Discover stories about the people, places, and history of the Comox Valley through written accounts, videos, articles, and books.
21 stories
VideoA rare little fish, a new mom and finding wonder in a backyard creek.
by CBC Docs • YouTube
Underwater camerawoman Tiare Boyes returns to Morrison Creek, the backyard stream that shaped her childhood on Vancouver Island. Once seeking far-off expeditions and adventures, she now finds herself navigating the rhythms and challenges of new motherhood while searching for inspiration closer to home.
CollectionThrough the sharing of oral histories and traditional skills, our goal is to reawaken our community heritage.
by Lake Trail Neighbourhood Connections
During a year of public programs with the Living History Project, young and old joined forces in workshops, events and the gathering of stories from some of the Lake Trail area’s most vital characters. Their compelling stories give bright glimpses into an age of farming and industry, when a “sea of stumps stretched all the way to Powerhouse Road”, and horses were more common than motor cars.
ArticleOn its 40th year, Miners Memorial Weekend honours the workers Cumberland's coal mines killed.
by Arden McLeod • CBC News
Cumberland's coal mines killed an estimated 321 workers, including 64 men and boys in the 1901 No. 6 Mine explosion. On the 40th Miners Memorial Weekend, this piece looks at why the town still gathers every year to remember them.
Videoby Comox Valley Healthcare Foundation
At 55, Chris Lamont didn’t expect to discover a new passion – BMX racing. But one summer ride ended abruptly.
Podcastby More of That, Please!
What do you want to see more of in the world? 🌍 Exploring everyday people's bold ideas for a better future!
ArticleWWI veterans were promised farmland in Merville. What they got was a forest of stumps.
by Kelly Black • The Discourse
In 1919, WWI veterans founded a soldier settlement in Merville and were handed land still choked with massive old-growth stumps. This piece traces how that land got cleared and at what cost.
Podcastby Comox Valley Writers Society
Beyond the Page brings together readers and writers from the Comox Valley and beyond.
PodcastThis is Vancouver Island
by CBC Podcasts
This is Vancouver Island is by islanders, for islanders. Each week we catch you up on a local news story, or celebrate an element of life in our region.
ArticleThe largely erased story of the Black miners who came to Cumberland in 1889.
by Madeline Dunnett • The Discourse
Roughly 60 Black miners arrived in Cumberland from Pennsylvania and Ohio in 1889 seeking work. This piece digs into what's known, and what's been lost, about that community and its place in the town's history.
ArticleSaving an endangered butterfly on Denman Island, with help from an unlikely conservation crew.
by Brian Payton • Hakai Magazine
Conservationists, including incarcerated women in a captive-breeding program, are working to save the endangered Taylor's checkerspot butterfly, with breeding and habitat restoration centred on Denman Island and reintroduction on Hornby.
ArticleChrissy Steele toured with rock's biggest names, stepped away for decades, and is back.
by Scott Stanfield • Comox Valley Record
Chrissy Steele grew up in the Comox Valley, earned a Juno nomination in 1992 for a hard rock album, and toured with major acts before stepping away from music for decades. Now she's releasing music independently again.
PodcastA Comox Valley Record journalist takes a deeper look at who and what makes the Valley what it is.
Comox Valley Record / Black Press Media
by Erin Haluschak
Journalist Erin Haluschak sits down with local figures, community organizations, and newsmakers for a closer look at what makes the Comox Valley tick: sports, culture, environment, local history, and civic issues.
ArticleGogs Gagnon turned his diagnosis into a book now handed to newly diagnosed patients across the province.
by Mike Chouinard • Comox Valley Record
Diagnosed with prostate cancer at 57, Gogs Gagnon wrote "Prostate Cancer Strikes: Navigating the Storm" about his diagnosis and treatment. The book is now distributed provincewide by the Prostate Cancer Foundation BC to newly diagnosed patients.
Podcastby Mudsharks Coffee
Some of the best conversations in life come over a great cup of coffee.
CollectionA museum-produced anthology of Cumberland's layered, complicated history.
by Cumberland Museum and Archives (ed. Rhonda Bailey) • Figure 1 Publishing
An essay collection covering Cumberland's coal-mining disasters, historic Chinatown and Japanese-Canadian community, mountain biking culture, and more produced by the Cumberland Museum and Archives alongside a companion exhibition.
by Lou Allison and Jane Wilde • Caitlin Press
Having relocated to Comox, Jane encountered a new group of women who travelled to the Comox Valley in the 1970s. Fascinated by their stories, Lou Allison and Jane Wilde return to their dynamic partnership to bring us an anthology that shines a light on these trailblazing women and their unique stories.
PodcastThe Edible Valley Podcast
by Jonathan Frazier and William Stringer
Welcome to the Edible Valley podcast, where we explore the vibrant world of food through the lens of local farms, kitchens, and culinary adventures. Join us for engaging conversations, interviews, and food tips as we uncover the delicious secrets of our Edible Valley. From farm-to-table experiences to mouthwatering recipes, satisfy your craving with us.
ArticleAs the Comox Glacier disappears so does part of the local culture.
by J.B. MacKinnon • Hakai Magazine
An in-depth exploration of the K'ómoks First Nation's history, culture, and continuing presence in the Comox Valley region.
by Kim Bannerman • Fox&bee
Lizzie's mother is dead, and left in the care of her prim older sister, the 15-year-old fears her carefree ways are over. But when tragedy strikes again, Lizzie discovers a sinister web of lies and deception, of murders past and present. Fierce resentments and racial tensions boil beneath the illusion of civilization. Soon, Lizzie finds herself ensnared in a secret that stretches from the opium dens of British Columbia and the alleys of San Francisco to the jungles of Panama and beyond -- and it's a secret that the murderer will do anything to protect.
Paula Wild, Boomer Jerritt and Rick James provide an intimate portrait of an incredibly beautiful and special place.
by Paula Wild, Rick James • Harbour Publishing
In a blend of stunning colour photographs and lighthearted, informative text, the book explores the mountains, rivers, beaches and sheltered waters of this unique geographic region.
A novel of the Merville soldier settlement, from a writer who grew up there.
by Jack Hodgins • McClelland & Stewart
Set in fictional "Portuguese Creek" — modeled on Hodgins's real hometown of Merville — this novel follows WWI veterans building a soldier settlement in 1922, and the wildfire that threatens to take it all away. Winner of the Ethel Wilson Fiction Prize.