by Loni Taylor | Sep 28, 2023 | CKTZ News
Wildflower Produce had its first successful year of ginger crop make it to market this month on the island. This is the second time local farmer Sara Stewart has grown the crop, but last year’s abnormally wet spring posed challenges. Even growing in a greenhouse didn’t protect the farmer’s crop. “Last year, the ginger didn’t do well because even though it was in a greenhouse in the exact same conditions, we had an unusually cool, wet long spring,” Stewart said, saddened. “We had ‘June-uary’ for six months, it was like completely demoralizing.” Due to climate change, Stewart notes that the mental health of farmers continues to decline and has become a serious issue. “In Canada, the suicide rate for farmers is three and a half times the national average. So having things like climate change on top of something that’s already stressful is very challenging,” Stewart said. Two Canadian organizations are acknowledging this issue by offering services through Agsafe and the Canadian Centre for Wellbeing. Stewart has utilized these resources, and encourages other market farmers to seek it out. With some optimism, Stewart will continue to expand her growing in greenhouses as she utilizes the infrastructure year round now. “If things were unlimited, I would have 10 greenhouses. It just makes things so much easier.” To hear more about how climate change is affecting farmers, listen to the CKTZ News Update below:...
by Loni Taylor | Sep 28, 2023 | CKTZ News
The Old Schoolhouse Gallery saw more engagement than ever before this past year, and there are still plans for educational workshops in October. Chairperson Kristen Scholfield-Sweet reported at the AGM on Sept. 17 that the gallery saw 1,380 visitors this year, up from 670 in 2022. They also managed to feature 15 artists across seven shows and an additional 21 artists for the members show. “At every level, in terms of proposals and member contributions, and just coming out and enjoying art. It was just a great year,” Scholfield-Sweet said. But the year is not over yet, thanks to Grant-in Aid funding from the Strathcona Regional District, there will be more art curriculum offered to the public this October in the Old Schoolhouse building. Before the gallery became an official society last year, the building sat vacant for about eight months a year. Heating is still an issue in the building, so there is consideration to offer more art classes through this winter at another location. To hear more about the growth of the Old Schoolhouse Art Gallery, listen to the CKTZ News Update below:...
by Loni Taylor | Sep 27, 2023 | CKTZ News
The Campbell River-Quadra-Cortes ferry route endured the biggest changes seen in a decade this past season, and now the company will hear feedback from the local Ferry Advisory Committee (FAC). BC Ferries is hosting a semi-annual meeting with the FAC at Mansons Hall on Wednesday. Michael Lynch has been a chairmen for the FAC for five years, and noted there is more feedback coming from Cortes Islanders than from his home on Quadra. He explained the community’s opportunity to address BC Ferries executives directly. “So far, there’s no members of the public that have asked for time to make a presentation, but they still have time to approach me and do so if they wish to.” Lynch noted 14 points will be discussed in the agenda and several issues raised by Cortes Islanders will be included. Mainly, the chairman mentioned connectivity between the two routes, with four ferry runs on the Campbell River side linking up to a singular run on the Cortes side. In relation to the Cortes Island feedback, Lynch discussed priority loading in Campbell River and the “first-come, first-serve” intention of the terminal staff. Staffing the ferries is another issue that he noted feedback on, which he relates to housing constraints on Cortes Island. The meeting is open to the public to listen, but they can only participate if they make prior arrangements with Lynch. There will also be an open house for the public to directly engage with BC Ferries staff after the meeting at 3:30 p.m. BC Ferries has advertised a virtual option to attend the meeting, but community members are required to reach...
by Loni Taylor | Sep 25, 2023 | CKTZ News
This year, Randy Louie was included in the Old Schoolhouse Art Gallery’s member show for the first time. Louie is the second member of the Klahoose First Nation to be featured in the Gallery’s member show after Kenny Hanuse. The annual show is a collection of works by the society’s members who apply to be included in the show. This year, the show concluded on Sept. 10, but one of Louie’s carvings, featured in the member’s show, remains featured at the Hollyhock gift shop. Louie is a member of the Klahoose and the Malahat First Nations; he says his familial identity lead him to wood carving sculpture. Klemkwateki, one of Louie’s cultural names, was initiated into paddle carving about 9 years ago by his cousin Darren Blaney, Chief of the Homalco First Nation. It was then that the budding artist completed his first miniature paddle. But Louie was 16 when he completed his first wood carving. Louie also has a cultural name from his Malahat great, great grandfather-whom was also a fisher, paddler and paddle carver. Louie has also spent many years as a spiritual dancer, which is part of supporting familial celebrations. Louie noted the contrast of black to abalone was his new ‘signature’ aesthetic. Louie noted the abalone, “brings the animal to life”. Photo and art by Randy Louie. Family is central to the time he spends carving these small paddles, that are worn like pendants, which he estimates he has made 4,000 of to date. “A lot of my time is spent carving those paddles, preparing for family in the winter time and preparing for the...
by Loni Taylor | Sep 15, 2023 | CKTZ News
A gender diversity workshop at Mansons Hall on Cortes last week was the first of its kind, but an organizer said the attendance was low. “I was a little surprised at how it wasn’t better attended than it was, because I would think that anybody, aside from interest in supporting gender diversity… and decolonization, anyone who wants to work with the public in any capacity probably should have some kind of training in gender diversity,” Facilitator Connie Quayle noted. The public event was funded by the Cortes Community Foundation through a microgrant and was free to attend. Quayle offered a similar, private workshop for Hollyhock employees earlier this year. Quayle, a BC certified teacher, said that those that attended the public workshop, participated in a lively discussion. “I love how sometimes the folks on this island can get so inspired and so curious and really do sink their teeth into topics when presented with them.” Quayle described one of the reasons gender diversity is more and more visible in Canada. “I’ve had my human rights as a trans person protected in BC now since 2016. A few years now,” Quayle said. “And so more of us are coming out because we have our human rights protected for the first time ever.” Quayle has reached out to the Cortes Community Health Association (CCHA) and the Cortes Island School to offer her educational services in gender diversity. The educator hopes more businesses, schools, non-profits and families, will connect with her when seeking out local resources on gender diversity. She also runs a training model where private businesses can fund the workshop...
