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Hamilton Spectator
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Hamilton Spectator
Fate of Yankee trade ship Tonquin brought to life in play at Tofino's Village Green
By Nora O'Malley Local Journalism Initiative Reporter Tofino, B.C. – Children playing 'Tla-o-qui-aht warriors' paddled in cardboard cutouts of dugout canoes around the wooden pirate ship play structure at Tofino's Village Green to recount the fate of the Tonquin. The 269-ton American trade ship sank to the bottom of Clayoquot Sound in 1811 after being overwhelmed by the warriors – and blew up. As told by Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation's Gisele Martin and her father Joe Martin on June 11, the Tonquin's goal was to establish a trade post and claim the region as part of the United States of America. The Tonquin's captain Jonathan Thorn, who was played by Tofino resident Hugo Hall, was brash, and not well-liked by his crew. Thorn wanted to trade for sea otter furs with Gisele's great, great grandfather Nookmis. But when Nookmis told him the price for one pelt was three blankets, 30 beads, 30 buckets and three knifes, Thorn scoffed and shoved the otter pelt in Nookmis' face. In the novel Astoria by American historian Washington Irving, which chronicles the entire journey of the Tonquin, Thorn is said to have 'slapped' the chief in the face. The next day, angry Tla-o-qui-aht warriors boarded the ship and threw the captain overboard. 'The captain got clubbed by the women and disappeared under water,' Gisele regaled the audience on the sunny June 11 afternoon. One crew member, James Lewis, who was played by Clayoquot Action's Dan Lewis, allegedly scuttled to the bottom of the ship and lit five tons of gun powder. 'KA-BOOM!' Joe exclaimed as the children ran around the mock Tonquin ship with sparklers. 'Sparks flew and Nookmis got thrown overboard.' Tonquin's crew and roughly 100 brave Tla-o-qui-aht warriors perished in the sea. Martin says Lewis became the first 'suicide bomber' of Clayoquot Sound. 'People in Opitsaht could see the mass of the ship for three years poking out of the water. During that time, Tla-o-qui-aht became very diligent about protecting this coast,' said Gisele. It wasn't until 20 years later that Tla-o-qui-aht started having a relationship with some of the British trading companies. 'That's why Tofino is here today and that's also why this is not part of the United States today. We've never sold this land. We've never ceded it; we've never signed it away in a treaty,' said Gisele, noting Tla-o-qui-aht's fight to protect Meares Island from old growth logging, preserving the source of Tofino's drinking water. '[I]n 1984 Tla-o-qui-aht took the government all the way to the Supreme Court of Canada. In their own courts, the government could not prove that they owned this land.' Forty-one years ago, Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation, with support from the Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council (NTC), famously declared Meares Island the 'Wanachis Hilth-huu-is Tribal Park' under Nuu-chah-nulth law. The Meares Declaration protected the old-growth forest from being logged, and is recognized as one of the largest demonstrations of civil disobedience in North America. Prior to the conservation stance, there was no 'tribal park' in existence under provincial or federal legislation. The wreck of the Tonquin was never found… But one day in the spring of 2000, a local crab fisherman found his trap hooked on the end of an old, old anchor – that anchor, encrusted with blue trading beads, is believed to be the Tonquin's. The anchor is on display at the Village Green in the gazebo to this day and belongs to the Tla-o-qui-aht. -30- Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
Hamilton Spectator
11-06-2025
- General
- Hamilton Spectator
New signage on Ucluelet's Wild Pacific Trail honours Yuułuʔiłʔatḥ's Bob and Vi Mundy
By Nora O'Malley Local Journalism Initiative Reporter Ucluelet, B.C. – A new series of interpretive signs along the Ancient Cedars section of the Wild Pacific Trail pays tribute to the legacy Bob and Vi Mundy, the Yuułuʔiłʔatḥ couple who shared priceless traditional knowledge with the west coast. Bob passed away on May 5, 2024. Vi passed shortly after on July 31, 2024. 'We couldn't imagine in our family Bob without Vi or Vi without Bob. They came as a unit, and they were really beautiful to watch. They were a testament to not giving up on each other,' said Jeneva Touchie during a June 7 ribbon cutting ceremony. 'Bob would open the door for her, even in the rain, until the day he passed,' said Melody Mundy. The new Ancient Cedars signage features an audio box framed with a carving by Kevin Touchie and six interpretive panels sharing Yuułuʔiłʔatḥ teachings, developed by Carey Cunneyworth and Jeneva Touchie. Wild Pacific Trail President Barbara Schramm says the audio box, which records Jeneva's voice, brings local voices to the Old Growth Forest. 'We didn't want to repeat the same old, same old. We wanted this done so people could learn in the right way,' said Schramm. One of the oldest trees on the Ucluelet Peninsula is now showcased with a new deck featuring interpretive signage explaining sustainable plank harvesting practices – it's also where hikers can find the memorial plaque dedicated to Bob and Vi Mundy. Cunneyworth is an archeologist and the Yuułuʔiłʔatḥ Government's director of culture, language and heritage. He said the special old growth stand is culturally modified tree (CMT) and protected archeological site. 'Bob and Vi taught us how to be with the land, be with family and to take care of your community. We see a lot of that in this tree. It's quite a special tree,' said Cunneyworth. He shared that at one point, 100 years ago, Yuułuʔiłʔatḥ ancestors would take big strips off the tree to use for houses, carving or boxes. There is also a large hollowing in the tree that he says was a cache ancestors used for storage - and it may have been a bear den at some point. 'It's such a powerful testament to the forest and really giving back,' said Cunneyworth. 'It's something we can all learn from, and I know Bob and Vi really talked about that; being intimately connected to the forest and how to take care of it. I really think this whole trail with the CMT here and the knowledge they put into the signage really represents how much love they had for the Yuułuʔiłʔatḥ community and the Ucluelet community.' Ucluelet Mayor Marilyn McEwen says the new signage 'provides a legacy of culture learning for residents and visitors, alike.' 'This meaningful initiative honours Indigenous knowledge, language and the enduring relationship between people and forest ecosystems that has shaped this region for millennia,' said McEwen. Vi was a board member of the Wild Pacific Trail Society and had a 'quiet, patient way' of sharing traditional knowledge for signs throughout all Ucluelet and the region. 'Her impact ripples to this day through all the societies on the west coast,' said Schramm. 'I'm really grateful for everything they were willing to share with us,' Jeneva adds. 'They taught us to share what we know. It's really hard to imagine sometimes how to carry language without Bob around. But we are doing the best we can.' The Mundy family plans to scatter the ashes of Bob and Vi Mundy in the sea near Black Rock Resort, Vi's favourite place to eat. Three years in the making, the audio box, signage and CMT deck project was made possible through the leadership of the Yuułuʔiłʔatḥ Government with support from the Province of BC Resort Municipality Initiative, Clayoquot Biosphere Trust, Black Rock Resort, the Wild Pacific Trail Society and the District of Ucluelet. Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
Hamilton Spectator
11-06-2025
- Business
- Hamilton Spectator
Next steps underway to replace Hummel Bridge
It has been over a year since the Hummel Bridge was closed to all traffic Hummel Bridge spans the South River, connecting the Township of Nipissing with the Municipality of Powassan. Travelling west along Highway 534 from Powassan, a turn onto Alsace Road leads to the bridge The bridge was closed on Friday, May 31, 2024, after a recommendation from HP Engineering, which inspected the bridge and had concerns about the structural integrity. Soon after the closure, Peter McIsaac, Powassan's mayor, told BayToday, 'It's a situation that we're going to do our best to quickly rectify and get back to normal.' See: Work on Hummel Bridge could begin next year However, a new bridge is costly, and although the Township of Nipissing and the Municipality of Powassan are working together to fund the project, the estimated $3.5 million cost is a difficult expense to cover. Provincial funds are necessary to complete the project, and last August, delegates from Nipissing and Powassan approached the Minister of Infrastructure, providing estimates for the bridge project. An application for funds was also submitted, and council is waiting to hear back on that. The township's Chief Administrative Officer, Kris Croskery-Hodgins told council, 'We have not heard anything on the funding application. We have not had any updates.' The goal is to have the project shovel ready, by completing the required studies and securing the proper permits before work can begin. Once shovel-ready, the Township of Nipissing and Powassan will be better positioned to obtain provincial funds. At that point, they can issue a tender for the work and have a clear picture of the overall cost. The first studies to be completed will be the Heritage Impact Study and the Archaeological Studies. While those are underway, the Topographical Survey can also begin. The cost for all three is $20,000, as detailed in a report to Nipissing's council prepared by Croskery-Hodgins. Croskery-Hodgins noted, 'Both councils have agreed that completion of those studies and permits in order to prepare the project for a shovel-ready approach is a priority in 2025.' David Briggs is a Local Journalism Initiative reporter who works out of BayToday, a publication of Village Media. The Local Journalism Initiative is funded by the Government of Canada. Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
Hamilton Spectator
10-06-2025
- General
- Hamilton Spectator
Pacific Rim National Park Reserve reminds public to be mindful of wolves on the landscape
By Nora O'Malley Local Journalism Initiative Reporter Long Beach, B.C. – Recent reports of a pack of sea wolves in the Pacific Rim corridor acting habituated towards humans has prompted Parks Canada to issue a public reminder about how to stay safe and respect these animals. Francis Bruhwiler is a specialist in human-wildlife co-existence in Pacific Rim National Park Reserve (PRNPR). He says the pack is likely the same two or three coastal wolves acting 'very indifferent' when they see people. 'If you want to break that down, it's a loss of the natural human fear we would like them to have,' said Bruhwiler. 'That behaviour is concerning because of that loss of that wariness towards humans. It seems like it's faded a little bit.' 'Habituated wolves have been happening for at least 30 years,' he continued. 'We've had way worse. In 2017, they were in parking lots. It's not there, we're not there, but we don't want to get to that place. If everyone can take this seriously, we feel like that wariness of humans that they need can be maintained.' The human-wolf interactions started back in April when a pair of wolves showed up in downtown Tofino, according to Bruhwiler. 'There's a lot of food in those communities. And I'm not talking human food, I'm talking about dogs, cats, racoons, deer… There's a lot of prey right where we live and I think that's what people have to remember,' he said. Sea wolves primarily eat a marine-based diet; they are known to feed on otters, salmon, harbour seals, herring eggs, clams, mussels and whale or sea lion carcasses. They also go for racoons, small deer and injured black bears or cubs. Another April dispatch to Parks Canada involved a wolf walking by a visitor in the PRNPR without any fear. Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation also posted a bulletin on their community board on May 2 asking residents of Esowista and Ty-Histanis to walk in groups or pairs while being careful and diligent, particularly at sunset and night. A pair of wolves were regularly sighted in the communities, which are located just north of Long Beach. How to reduce human-wolf conflicts 'Put your dog on-leash. That's a big one. A dog on-leash is way safer,' says Bruhwiler. 'I've seen big dogs killed here by wolf. I've seen dead dogs. We don't want to go back there. This is what we are trying to avoid.' Managing all attractants like putting food away before going out for a surf and not going up to the animal to take photos will also help keep the 'wild in wildlife', notes Bruhwiler. 'Let's say a wolf is on the beach and around, the best thing we can do is make it obvious that we don't want it nearby. Make noise, group together. Exactly like seeing a black bear. If the wolf is there and doesn't want to leave then we leave,' he said. Parks Canada works in collaboration with Tla-o-qui-aht and Ucluelet First Nation to monitor the wolf activity in the region. 'We have a lot of strong teachings from wolves in Nuu-chah-nulth cultures across many nations and families,' said Tla-o-qui-aht Tribal Parks Guardian Gisele Martin. 'A lot of teachings have to do with respecting natural law, with upholding traditional ecological roles or about doing the things that need to be done to make things right in this world, is associated with wolves.' She explained that it is against Nuu-chah-nulth traditional law to harm or disturb wolves. 'It's also part of our culture to give wolves right of way because they are so integral in maintaining the balance of life in nature. They have the same role in ocean as orca whales,' said Martin. 'If you encounter a wolf, back up. Give them the right of way. Don't be wolf paparazzi.' Martin shared that the 'qʷa' in the Nuu-chah-nulth word qʷayac̓iik (wolf) is seen in other words or phrases that translate to 'be good like that', 'things that we need to do to make things right in the world' and 'bow of the canoe'. 'The bow of the canoe, that's what gives us direction and is shaped like the head of a wolf,' said Martin. In June 2024, the ʔapsčiik t̓ašii Trail (pronounced ups-cheek ta-shee) multi-use pathway that connects Ucluelet to Tofino was officially opened, creating an influx of cyclists through the Pacific Rim corridor. The paved pathway is roughly 40-kilometres long and weaves through the traditional territories of the Tla-o-qui-aht and Yuułuʔiłʔat as well as the shoreline in the Long Beach Unit of Pacific Rim National Park Reserve. 'The trail definitely has an impact on the land and the place,' said Martin. 'The Banana slugs who cross it, they have important duties to do in the forest. It's just not the wolves; it's everybody that lives there. It's something to be mindful of.' On May 7, a deceased juvenile gray whale washed up on Long Beach and is still on the landscape, but the carcass is not 'readily available to wolves', according to Bruhwiler. 'With the whale that washed in, we did not have any wolf interactions at that time. They are their own little minds and maybe they had other things on the go,' he said, adding that sea wolves are incredible swimmers and could travel from Long Beach to the Broken Group Islands in days. Martin encouraged people to familiarize themselves with the ʔiisaak (ii-saak) Pledge , which outlines respectful behaviours and practices that can be used as guidance on how to relate to wolves and wolf habitat. 'Every plant and animal, living being, every insect, has something important that they contribute to the community of life. Wolves are really integral to that whole process,' Martin said. If you see or encounter a wolf in the Pacific Rim National Park Reserve, report it Parks Canada dispatch at: 1-877-852-3100. -30- Captions A remote Parks Canada wildlife camera captured this image of a wolf or qʷayac̓iik (pronounced qwa-ya-tseek) near Long Beach, B.C. on Vancouver Island in 2020. (Parks Canada photo) Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
Hamilton Spectator
10-06-2025
- General
- Hamilton Spectator
MV Nadon Coming to Degnan Bay
Emily Carson-Apstein Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Gabriola Sounder Several community members attended the April 17th Gabriola Islands Trust meeting to express their concern about a large boat that was going to be arriving at Degnan bay. They reported that the 58 foot catamaran has been purchased from the Vancouver Maritime Museum by a Gabriola resident who intends to moor it in Degnan Bay. The community members did not know the identity of the boat's new owner. Trustees expressed concern over the lack of specificity surrounding the boat's use, and the number of existing abandoned vessels in Degnan bay. The community members said that four large concrete blocks have already been placed in Degnan Bay (potentially in sensitive eelgrass habitat) to serve as mooring buoys for the large vessel. While putting out mooring buoys is permitted under current bylaws, eelgrass habitats are managed by Fisheries and Oceans Canada who are mandated to ensure that proposed developments do not negatively impact existing eelgrass beds. Eelgrass is an important part of the west coast ecosystem, acting as habitat for fish and invertebrates, and as a carbon sink to store greenhouse gases. The concerned community members were encouraged to reach out to the Department of Fisheries and Oceans to find out whether the mooring for this boat constitutes a damaging development, but no new information from them was available at the time of publication. Since the April 17 LTC meeting, the Sounder has identified the boat's owner as local shipwright Mitch Burns, and the boat as the former police vessel MV Nadon. Nadon was built in 1991 and patrolled the waterways surrounding Vancouver Island until it was decommissioned in 2016. It is a 58 foot fully aluminum catamaran currently undergoing repairs in Steveston. Burns says the concrete blocks are not staying where they were placed in the shallows of Degnan bay, but will become multiple moorings for the boat (one in Degnan outside of the eelgrass habitat, one near Brickyard, and one at a different island). When asked what his intentions are for the future of the vessel, Burns replied: 'Pleasure use, with a removable sauna pod, and a cedar tub in the works come fall. 'Any interest here feel free & encouraged to reach out and get involved. Potentials for the intended use of the vessel in the future include facilitation in oil spill response, coastal clean up endeavours, and shipwright services and contract work down the road.' Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
