by CKTZ | Sep 8, 2023 | Uncategorized
This summer, the Canada Summer Jobs wage subsidy helped two local students return home for the season. Affordable housing, the draw to visit home, and learning opportunities motivated Lilly Allen and Manuel Perdisa to apply for local jobs that were subsidized by the summer student program. The students reflected on the experience with CKTZ as they were finishing up their contracts at the end of August. The two returned to the University of Victoria last week to continue their studies. Allen and Perdisa are part of a larger generation of Cortes locals, a result of a “baby boom” that occurred 20 years ago. Like many island youth, they left Cortes to attend high school on Vancouver Island, since there was no high school on Cortes at the time. Returning to work for local non-profits was an opportunity for both students to return for an extended period of time, since leaving for school and university. Allen worked for the Cortes Island Museum and Archives, which utilizes the subsidy to hire a host for the busy summer season. Allen noted the educational benefits of the job. “I could learn about the local community that I grew up in and I’m slowly drifting away from. As I grow up and grow older and I’ve started to do more things with my life and I wanted to really reconnect a little bit.” Perdisa said homesickness contributed to his decision to return to Cortes. “It’s nice to settle back into it, hang out with the family, see what’s changed.” The professional experience for the young locals was the biggest takeaway. “It’s been able to...
by Bryan McKinnon | Sep 5, 2023 | CKTZ News, Uncategorized
As everyone who knows him knows, Rick gives so much to the Cortes Community, to the Reiki Community, and to his family and friends near and far. We’ve probably all seen him on stage at Love Fest, a lip sync, benefits for island organizations, a square dance, a gig, and more often than not, making people laugh. Rick hasn’t been feeling full strength lately, and last week learned that he needs a triple bypass. He will have the surgery in Victoria in mid to late September. Rick and Carina have been given a wonderful house near the hospital to start his recovery in, but they live on a very limited income and he will be unable to work again until into the new year. They will need funds to cover the back and forth travelling, medicine, living expenses and so much more. Our goal is to take the financial stress off of Rick so that he can relax fully into healing. Please help our dear friends in anyway you can. CLICK HERE TO DONATE TO RICK’S GOFUNDME PAGE Thank you, Rick’s family and...
by CKTZ | Aug 29, 2023 | Uncategorized
Michael Datura will be joining the Cortes Island School this year as the new principal. Datura has 14 years of experience in outdoor learning, social justice, and imaginative education and says Cortes is his ‘favorite place on earth.’” He adds that he’s community-focused and has a mission. “One of my goals and mandates is to make the school a more community-oriented place where people feel welcome to drop by and chat and hang out, or volunteer and organize events.” The new principal began his journey in education on Cortes in 2004, attending the Linnaea garden program and working as a Zilla for Power of Hope. Datura just completed his PhD in environmental education at SFU last February. Datura told CKTZ about his initial expectations around outreach. “I think being a principal of a community is always a complex role,” he says. “And I think particularly within a community like Cortes, it’s really important to to get feedback and maintain open lines of communication.” “As is the case whenever any principal leaves, there’s this sort of period of flexibility and fluid re-imagination right now,” he adds. “So it’s a good time to get your two cents in.” Datura is hosting a public gathering on Sept. 2 at 5 p.m. at Smelt Bay for community members to stop by and offer input as to how the school can be more community oriented. To hear more about this new chapter at the Cortes Island School, listen to the CKTZ News Update...
by Bryan McKinnon | Aug 13, 2023 | CKTZ News, Uncategorized
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by Loni Taylor | Aug 2, 2022 | CKTZ News, Uncategorized
Mansons Hall will host the first Dance Temple event of 2022, but there are more to come. Photo by Naomi Jason. Connie Quayle and her partner, Val Lange are bringing Dance Temple to Cortes Island next week. Quayle is a former resident of Cortes, returning to live on the island after spending the last five years in Victoria. It was there, in the city, that Quayle first connected with Dance Temple. “Every Sunday morning we have it in Victoria - ecstatic dance. I’ve hardly missed a week, even throughout the pandemic, still putting on headphones and dancing on the beaches,” Quayle explains. “Ecstatic dance is completely freeform dance…Movement for the sake of joy and release.” “It’s also a completely sober space. And usually there’s a held container. Certain rules, like no talking in the space, using cell phones outside the space, no technology within the container,” Val adds. The ecstatic dance enthusiasts plan to help make Dance Temple a regular occurrence on Cortes. “My vision would be something like four or five people involved co-holding it and having it run regularly, but it might take a couple years… So for now, maybe just every couple months just to get the ball rolling,” Quayle says. Quayle and Lange are bringing Dance Temple to Cortes Island at Mansons Hall on Aug. 6. The event is scheduled from 730-930 p.m. Music will be by DJ N Joy, aka Naomi Jason, one of the founders who helped develop Dance Temple on Salt Spring Island and Victoria. Quayle will be offering a sound therapy session at the end of the evening by playing the...
