Feels Like Coming Home: Life In Small Town Northern Alberta I grew up in northern Alberta. Something about this place keeps pulling me back even after I left many years ago. Distinctively not the “South” but not the “North” in Canadian terms, northern Alberta is not a place that people go out of their way to visit. Like all rural…
Elsipogtog: residential school gravesopen old wounds for New Brunswick reserve Elsipogtog First Nation (River of Fire) is a Mi’kmaq First Nations community which sits on the shores of the Richibucto River in Eastern New Brunswick. Formally known as Big Cove and Richibucto Indian Reserve it has a population of 3,400 people, making it the largest reserve in the province. Chief…
In The Shadow of The Dams: The Legacy of Manitoba Hydro on Province’s First Nations It was shortly after dusk when our float-plane arrived on the trapline along the Churchill River in Northern Manitoba. Within a few hours we heard our first call from across the river. “Moose,” said Chaiton Spence, who’s father Robert, a band councillor from Split Lake…
British Columbia’s Forgotten Opioid Crisis Five years into BC’s overdose emergency more families are struggling than ever Story by Sarah Berman/photos by Jackie Dives Glenn Young was in treatment for opioid addiction when COVID-19 lockdown first hit in March 2020. His mother Pam Young says his plan at the time was to stay in treatment for a full year, and…
What is life like for members of the LGBTQIA2S+ community in rural Quebec? In 2018 photographer Simon Émond and author Michel Lemelin started reaching out to members of the community to better understand their personal experiences with gender and sexuality. After more than 30 encounters over the course of two years the two artists compiled their stories into “Rebâtir le ciel” (Reconstructing the Cosmos).
Caribana Reflections Toronto’s Caribana is the world’s largest Caribbean-themed celebration. Due to the spread of COVID-19, earlier this year Caribana was cancelled for the first time in 52 years. Although it will now be taking place in a very limited capacity, given the current political climate and the progress of Black Lives Matter, the lack of a full-blown celebration in the…
The Working Women of Newfoundland Joann Greeley had to pose as a man to get a job in her trade. After returning to school at 35 to become an electrician and graduating with top marks, she phoned every electrical company in St. John’s, only to be told they had no opportunities for her, while her male colleagues got hired. “I…
Nunavut’s Young Hunters:Program in Iqaluit aims to pass on Inuit tradition to next generation It was an unseasonably warm sunny day last October, yet myself and half a dozen Inuit youngsters were bundled up in parkas and snow pants to keep us warm from the Arctic winds blowing up from Frobisher Bay. Alex Flaherty and Kevin Kullualik, experienced hunters and…
Taking on Nestle: How a grassroots movement in small-town Ontario is fighting a water extraction giant The first thing Donna McCaw heard from her neighbours when she began speaking out against the opening of a newly proposed Nestle-owned well alongside a small number of vocal community members was “you guys are crazy.” She now more frequently hears the phrase “I…