Harry Corro

JOURNALIST

Indigenous Affairs & Reconciliation

Lake Cowichan Gazette •

Tsawout Nation goes high tech to safeguard historic waters off Vancouver Island - Lake Cowichan Gazette

The waters of Tsawout First Nation in Saanichton Bay are now under closer watch thanks to the deployment of a state-of-the-art marine monitoring buoy.
The bright yellow, 1.7-metre Watchkeeper buoy, dubbed "QEN’T Junior," represents a significant step towards enhanced marine stewardship and the safeguarding of culturally significant ocean spaces.
Developed in partnership with AXYS Technologies, the buoy was deployed on July 4 after months of meticulous planning and coordination with agencies such...
Victoria News •

Tsartlip powwow in Brentwood Bay honours heritage and community connection - Victoria News

The vibrant sounds of drumming and singing filled the air as the 30th annual Sampson Family Intertribal Powwow, “Honouring WƏTANMY,” concluded on Sunday, July 27, after three days of celebrating Indigenous culture and fostering unity.
Tribes from across Washington state, along with Cree and Mohawk relatives and various Vancouver Island First Nations, gathered in the field behind the LAU, WELNEW Tribal School in Brentwood Bay to participate in the festivities.
Over 2,000 people visited the powwow...
Campbell River Mirror •

VIDEO: Indigenous artist leads project to restore Vancouver Island welcome poles - Campbell River Mirror

One of the first things Tsawout First Nation artist Bear Horne carved was a small killer whale made of red cedar. He was eight.
He learned the traditional art of wood carving from his father Doug LaFortune, a celebrated artist known for his impactful creations, including towering totem poles that grace Vancouver Island.
The art form quickly became a family tradition, culminating in collaborative projects like the 30-foot winged Coast Salish style totem pole erected for Butchart Garden's centenni...
Chemainus Valley Courier •

VIDEO: Tsawout First Nation rids Vancouver Island bay of derelict boat - Chemainus Valley Courier

A derelict 37-foot boat that has been an eyesore and a source of frustration for over six months on the edge of Saanichton Bay at James Island Wharf was finally removed from the water on Friday, July 4, thanks to the initiative of the Tsawout Nation.
The removal of the boat 'Waterfront' was spearheaded by Tsawout Nation Fisheries manager and principal negotiator Chrissy Chen, who seized the opportunity while coordinating the deployment of a crucial marine resource management buoy.
"The nation me...
Saanich News •

Enduring legacy: WSANEC School Board documentary coming to Sidney theatre - Saanich News

A new documentary film chronicling over five decades of the WSANEC School Board's history near Brentwood Bay is set for its first public theatrical screening on June 28 and 29.
I,SETEN E TTE CESE SXENANs TENEW – Walking In Two Worlds, a 2024 feature-length film, tells the story of the former Saanich Indian School Board and its enduring legacy.
The documentary, co-produced and co-directed by Emily Olsen, honours the work of the late Philip Paul, whose 1990 documentary captured an earlier chapter...
Victoria News •

‘A powerful film’: Victoria’s Story Pole dedicated to Indigenous veterans - Victoria News

For decades, visitors to Victoria's Beacon Hill Park have marvelled at the towering totem pole, one of the tallest in the world.
Erected in 1956, the 133-foot cedar masterpiece, carved by a team led by renowned Kwa-kiutl tribal chief Mungo Martin alongside his sons, stands as a testament to Indigenous artistry and cultural heritage.
However, beneath the surface of this iconic landmark lies a deeper story, one of remembrance, sacrifice and the ongoing journey of truth and reconciliation.
Now, a n...
Victoria News •

WSANEC conference in Saanichton focused on Indigenous learning at young age - Victoria News

A groundbreaking gathering of early childhood educators (ECE) is set to take place on April 12 in Saanichton, focusing on integrating Coast Salish cultural teachings and practices into early years learning.
Ada Mawson, organizer of the first-ever WSANEC Early Years Conference, came up with the idea during one of her regular early learning circles around the end of 2024.
“I live on the reserve, I live on Coast Salish territory,” Mawson explains. “We have so many amazing people in our territories,...
Peninsula News Review •

Recently resolved 40-year Haida conflict comes to Sidney’s big screen - Peninsula News Review

On Feb. 17, the Haida Nation signed a historic agreement with the federal government to recognize Aboriginal title over Haida Gwaii, an archipelago off British Columbia's northern coast.
The Big Tide Haida Title Lands agreement affirms the Haida have Aboriginal title on all of the islands' lands, beds of freshwater bodies and foreshores to the low-tide mark.
The deal ended a four-decade conflict that started with a logging blockade and escalated into a fierce legal battle.
It's timely news for a...
Sooke News Mirror •

Parks foundation secures land to protect North Saanich old-growth forest - Sooke News Mirror

The largest remaining tract of old-growth and mature Douglas-fir forest on the Saanich Peninsula is in the beautiful LAU,WELNEW/John Dean Provincial Park in North Saanich.
It sits next to six hectares of land which is now designated as a protected extension of the park.
On Tuesday (Nov. 26), BC Parks Foundation announced the purchase of three parcels of land that run along the park's edge which will now protect one of the last stands of old-growth Douglas fir and Garry oak on the Saanich Peninsu...
Nanaimo News Bulletin •

VIDEO: Island First Nations family unveils memorial on Indigenous Veterans Day - Nanaimo News Bulletin

On Friday (Nov. 8), Indigenous Veterans Day, an engraved stone was unveiled in honour of the Underwood brothers of Tsawout First Nation who served in the Second World War.
George served with Princess Patricia’s Light Infantry involved in the last ground fighting in Italy. Benjamin was with the Royal Canadian Engineers helping to build roads and bridges to transport supplies and resources. Edward who served with the Canadian Scottish Regiment, survived the war and was going to be trained as an of...