRD existed. Consider Schnitzer Steel – it has destroyed Thomas Creek, which drains the Cassidy aquifer. What was there before Schnitzer? A drive-in theatre, I remember seeing as a boy.
“Pave paradise and put up a parking lot,” as Joni Mitchell said.
– John Edwards, farmer, poet and skeptic
Good Read!
Just wanted to let you know that whenever we head south from Nanaimo to the Chemainus area, we pick up a copy of TAKE 5 and thoroughly enjoy reading it.
Keep up the great work!!
– Susan Dunning
Letters to the editor are welcome. This is an open forum for readers to express their opinions on community matters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of TAKE 5 or its affiliates. Email us at editor@take5.ca
Watch out for farm vehicles says reader Chris Sunnus. Photo submitted.
Crib Champions
Members of the Ladysmith Canadian Legion Branch 171, on April 26, won the teams category at the Royal Canadian Legion’s National Crib Tournament in Windsor, Nova Scotia.
Team members Miriam Reid, Heather Taylor, Eric Nemberg and Rob Johnson played against Provincial Champions from all the provinces in Canada as part of the three-day tournament.
The tournament has three classes of play: single, doubled, and team. The Ladysmith players won the right to participate, by winning both the zone play and then the provincial playdowns in the very competitive team event.
British Columbia did extremely well
by sweeping all three categories, which is rarely done.
“Crib is in my blood,” said Rob Johnson, who comes from a family of cribbage players. The card game is popular in Ladysmith, attracting players to the weekly crib games at the Ladysmith Legion and Seniors Centre from as far as Maple Day and Parksville.
Forrest Field Enhancement Society Raffle
The Forrest Field Enhancement Society (FFES) is holding a raffle to raise funds to replace the existing playground equipment up at Forrest Field.
The Ladysmith Rotary is made up of representatives of Rotary, Kinsmen, Eagles and Mid Island Soccer. The society has been working with the Town since 2017.
“We have raised and spent approximately $30,000, in doing concrete work and paving to finish the wheelchair accessible walkway around the field and
sidewalks along the Fourth Ave. parking lot. We formed a society and have applied for charitable status with CRA, but are waiting to hear back on our application. We did this in order to be able to fundraise significant funds and possibly be able to give tax receipts out for donations,” explained Ken Greig, chairman of FFES.
The Town of Ladysmith is working on Phase 2, which includes the rear parking lot, pickle ball courts and roughing in the exterior trail and BMX bike park.
The society has organized a large raffle to raise funds to assist the Town in upgrading the playground equipment. Future phases will include a lacrosse-style arena, ball diamond, possible off-leash dog park and then finally a new major clubhouse. The FFES will raise funds to assist in putting further equipment and enhancing elements of the main clubhouse, such as an elevator, kitchen equipment and sports equipment.
A new 2026 Sea-Doo with trailer,
Left to right: Rob McCumber, Nova Scotia command representative; Eric Nemburg; Miriam Reid; Rob Johnson; Heather Taylor; and Harry Jackson, tournament chairman. Photo submitted.
cruise ship gift card, tool set, and spa treatments are some of the prizes. The winner will be drawn August 2, at Ladysmith Days.
New School to Be Built
BY ANGIE HASLAM
MLA Stephanie Higginson was excited to announce the Provinces’ approval of a new school plan at the public announcement on April 8, 2026 at the Ladysmith Intermediate School.
Higginson has been involved with the School District’s proposals and advocating for a new school in Ladysmith since 2012 – definitely a “full circle moment,” she said.
Nanaimo–Ladysmith School District 68 can now move forward with a new school build and an addition to the existing primary school.
The Province will provide $15 million for the Ladysmith Primary expansion, which will change the primary school to a K–7 elementary, opening in 2027. An additional $37 million is provided for a new school build at the previous Ecole Davis Road School site, opening in 2029.
The new school on Davis Road will be a dual-track English–French immersion K-7 school, with an incorporated Neighbourhood Learning Centre, including a daycare facility. This school will be the first to be completely built with prefab construction technology in BC.
The existing intermediate school’s 70-year-old building will stay open during the new school build. Future plans for the property, which is on Crown Land, is uncertain.
Talk on Land Title and Property Rights
Recent developments around land title and property rights in British Columbia are raising serious and timely questions.
You may have seen Premier David Eby in the news, discussing potential amendments to the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (DRIPA). These discussions follow recent court decisions that are beginning to test how Indigenous rights intersect with private land ownership—creating uncertainty that could have far-reaching implications.
At the same time, media reports suggest additional legal challenges may be on the horizon, as First Nations pursue
cases based on these new precedents. While land claims are largely a federal matter, the effects are being felt provincially and locally.
Closer to home, Ladysmith’s Official Community Plan includes language that encourages the potential repatriation of
School announcement at the Ladysmith Intermediate School. ((left:) Ladysmith Intermediate School. Photos: Angie Haslam
unceded lands to local First Nations:
“Where feasible, pursue opportunities where unceded Townowned land can be repatriated to Stz’uminus First Nation and other First Nations whose traditional territories encompass Ladysmith. … Encourage other non-Indigenous public and private land owners to contribute to the reclamation of Indigenous jurisdiction over their unceded lands.”
While intended to support reconciliation, the scope and implications of this policy raise important questions for residents and property owners.
Thomas Isaac – one of Canada’s leading experts in Indigenous law and land claims – will be speaking at the LRA’s upcoming event “BC Land Title Uncertainty,” on May 11.
This will be an informative and accessible evening where Thomas Isaac will explain the current legal landscape, breakdown recent court decisions, and clarify what these changes could mean for property owners.
Tickets are $20 and available through LRA website (www.ladysmithresidents.com/) or by e-transfer (please include names and event details). Proceeds go toward covering speaker and venue costs.
Coffee With Tamara …
BY JACKIE ELLIOTT
Over 40 constituents attended Tamara Kronis’s drop-in event at Eagles Hall on April 8. Tamara Kronis, Conservative MP for Nanaimo–Ladysmith riding, was joined by Dan Mazier, Shadow Minister for Health, and they both took a wide range of questions from the attendees.
One hot-topic issue clearly on the mind of Conservative supporters was the “floor-crossing” of former Conservative MP Marilyn Gladu to the Liberal Caucus. Kronis explained that there was no recourse or chance of a by-election, and that voters would have their say in the next election.
One attendee challenged Kronis and Mazier on climate change and renewable energy. Kronis defended the Conservative position, citing the nation’s reliance on oil and petroleum products, and while she supported renewable sources of energy, Kronis pointed out that “oil wasn’t going away any time soon.”
There were questions from the floor about the federal dental plan, the long wait times for healthcare and the DFO’s review of the Salmon Allocation Policy, potentially impacting the local public fishery.
Kronis also explained her opposition to Bill C9, the Combatting Hate Act, arguing that the bill was so broad, in her opinion, it could potentially impact religious freedoms. Not only that, previously enacted legislation, sufficient to address the problem, was not being enforced.
Kronis outlined some of her proposals for tackling local issues, such as the addiction crisis, and the ongoing problem of derelict vessels in our harbours.
Staffers were on hand to help constituents with individual problems navigating government bureaucracy, and Kronis emphasized her good working relationship with provincial and local municipal leaders.
For details of future events check the website https://tamarakronismp.ca/.
Inside the Living Room: House Concerts
on the Rise
BY NADINE WONG
In an era of ticketed theatres, festival stages and endless scrolling, house concerts continue to thrive – quietly, intentionally and often just a few feet from the sofa. For musicians and audiences alike, these living-room performances offer something increasingly rare: connection. Through conversations with three touring musicians, longtime Home Routes hosts – Debbie and Steve Neil of Saltair – and my own experience providing musicians a venue in our living
Suggested donations keep concerts accessible, potlucks turn strangers into friends, and as many hosts will tell you, the real reward isn’t just the music; it’s the connections and memories that linger long after the final note.
Lynne Hanson has performed professionally for 25 years and has played solo for two decades. For her, the intimacy of a house concert feels less like a departure and more like a return. “House concerts aren’t that different from a traditional show,” she says. “It’s just more relaxed. There are usually no lights, no sound system and very little set up. You just show up with your instrument.”
room, a clear picture emerges of why house concerts endure.
Opening our home was about giving live music a place to exist, building community and supporting independent artists. My husband, Owen, a guitarist and singer, has long filled our home with music, playing for friends, open mics, stages, seniors residence and assistedliving facilities. That spirit led us to ask, why not help independent musicians do what they love and make a living at it?
The appeal lies in how songs change when performed up close. “Some songs absolutely come alive in a house concert,” she explains. “You can see people’s faces, their reactions. If a lyric lands, you feel it immediately.” Lynne recalled playing in unconventional spaces: a three-car garage turned theatre, a basement converted into a 50-seat venue and beneath a train station in Glasgow. One Manitoba performance stands out: “The hosts had read on social media that I liked pancakes,” she laughs. “I woke
Debbie and Steve Neil. Photo: Nadine Wong
up to a full stack with Saskatoon berry syrup. That stays with you. I’m a people person. I like arriving, settling in and connecting before I even play a note.”
Braden Phelan sums it up simply: “Less production, more connection.” Speaking as the other half of Tragedy Ann, he explains that house concerts strip music back to the essentials. “They create a shared immediacy. Artists and audiences are equally accessible, meeting in a space where raw character matters more than polish. We see them and they see us.”
When describing the relationship between the house concert hosts and themselves, the closeness requires presence. “There’s no separation,” Braden says. “You are there from the moment you arrive.” While setting boundaries are important on long tours, he adds that the generosity of hosts outweighs the challenges. “Home-cooked meals, care, curiosity – it can’t be overstated.”
Programs like Home Routes help make these shows more sustainable, offering what they describe as grassroots hallmark: steady, doable and deeply human.
Because Tragedy Ann’s songs are rooted in story, house concerts change how the music lands. “You’re checking in with people in real time,” they say. “That’s much harder to do on a
Tragedy Ann - Liv Cazzola & Braden Phela. Photo: Nadine Wong
big stage.” Memorable moments include a playful banter with a former SCTV cast member seated in the front row at a Hamilton show. What could have been awkward became honest, funny and connective.
Ryan McMahon, a Ladysmith-based songwriter and musician, has been playing house concerts for over 15 years. “House concerts are grassroots, listener by listener. They’re like farmto-table,” he says. “You get to talk to every person face-to-face. That doesn’t happen in most venues anymore.” The simplicity, he notes, shifts the focus squarely onto the songs. There’s even a running joke among artists: you’re usually only ten feet from the bedroom.
“The night often starts with tea, conversation and a shared meal,” McMahon says. “People are genuinely kind.” For him, the intimacy allows authenticity. “I don’t have a stage persona – what you see is what you get. I see myself in my songs, and that give me the ability to connect.”
For Debbie and Steve Neil, hosting Home Routes concerts in Saltair has become second nature. “It really does become a well-oiled machine,” says Debbie. “But at the heart of it is hospitality – creating a space where people feel comfortable sharing music.”
The Neil’s were drawn to Home Routes because of its values. “The artists flies in, and the network connects hosts across the region,” Steve explains. “It allows musicians to tour sustainably while building real relationships.”
There are challenges. “Getting the word out is often the hardest part,” Debbie notes. “People want to support live music, but building an audience takes time.” Still the rewards outweigh the effort. “There’s something powerful about breaking bread together,” she says. “Potluck dinners create an immediate sense of community. By the time the music starts, people are already connected.”
“It’s not rushed,” Steve adds. “People linger, talk to the artists and share stories.”
Hosting since 2013, the Neils now cap attendance at 40, and every show is full. “For us, it’s about connections,” Debbie says. “The energy is always good, and it feels like a fair exchange – one that keeps live music thriving.”
Connections is a common thread running through every
house-concert story.
Owen and I have long supported live music, from coordinating events such as Dine on the Dock, Open Mic on the Dock and Music on the Dock in Ladysmith to hosting concerts in our own home. We’ve welcomed musicians from across Vancouver Island, beyond the Island and from outside of Canada, hosting up to 35 guests at a time. Like established house-concert networks, we carefully select the artists we invite, creating an experience rooted in trust and shared appreciation.
House concerts remain affordable for the audiences, and for many musicians, they are a vital source of income, often more dependable than seasonal festivals or hard-to-book theatre shows. While it takes effort to build an invitation list, once that community is established, word spreads easily. When you believe in the artist performing in your home, inviting others feel natural.
At their core, house concerts are acts of hospitality. As hosts, we become ambassadors – not just for the musicians we support but for our community and for live music itself. This year, Owen and I look forward to opening our doors once again, creating space for songs, stories and the kind of connection that only happens when people gather, listen and share a room.
If you would like to get on Debbie and Steve’s email list, Debbie can be reached at debbieneil27@gmail.com.
If you would like to get on Nadine and Owen’s email list, Nadine can be reached at nadineannwong@gmail.com.
Ladysmith Arts and Heritage Hub will house the Ladysmith Arts Council along with other tenants. Photo: Bob Burgess
Arts Council of Ladysmith and District Receives Major Capital Funding for Arts and Heritage Hub
The Arts Council of Ladysmith and District (ACLD) has recently received a major grant towards the development of the Arts and Heritage Hub at Ladysmith’s waterfront. The British Columbia Arts Council awarded $235,300 in capital funding to support leasehold improvements for the transformation of the old Machine Shop into a dynamic centre for arts and culture. Some of the features include a large classroom, an expanded printmakers studio, an upstairs gallery and interpretive centre, and an administration office.
The ACLD thanks the Town of Ladysmith, which has partnered with the Arts Council by providing an MOU and lease for the space, and its members and the broader Ladysmith community, whose donations have contributed an additional $176,000 to date.
More support is needed and the ACL is planning a fundraiser auction Bid for the Build on May 22, 5pm to 7pm.
Tick Tock: Lives Are Ripe for Change in Timepiece
The clock is winding down on Mercury Players Society’s 2025–26 all-Canadian theatre season, which closes with the contemporary comedy-drama Timepiece by Vancouver playwright Kico Gonzáles-Risso, April 24 to May 10.
Retired watchmaker Walter is becoming forgetful – or is he just being capricious? While memory loss in seniors is a serious issue, Gonzalez-Risso turns a potentially depressing topic into a compassionate and often hilarious story of family foibles.
Mary Louise Phillips directs this funny, poignant and respectful look at ageing, marriage and family dynamics.
Timepiece runs at Duncan United Church Heritage Hall (246 Ingram St. Duncan), April 24, 25, May 1, 2, 8, 9, at 7:30 p.m., with matinées April 26, May 3 and 10, at 2:30 p.m. Tickets are $25 (s/s $20), and two for $35 on opening night, April 24. Purchase e-tickets at mercuryplayers.org.
Timepiece is Mercury’s entry in the Theatre BC South Island Zone Festival, May 14, at Ladysmith Little Theatre.
Rotary Garden Tour returns
BY FRANCESCA PACCHIANO
Spring is on full display, and the 2026 Ladysmith Rotary Garden Tour is the best way to experience the stunning blooms. There are seven unique gardens, each with its own personality and charm to experience. Jim Tredwell and Carmen Dolinsek’s garden is one of the highlights on the tour, which takes place on Sunday, May 31.
Carmen has cultivated this garden for the last nine years. When they moved in 2017, the plot of land was drought and deer tolerant, but now it’s vibrant. “I don’t think there’s a square inch that’s not covered in flowers.”
The patio at the back of the house is edged by rock walls overhung by lush ferns. Paths, shaded by flowering lilacs and magnolias, wind up through sweeping, decorative grasses, to the pond. Two red Adirondack chairs sit at the water’s edge, offering a moment of quiet reflection before carrying on, higher into the garden.
Rock walls and paths tier the garden, offering a variety of textures and shapes. In addition to the beautiful flowers, Carmen has added metal sculptures as pieces of interest. There is a flamingo by the pond, hanging planters and bird cages, which bring a bit of whimsy into the space.
When looking for inspiration, Carmen
finds it in the gardens around her home. “Lots of times we’ll drive around and I go, ‘Oh, I really like that.’” After nine years of tending her garden, she already owns most of what the garden centres sell. “It’s getting to that point where I’m not buying a lot of plants anymore. I’m actually dividing and moving things.”
The secret to keeping her garden so lush all season long is an underground sprinkling system. “When we had that big heat dome, we didn’t really lose anything. I heard horror stories where people were losing their hydrangeas. I think the worst thing that happened was my fuchsia. … They just looked awful.”
It’s the winters that have been more challenging for her garden. “We lost more in the winter with the cold,” she said. “Not this year, but past years, we lost quite a bit with the frost.” Despite the losses, the garden has established itself and grown back stronger.
The biggest lesson she’s had to learn
with this garden is not to overcrowd her space. “I just want more and more.” One of the draws of her garden now is how much there is to experience. Plants aren’t just placed side by side; they’re layered vertically, with creeping plants trailing below taller ones and foxglove spires towering above the rest. But the challenge to avoid overcrowding remains. In the winter, when the vegetation has died back, it can be challenging to remember exactly where plants were. “I planted my camellia over something called black negligee, so now they’re like growing together because I didn’t know the black negligee was there.”
Gardening has been a joyful practice for her over the years, and Carmen hopes that her garden and the tour can offer inspiration to new and old gardeners alike.
To participate in the Rotary Garden Tour, tickets can be purchased on Eventbrite for $30.
Carmen Dolinsek and Jim Tredwell in their Saltair garden. Photo: Bob Burgess
Sourdough’s origin
BY PAUL LEGACY
Few things in the culinary world carry a story as rich and enduring as sourdough. Long before commercial yeast lined grocery store shelves, bakers were quietly harnessing the invisible forces of nature –wild yeast and bacteria – to create bread that would rise, nourish and sustain.
The origins of sourdough trace back thousands of years to Ancient Egypt, where it is believed that a simple mixture of flour and water, left to rest in the warm air, first came alive. What may have begun as chance soon became craft when early bakers learned to save a portion of this fermented mixture to leaven the next day’s bread.
From Egypt, the practice spread through the great civilizations of the Mediterranean. The Greeks, and later the Romans, refined baking into both an art and a trade,
with sourdough at its heart. For centuries, this method remained the foundation of bread-making across Europe, valued not only for its ability to rise but also for the depth of flavour, improved keeping quali-
ties and digestibility it brought to the table.
Sourdough would take on new meaning centuries later during the Klondike Gold Rush, when prospectors carried their starters into some of the harshest conditions imaginable. In the cold northern camps, a reliable source of leavening was essential, and so treasured was this living culture that miners were often nicknamed “sourdoughs.” Their starters, carefully nurtured and fiercely protected, became as vital as any tool in their kit.
The Industrial Age brought change. With the introduction of commercial yeast, bread-making became faster, more predictable and increasingly standardized. Sourdough – with its slower rhythms and dependence on environment and care –faded from everyday use in many households. Yet it never disappeared entirely. In places like San Francisco, it endured, its distinctive tang becoming a hallmark of regional identity.
In recent years, sourdough has experienced a remarkable revival. Drawn by a desire for authenticity, flavour and a return to traditional methods, bakers have once again embraced the slow, patient art of fermentation. At its core, a sourdough starter is a living culture – unique to its environment, shaped by the flour it is fed and the hands that tend it. No two are ever quite the same.
To bake with sourdough is to participate in a tradition that spans millennia. It is a quiet reminder that some of the most enduring culinary practices are also the simplest: flour, water, time – and a little faith in the unseen.
Preserving My Starter
I dehydrate my sourdough starter using one of two simple methods:
1. Dehydrator: Spread a thin, even layer of active starter onto parchment paper and dry at a low temperature for 5 to 7 hours, until completely brittle.
2. Air-dry: Spread a thin layer on parchment paper and leave at room temperature for 24 to 48 hours, until fully dry.
Once dried, I break the starter into small shards or grind it into a coarse powder. Stored in an airtight container in a cool, dry place, it will keep for many years.
Bringing a Starter Back to Life Day 1
Combine:
10–15 g of dehydrated starter
60 g warm water
Mix thoroughly in a glass jar and let sit for 1 to 2 hours to rehydrate. Stir again, then add:
60 g flour
Mix into a thick batter. Cover loosely and leave at room temperature overnight. Day 2
You may see a few bubbles – if not, don’t be concerned.
Sourdough bread has a tasty and long history. Photo: Paul Legacy.
Discard half.
Add:
50 g flour
50 g warm water
Mix well and rest at room temperature for 24 hours.
Day 3
Signs of activity should now be visible – bubbles, a slight rise and a developing sour aroma.
Discard half.
Add:
50 g flour
50 g warm water
Mix and leave overnight.
Day 4–5
By this stage, the starter should reliably double in size within 4 to 8 hours and carry a pleasant, balanced sourness. It is now ready to bake with.
This method has worked consistently for me after storing my dehydrated starter for a month or longer. While some bakers prefer distilled water, I find local tap water works perfectly well in my area.
Note: This is a recipe that I have done several times from my dehydrated starter after I stored it for a month. There are many different recipes and methods, but I find this way works for me.
Sourdough responds best to warm, stable temperatures. Cooler conditions can slow fermentation considerably, often leading to sluggish activity or, in some cases, failure to properly develop. Happy baking!
You can follow Paul Legacy’s food blog: A Legacy in Thyme at https://www.facebook.com/share/1AvhVXYW3a/?mibextid= wwXIfr
The Path of a Paddler
BY FRANCESCA PACCHIANO AND GABRIELLE LEE
Carving and paddling are enmeshed with the Stz’uminus art of storytelling, and both practices help to keep their culture alive. Margaret Seymour, Tsul’tsi’miye’, is a prominent member of the Stz’uminus Nation, and for her, paddling ties back to language.
Margaret completed a Master of Arts at Simon Fraser University, where she wrote her thesis, Hul’q’umi’num’hwstey: Stories of Appreciation as a Paddler, on the intersection between sport and the Hul’q’umi’num’ language. “Paddling was never just a sport – it was a classroom of sacred teachings,” she said. “It taught us discipline, unity, respect and how to carry our bodies and spirits in a good way. Our Hul’q’umi’num’ language was meant to live inside that work: in the strokes, in the encouragement, in the way we moved as one.”
Margaret noted that, today, she rarely hears her community’s language being spoken on the beach or during races. The Hul’q’umi’num’ language family is endangered, with the First Peoples’ Map of BC records indicating that only 2.6 per cent of the Stz’uminus Nation speaks the language fluently. That number grows to 34 per cent when considering learners and semi speakers.
As a girl, she was inspired to learn Hul’q’umi’num’ fluently, as her paddle coaches instructed in it. This practice, she noted, has failed to continue today. “The deeper spiritual connection
between Hul’q’umi’num’ and paddling – that sacred harmony of breath, water, stroke and language – has weakened. It hurts to witness that loss, because our canoes once carried our language as strongly as they carried our bodies.”
There are efforts at community and university levels to encourage language development. In the fall of 2025, the University of Victoria, along with the Stz’uminus Education Society, launched a language revitalization certificate program. The program includes a diploma followed by a Bachelor of Education in Indigenous language in Hul’q’umi’num’. It is designed to encourage more people to learn the language and to facilitate an inclusive education system in the province. The first semester of the program included 17 students from the Stz’uminus Nation.
Margaret has watched the pace of war canoe paddling shift over the decades. “[The sport] once held a sacred and respected role in our community. It was strict, disciplined and full of purpose,” she said. “[Today], many struggle to make the sacrifices required. Healing has not begun for many of our people, and that shows up on the water.”
Still, Margaret continues to look toward the future. “I still believe in our people. I believe our youth can rise again. I believe the canoe can still bring healing and unity – but only if we return to our sacred teachings: respect, humility, discipline, commitment and walking in a good way.”
Inspired by her family, Margaret has helped organize the Kulleet Bay Races since 2012 as a means of keeping the tradition of paddling alive. “I want to honour those who shaped my path as a paddler, a mother and a Stz’uminus woman. My late papa, Edward Sr., was one of my greatest motivators. … I also carry the teachings of my late brother, my late grandfather and his late sister. Their stories, discipline and sacrifices still guide my heart.” She appreciates the impact of the canoe races on her children. “They live in how I raise my children, how I walk in my culture, and how I honour my ancestors.”
Adam Seymour paddling with family. (Right): Margaret Seymour, Tsul’tsi’miye with Adam Seymour. Photos submitted.
SailPast returns
Celebrate the official commencement of the Boating Season with the Ladysmith Yacht Club this year. SailPast, the traditional opening ceremony, will be held on May 9 at Transfer Beach, starting at 10 A.M.
This is a fun, family-friendly event featuring a flotilla of colourful and heritage boats. Also, on shore, enjoy the Salty Singers, a Piper, food trucks, face painting, vendors, and prizes.
Present will be distinguished guests and VIPs from the government, RCMSar, the Canadian Coast Guard, and more.
Dogpatch Under Fire
BY JACKIE ELLIOTT
Fifteen years ago, a boat fire in the Ladysmith Harbour ignited the debate about regulation of live-aboard and derelict boats in a section of the harbour –DL651, commonly referred to as “The Dogpatch.”
Today, despite several attempts by the community, municipal leaders and federal representatives, the Dogpatch is still an eyesore, and public health and safety issues remain a concern.
In 2012, the Viki Lyne II was found abandoned and towed into Ladysmith Harbour, by Transport Canada, where it remained for three more years. Public outcry mounted when it was revealed that the vessel was packing 20,000 litres of oil, posing a serious environmental threat. Following a harbour protest organized by Ladysmith Maritime Society and TAKE 5, the coast guard pumped out the oil and was towed away and broken apart.
Despite public pressure and five more boat fires, federal assistance was not forthcoming. In November of 2015, Mayor Aaron Stone and the Town of Ladysmith issued bylaw infraction notices to all boats moored or anchored in DL651 in an attempt to remove all derelict and abandoned vessels.
At the time, Stone said, “We’re getting
calls from the community members to do something and all that we have within our power is zoning enforcement.”
In 2017, the wooden boat Anapaya sunk in the Dogpatch, again prompting remedial action by the Coastguard. Finally – after pressure from community groups such as Ladysmith Maritime Society, the Ladysmith Chamber of Commerce, the Town of Ladysmith and then MP Sheila Malcolmson – new federal legislation was introduced, and Ladysmith received just over $62,000 in federal funding, which was used to remove a number of beached vessels in DL651.
Since then, derelict boats and unauthorized liveaboard vessels have continued to congregate in the Dogpatch. Earlier this month, a fire broke out, and more than five vessels were destroyed. No injuries or loss of life occurred this time, but again, the incident prompted concerns from the community about public safety and the stewardship of the harbour.
In the agenda for the April 21st Town of Ladysmith Council Meeting, under new business, a “recommendation that Council direct staff to prepare and submit a letter to the provincial and federal governments requesting timely intervention and cleanup within Ladysmith Harbour, with specific attention to DL 651 (‘Dog Patch’), including the removal of both floating and submerged derelict vessels” was introduced.
Councillors Virtanen, McKay and Stevens pointed out that letters written in the past had not resulted in action, and the best approach was to continue ad-
vocating for assistance from provincial and federal representatives, when opportunities presented themselves.
Councillor Stevens suggested that partnerships with Stz’uminus First Nation and the development of the Waterfront Plan would ultimately result in action, and that staff’s time was better spent elsewhere. It was established by Councillor Gourlay that at the present time, Stz’uminus First Nation is not the leaseholder of DL651, but he agreed that a letter “was not warranted” at this time.
Councillor Paterson argued that it was time for more aggressive action and that calling on the new Member of Parliament for help, and a trip to Ottawa was in order.
Mayor Beeston, arguing in favour of the motion, said that Dogpatch was no longer just a nuisance, and recent fires had proven that people’s lives are at risk.
The motion ultimately failed.
During a recent town hall meeting, MP Tamara Kronis expressed concern about derelict boats in Ladysmith Harbour and her willingness to pressure Transport Canada to reinstate funding programs that have recently ended.
When asked for comment after the motion failed in Council, Kronis said, “I would be delighted to hear from any citizen in Ladysmith on any federal issue that is important to them.”
In addition, MLA Stephanie Higginson said, “This situation requires coordination across jurisdictions, and I’m committed to doing what I can to support that work. I’ve spoken with many community members about the challenges in Dogpatch, including those
Ladysmith Yacht Club’s Commodore salutes boats at last year’s SailPast.
Photo: Bob Burgess
who live there, and I recognize the difficult circumstances they face. Everyone deserves a safe and stable place to call home, and that simply isn’t possible under the conditions that exist in the harbour today. Inaction isn’t an option, and I will press for a coordinated response that addresses safety, environmental concerns, and the well being of the people affected.”
Safe Boating Awareness Week, May 16–22
Most mariners yearn for spring, when they can get back on the water. If you are like most and start early, here are a few tips to make sure that you don’t get caught by an unexpected breakdown or an emergency on the water.
1. Safety Equipment
Start by reloading all your safety equipment onto the boat, making sure that each piece is in proper working order and that all powered equipment have fresh batteries. You can minimize the chance of getting stranded out on the water by ensuring that all systems on the boat are mechanically sound and that the gas tank is full with fresh gas before heading out. If you have a boat with external gas tanks, having a spare full tank on hand is a sound practice.
Check out the safety equipment required for the size of your vessel in the Transport Canada Safe Boating Guide (https:// tc.canada.ca/sites/default/files/2024-03/tp_511e.pdf).
2. Weather
In spring, the weather can change quickly, so always be sure to check the marine forecast before heading out and know your own and your boat’s weather limitations.
3. Marine Radio
With a VHF radio, you have a means of direct contact with a Coast Guard Search and Rescue Centre. Your distress message will also be picked up by other vessels who may be in a position to provide assistance close at hand. Before departing, tell a reliable person where you are going, when you expect to return and the number to call if you not return as scheduled.
Register for a Maritime Radio course at www.boatingcourses.ca.
4. Wear Your Lifejacket
As you head out, be sure to wear your lifejacket. The water is cold, and the shock you may experience with an unexpected fall could hamper your ability to swim or even simply catch your breath.
5. Re-boarding Device
And if you do end up in the water, have a way to get back in your boat unassisted. It can be as simple as tying a four- or fivefoot loop of rope to a cleat and coiled just inside the boat. Make sure that you can reach it from the water to use it as a step to get back into your boat.
Spring is a great season for getting back on the water, and with a little preparation, you can enjoy it safely so you can concentrate the adventure.
Royal Canadian Marine Search and Rescue Station 29 Ladysmith is your local volunteer marine search and rescue station, on call 24 hours/day. They are part of a larger network in BC of 29 rescue stations.
- Courtesy of the Canadian Safe Boating Council (https:// csbc.ca/en/), with additions from CanBoat (http://canboat.ca/) and Royal Canadian Marine Search and Rescue Station 29 Ladysmith (https://rcmsar29.com/).
RDN Area A
There are two significant potential developments occurring in the Cedar area: the lands to the west of Cable Bay Trail, and a proposed development in the Boat Harbour area off Holdon Corso. I wanted to share my advocacy work regarding these proposed developments.
The lands to the west of the Cable Bay Trail, a 74.71-hectare portion of 950 Phoenix Way, are proposed for rezoning into Heavy Industrial (I4) from current Rural Resource zoning (AR1). Included in this are proposed areas of “limited industrial uses” within 100 metres of the Cable Bay Trail buffer and within 50 metres of the south lot line next to Rural Residential lands within the RDN. These rezoning lands are in the City of Nanaimo and only Nanaimo Council has decision-making authority.
Below, I share excerpts from my letter submitted to City of Nanaimo as part of their public hearing process and as my attempt to publicly advocate for RDN residents.
The property that is proposed to be rezoned from AR1 to I4 sits at the border of Nanaimo and Area A of the RDN. Given the location, the decisions you make will have great impact upon the residents of Cedar who live nearby. To be clear, the RDN property next to 950 Phoenix is zoned Rural Residential, as are most of the other RDN properties in the area. I note that the staff report refers to the nearby RDN lands as “rural lands,” but neglects to identify these lands as residential. While the immediate property to the south is not yet developed, it is zoned as Rural Residential, and there are many other residents nearby.”
I focus my comments on the potential impacts on residents in Area A near these proposed rezoned lands, as their representative.
The “Staff Report for Decision March 23, 2026” references Nanaimo’s City Plan and states: “The Industrial designation is intended to accommodate industry … and may generate noise, vibration, or odours and include activities that are not suitable to adja-
cent Urban Centres, Corridors and Neighbourhoods.” Nanaimo’s City Plan “require[s] a substantial buffer of either natural or human made features … to residential uses between Light Industrial and residential designations.” Further, the City Plan also “require[s] that the development of new or existing Industrial Lands adjacent to or visible from the Provincial Highways … be designed to provide an attractive façade or natural buffer.” The Zoning Bylaw also states that I4 Zoning is “for heavy industrial development that is not compatible with residential uses.”
I note that Nanaimo “Zoning Bylaw, Pt 13 Industrial” requires setbacks of 7.5 metres for buildings but nothing for land use “where an industrial zoned property abuts a residential or corridor zoned property.” In comparison, the Zoning Bylaw requires a setback of 15 metres from ALR land boundaries for buildings and industrial land use. I confirmed with City of Nanaimo Planning staff that there is no required setback for industrial land use (as differentiated from buildings) from adjacent residential properties. In reviewing the proposed “Limited Industrial Uses Area” for 950 Phoenix, this means that land uses involving (as examples) log sorting and storage, railway yard, truck terminal, storage yard, or other industrial activities can occur up to the property line next to residential properties in Electoral Area A.
Given that Nanaimo’s own documents state (as indicated above) that 1) industrial activities are not suitable
adjacent to where people reside, 2) require a substantial buffer between Light Industrial and residential uses, and 3) even require a buffer or façade between Industrial properties and provincial highways, it is concerning to me that the current land use proposal does not include a substantial buffer between the land proposed as Heavy Industrial and the Rural Residential land to the south in Electoral Area A.
If Nanaimo chooses to move forward with the rezoning of 950 Phoenix to I4 zoning, I ask for consideration of their neighbours to the south in a manner consistent with what would be provided for City of Nanaimo properties as indicated by the City Plan. Specifically, I request that a substantial buffer of natural, forested or landscaped land of at least 30 metres be required between the proposed industrial property and the Rural Residential lands of the RDN. A buffer will help to address the impacts of light, sound, and air pollution from the industrial activities upon nearby but not immediately adjacent residential properties in Cedar.
The second proposed development is for a subdivision of three properties into 24 Lot Bare Land Strata with no lot being less than 2.01 hectares in size. These properties exist between Holdon Corso Road, Tiesu/Boathouse Roads and Ingram Road (PIDs 008-991-260; 002564-734; 002-564-530). You may know these properties as the ones that exist behind the red gate in Hemer Park at the end of the Morden Colliery Regional
(l-r) Trillium, Seal at Cable Bay. Photos Jackie Waysluk
Trail (MCRT).
Importantly, subdivisions in Electoral Areas are granted by an approving officer in the Ministry of Transportation and Transit (MoTT) – not the RDN. The RDN provides feedback to MoTT on subdivision proposals regarding our bylaws (e.g., Official Community Plans, Regional Growth Strategies, zoning), but the RDN has no decision-making authority in the process.
I believe this subdivision, as proposed, is of concern because a portion of these properties contain the former PCCM railway corridor, which is of great historical significance to the community. Many community members expressed their support of the Official Community Plan goal of extending “the Morden Colliery Regional Trail east of Hemer Provincial Park following the historic railway bed to Boat Harbour.”
As such, I am writing an advocacy letter to MoTT communicating that these properties contain the former railway corridor that fundamentally shaped the development of Cedar, and thus are of great historical significance to our community. My letter also identifies the relevant aspects of the Land Act that influence decision-making, and proposes that a solution that allows development and the preservation of this integral piece of community history is the best course of action. As is currently proposed, the development would adversely affect the conservation of a heritage site to an unacceptable level. However, I believe there is a solution that will not adversely impact the property owner and will honour our history.
In my letter, I explain the history of Cedar and South Wellington in relation to these properties. I will attempt to briefly outline the main information here.
Following the colonization of Snuneymuxw territory, settlers began to move into the area now known as Cedar and South Wellington in the 1860s. Logging and mining were the first industries that supported settlers. The community of South Wellington originated as a small mining town. The Fiddick brothers ran a mine in South Wellington (1907–1912) that was sold to Pacific Coast Coal Mines, Ltd. (PCCM) in 1913. Following a lengthy legal battle with coal baron James Dunsmuir, PCCM built their own rail line to carry their coal from Fiddick’s Junction to their shipping facility in Boat Harbour. Along the PCCM railway, the Morden Mine was created in 1912, and the “Morden Townsite” soon followed. The Morden Colliery Historic Provincial Park, at the location of the Morden Mine, was created in 1974 and honours the coal mining history of the Nanaimo Region.
The histories of Cedar and South Wellington are inextricably intertwined with coal mining and the PCCM railway. In recognition of the historical significance of railway to the community, the RDN began development of the MCRT in 1995 along the four-kilometre corridor of Provincial Crown land between Morden Colliery Historic Provincial Park and Hemer Provincial Park. This trail exists along the old rail grade used to move coal from the mines of South Wellington to Boat Harbour during the early years of the 20th century.
It appears that the right of way between Hemer Park and Boat Harbour was not preserved for unknown reasons. Documentation of the extinguishment of the right of way was not found in research efforts. It was there, and now it is gone. Historically, the community used the trail that followed the rail corridor to Boat Harbour until the current landowner restricted access.
The Land Title Act dictates how land can be transferred, used and what the approving officer (MoTT) can consider in subdivision approval. Of note, the Land Title Act (S86.1) allows the approving officer to “refuse to approve the subdivision plan, if the approving officer considers that … the anticipated development of the subdivision would adversely affect … the conservation of heritage property to an unacceptable level.”
Here’s my pitch: Given the historical significance of the railway corridor in the establishment of South Wellington and Cedar, I request that the approving officer in the Ministry of Transportation and Transit reject the current subdivision proposal and request a new subdivision plan that preserves the area where the former railway existed.
If you would like to learn more about these developments or want to share thoughts about anything Area A, please contact me at jessica.stanley@rdn.bc.ca or 250-268-7359.
CVRD Area H
Last month in TAKE 5, I wrote about the Comprehensive Zoning Bylaw (CZB) and noted the significance of zoning bylaws. When the first draft of the CZB was released last month ahead of broader public engagement, it prompted a level of public response that was immediate and significant. Area H was taking notice, but I don’t think it was from my article. And that reaction highlighted gaps: the process did not connect with people in a way that built understanding early on, and many residents only became aware of the details once the draft was already on the table.
At meetings on March 26 and April 1, directors raised a number of concerns that also reflected some of what I was hearing from residents. One issue stood out in particular for Area H: the removal of agriculture as a permitted use on properties in the Diamond. For many, to say this was a major change is an understatement, as it went directly to how they use their land and how they see their community.
It’s fair to ask how something this significant made it into a draft without broader awareness, and it’s equally clear that once it did, the community responded quickly and clearly. Since then, I have received hundreds of emails – not only about the CZB, but also about the Official Community Plan (OCP) and proposed Amendment Bylaw 4632. The concerns are consistent: impacts on property rights, livelihoods and the character of local communities. There is also a common question about how we got to this point.
At the same time, there has been confusion about what’s
new and what already exists in current bylaws – for example, around enforcement provisions such as fines or property access. These are not new provisions. However, if people are only learning about them now, that points to a need for clearer communication. It also reinforces how important it is for residents to review and ask questions about existing regulations, not just proposed changes. What I am hearing now is a clear message: slow down, improve clarity and create more meaningful opportunities for people to engage. For that reason, I supported the Board’s decision to pause further work on the CZB, along with related OCP and Development Permit Area (DPA) amendments. This pause is not about avoiding decisions – it is about taking the time to reset the process so that it works better.
With the local government election approaching (October 17), residents will have an opportunity to ask questions, hear different perspectives and help shape the direction of this work. That only works if people participate. Good decisions depend on both clear information and an engaged community. A pause, however, is only useful if it leads to a better approach. That means clearer information about what’s being proposed, what’s changing, and what’s not. It also means creating opportunities that work for the community for earlier input – before draft bylaws are formed. At the same time, it requires residents to stay informed, review materials and take part in those conversations. The Cowichan Valley is not a one-size-fits-all place, and that diversity of perspectives is only reflected when people show up and engage.
There is still important work ahead. Land use clarity, environmental protection and housing are ongoing challenges that will not go away. Moving forward, success will depend on both a communication that works and a consistently engaged community. To continue this conversation, I will be hosting a Director’s Town Hall at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, May 5, at the North Oyster Community Centre. The agenda is simple: your questions.
Lastly, I wanted to add that since the announcement of Mary Marcotte’s passing, I have been asked about a dedication to Mary Marcotte. To this end, I made a notice of motion to ask staff to explore renaming the North Oyster Fire Hall as a dedication to Mary. That request will come up at the May 27 Board meeting. I look forward to your response to this proposal. To be on the public record, send an email to legislativeservices@ cvrd.bc.ca.
ben.maartman@cvrd.bc.ca; 250-510-5930
CVRD Area G
Saltair Water Update
Saltair is moving towards a more affordable and sustainable water treatment solution – one that significantly reduces costs while maintaining local control.
First, thank you to everyone who came out to the March 8th community meeting. It was great to see such a strong turnout and to have a respectful, thoughtful conversation about something that affects every home in Saltair.
This update is a simple follow-up on where things stand and where we’re headed next.
Saltair’s water comes from Stocking Lake. While the water quality is good, the source is surface water, and Island Health requires filtration to meet modern drinking water standards.
This is not optional; it’s a legal requirement. A compliance order has been in place since 2020, and we need to move forward with a solution.
For many years, the plan was to build a standalone filtration plant just for Saltair. At the time, it made sense. The community approved borrowing, and grant funding was secured. But as the project moved into detailed design, the reality became much clearer.
What changed was costs increased significantly, technical requirements became more complex and long-term operating costs rose well beyond expectations. The result:
• $11 to $17 million to build
• $500 to $800 per home, per year to operate
On top of that, the system would still rely on aging infrastructure that would require replacement in the future.
At that point, it became clear: this approach was not sustainable for Saltair.
Instead of building a full treatment plant in Saltair, a new approach is now being advanced. It combines:
• New groundwater wells in Saltair (coming online Spring 2026)
• Treated water from Ladysmith is used only during higher demand
What this means:
• Saltair continues to own and operate its system
• Wells supply most of our everyday water
• Ladysmith provides backup when needed
Cost Comparison at a Glance Hybrid Approach (Recommended):
• $4 to $5.5 million total cost (mostly grant funded)
•~$100 to $300 per home, per year
Standalone Plant (Previous Plan):
• $11 to $17 million total cost
• ~$500 to $800 per home, per year
What that means for you:
• Less than half the upfront cost
• Lower yearly costs for households
• Reduced long-term financial risk
• Keeping local control
Saltair will continue to:
• Own and operate its water system
• Maintain its share of the dam and Stocking Lake
This approach allows us to meet modern standards without giving up control of our local water system.
Why This Approach Makes Sense
• Lower cost for residents
• Faster timeline to implementation
• Shared infrastructure, reducing financial burden
• More resilience, with two water sources instead of one
It delivers safe, compliant drinking water in a way that is practical and sustainable for our community.
We are now in the refinement phase. Work underway includes:
• Finalizing an agreement with Ladysmith
• Confirming detailed costs and timelines
• Reviewing funding implications
There are currently restrictions in place tied to Island Health requirements. Once a clear and approved path forward is established, those restrictions can be lifted.
CVRD staff have been working on this file for over three years. Through changing regulations, rising costs and technical challenges, they have continued to refine options and work towards the best possible outcome for Saltair. This work hasn’t always been visible, but it has been steady, thoughtful and focused on the community. We are very fortunate to have this level of expertise working on our behalf.
We are also fortunate to have a neighbour like Ladysmith. The ability to work together, share infrastructure and support one another is not something every community has. That relationship is a key part of what makes this solution possible.
From the beginning, my focus has been to find a solution that works, and make sure the community is part of the decision. That commitment remains unchanged. This is one of the most important infrastructure decisions Saltair will make. There is no perfect solution – but there is a responsible one. And we’re getting closer to it.
The hybrid approach offers:
• Lower costs
• Lower risk
• Faster delivery
• A more sustainable system
Most importantly, it gets us to compliance while protecting the community from unnecessary financial burden.
If you have any questions please reach out. 250-252-6525 | jesse.mcclinton@ cvrd.bc.ca
The Cultural Legacy of the Garry Oak Ecosystem
BY CATHERINE GAUTHIER, EDUCATION COORDINATOR AT WILDWOOD ECOFOREST
Old Coastal Douglas-fir forests are incredibly complex, living mosaics where a multitude of distinct systems cohabit to create a thriving and resilient habitat for local fauna and flora. Within this intricate ecological patchwork lie some of our most endangered and precious landscapes: the Garry oak (Quercus garryana) ecosystems. These are so rare that all associated vegetation types are cur-
rently red-listed by the province, meaning they are at risk of being extirpated, endangered or threatened.
Garry oak ecosystems occur within our near-Mediterranean climate, regulated by the ocean and the rainshadow effect of the mountains, creating a distinctive zone of moderate temperatures and dry summers. Many species require this specific ecological setting to thrive, making Garry oak ecosystems provincial biodiversity “hot spots.” In British Columbia, they are associated with 694 plant species, 104 birds, 33 mammals, seven amphibians, and seven reptiles, which include over 100 species at risk that depend specifically on these sundrenched spaces to survive and flourish.
These landscapes include a mosaic of woodlands, meadows, grasslands and rocky areas. The meadows represent the open spaces that grow lush with colourful wildflowers – a real seasonal spectacle! Some of the well-known and vibrant flowering species in Garry oak ecosystems are the white fawn lily (Erythronium oregonum), the chocolate lily (Fritillaria affinis), the broad-leaved shootingstar (Primula hendersonii) and
the characteristic, unmissable blue common camas (Camassia quamash).
While these meadows are best known for their beautiful seasonal display, their significance runs much deeper. They are the living legacy of a sophisticated cultural food system tended by local Coast Salish First Nations for millennia prior to European settlement. Through traditional stewardship, such as low-intensity prescribed burning, these communities intentionally managed the land to keep the canopy open and the land productive. This Indigenous management prevented ecological succession from allowing the forest to transition into a closed-canopy coniferous type, which would have shaded out sun-loving species. Such active stewardship transformed the landscape into a “cultural ecosystem” and a highly productive “food pantry,” enabling the sustainable harvest of camas bulbs, barestem desert-parsley (Lomatium nudicaule) and chocolate lily for food, medicine and trade.
At Wildwood, we steward Garry oak “parkland” remnants, a type of irregularly wooded landscape. Though degraded, as are most remaining Garry oak ecosystems, a visitor with a keen eye can still witness a beautiful display of flowering species. Currently, the blue camas (Camassia quamash), western buttercup (Ranunculus occidentalis), blue-eyed Mary (Collinsia parviflora) and false onion (Triteleia hyacinthina) serve as a vibrant, living symbol of the landscape’s past.
Today, only five per cent of the original Garry oak ecosystem remains in a natural state due to the displacement of Indigenous Peoples, land-use change, invasive species and fire suppression. Restoring these sites is critical to maintaining the region’s biological mosaic, enhancing habitat connectivity and ensuring that these landscapes – which hold profound historical, cultural and spiritual meaning – continue to flourish.
On the third Sunday of every month, Wildwood offers guided tours of our forest. For more information and to register, please visit our website: www.ecoforestry.ca/tours/public-tour.
Camas field. Photo: J. Baker
What’s In a Name?
BY PAMELA WALKER
Yellow Point, I’ve been told, is named after the pretty little yellow stonecrop (Sedum spathulifolium) that grows naturally between the rocks all along our sea’s shore. Now, however, the extremely invasive goldmoss sedum (Sedum acre) – that’s still sold in many nurseries! – is out-competing with the stonecrop.
In Cedar, the tall red cedars that for millennia have been part of our ecosystem are now struggling in the dryer conditions associated with climate change. Ladysmith’s name was once Oyster Harbour. The First Nations’ tended to
the large oyster and clam beds that flourished in the clean tidal waters for years. Settlers replaced the native oysters and clams with more profitable ones. Due to pollution from logging and other endeavours, however, no shellfish harvesting is permitted anymore.
In contrast to these regrets, the Cinnabar Valley – the small hamlet north of Ladysmith – has a good news story attached to its moniker. Cinnabar takes
its name from a tiny black-and-red moth that was brought here (I know, I know) from the UK in the mid-1800s in order to battle the tansy ragwort –a poisonous, invasive weed. The moth loved its new home and thrived so well
(l-r) Cinnabar moth (Tyria jacobaeae). Cinnabar caterpillar. Photos submitted
that they decided to give the area the name of the newcomer.
Perhaps you have seen these little flutteries flittering around your garden or along the ditches and lowlands? Unlike most moths, which are nocturnal, cinnabars (Tyria jacobaeae) work during the day. The moths emerge this time of year just as the tansy is starting to flower. Over the next few months, they will dine on the leaves and flowers, look for a mate and find a good place in which to lay their eggs.
The eggs that were laid last year are hatching now, and tiny cinnabar caterpillars are emerging with voracious appetites. They will munch and grow until they become big black-and-yellow sausages. Their unusual colouring reminds one of roadway caution signs, yellowjackets and wasps. The caterpillars are toxic because they eat the poisonous tansy, which can even kill sheep, horses and cows. People have tucked tansy under their hats to ward off mosquitos and even used it for the embalming process. But the little caterpillars thrive on tansy.
At the end of the summer, the nowplump cinnabar sausages will seek a cozy, mulchy spot to pupate. Once they find the perfect place, they enclose it with delicate silk fencing threads and partially bury themselves underground. After covering themselves with a comfy cocoon, they settle in for the winter. The springtime is when we see the results of their metamorphic miracle as they emerge as winged things.
The red markings on their wings are the colour of the mineral cinnabar. Notably, the mineral is also toxic. When mined, it is the source of mercury and of the red paint called vermillion. Van Gogh coloured the bedspread in his famous bedroom painting with vermillion. Had he known how toxic his brush was, it might have given him nightmares. Luckily for artists today, red paint is made using much safer stuff.
So that is the story of the name for the Cinnabar Valley. And the moral of the story is manyfold: avoid buying invasive plants; plant native plants for our moths and butterflies to eat; don’t disturb leaf litter, as you may be disturbing myriads of creatures; and be cautious of yellowand-black road signs.
If you want to help with local projects that help our natural world, contact us at yellowpointecologicalsociety.ca.
Historic diary surprises
BY QUENTIN GOODBODY
You never know what will turn up in your attic – especially if you belong to a family with deep roots on Vancouver Island. In September 2024 Michael Gould, a local resident, called in to the Ladysmith Archives with two plastic shopping bags full of family papers he wanted help with. Amongst the documents and photographs was a bundle of four notebooks held together with twine. On inspection, these turned out to be a daily diary written in 1870/1 by Thomas Russell, Michael Gould’s great great grandfather, chronicling his seven-and-a-half-month sojourn superintending a coal mine in the then extremely remote Skidegate Inlet, Queen Charlotte islands (now called Haida Gwaii).
Thomas Russell was an early immigrant to Vancouver Island. He arrived at the age of 16 from Scotland in January 1853, just 6 years after the Hudson’s Bay Company moved its Pacific Northwest headquarters to Fort Victoria, and only 3 years after the island was declared a Crown Colony. How he ended up superintending a coal mine is a rather sad tale, to be revealed. His beautifully written diary reads like an adventure novel with near shipwreck, horrendous accidents and injuries, bush medicine, interactions with the Haida First Nation, whites and Asians, character sketches of scurrilous and honorable individuals, shoddy and dishonest work by previous company employees, a complex and thin coal deposit, a disgruntled workforce, and delayed pick-up at the end of their contract (caused by the coal company having gone bust) which led to food shortages prompting perilous lengthy dugout canoe journeys in search of victuals.
l-r) Kerry Parker (cousin to Michael Gould), Kaetlen Bursey (Saanich Archives Supervisor), Michael Gould (donor and great great grandson of Thomas Russell).
Photo: Quentin Goodbody
References to the numerous whales, whaling activities, abundant salmon and dogfish populations seen on the trip up from Victoria to the Queen Charlottes on the sloop ‘Thornton’ provide insight into the natural abundance of the Gulf of Georgia (now called the Salish Sea) prior to late 19th century devastation through colonial overharvesting.
Backed by extensive research by Quentin Goodbody of the Ladysmith Archives into people and places mentioned in the diary, Thomas Russell’s diary provides a remarkable window into the social and commercial environment of a time in British Columbia’s history when rapid colonial expansion was occurring against a backdrop of extensive First Nations depopulation and cultural erosion.
Join the Ladysmith & District Historical Society on May 7, at 7pm on Zoom to hear Quentin Goodbody introduce the tale. Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81233431103
If you’re feeling energetic, you can access the diary online and immerse yourself in its background by looking up the website ‘Ladysmith Historical Society Thomas Russell Diary’.
