Aug 21 - Camosun hosts international Indigenous education conference

Good morning !

We’ve got your rundown on the trails that have reopened—and those that have remained closed—in Sooke after the Old Man Lake fire was brought under control. Do you plan to go hiking out there?

— Robyn

Today’s approx. read time: 5 minutes

🌡️ Weather Forecast

Today: ⛈️ 16 / 13

Tomorrow: ⛅️ 21 / 13

Day after: ☁️ 19 / 14

7-day forecast

NEWS

Indigenizing education is the focus of delegates to Camosun’s S’TEṈISTOLW̱ conference

Educators and Indigenous leaders from across the globe are convening at Camosun College’s Lansdowne campus this week for the fourth S’TEṈISTOLW̱ (steh-nees-taoh) Conference. Running until August 23, the conference—hosted by Eyēʔ Sqȃ’lewen: The Centre for Indigenous Education & Community Connections—focuses on building a community in its theme ‘Where the Waters Meet.’

The event brings together over 430 participants, including a 40-member delegation from New Zealand, to address ongoing challenges and opportunities to advance Indigenous education. Camosun College, a major public institution in Canada, serves about 1,300 Indigenous students and emphasizes land-based learning and Elder engagement.

Conference sessions will explore topics such as Indigenous curriculum design, data sovereignty, and transformative pedagogy through Etuaptmumk/Two-eyed Seeing. There will also be a market featuring local Indigenous vendors and artisans.

Amanda Butler, a student organizer, highlighted the event’s inclusivity, allowing participants to engage with Indigenous culture through local crafts. Todd Ormiston, executive director of Eyēʔ Sqȃ’lewen, emphasized the conference's role in advancing Indigenous education by focusing on progress and walking forward together rather than on past struggles.

Ormiston’s reflections underscore a long-term vision for integrating Indigenous perspectives into higher education, a push supported by historical and more contemporary efforts. While 2022 saw the first cohort of dual law students from the University of Victoria, only 16% of Indigenous Canadians hold a university degree, compared to 23% with college credentials in 2024.

Keynote speakers include Hayalthkin’gem Carey Newman, Qwul’sih’yah’maht Robina Thomas, and Kim Anderson, who will address the transformative potential of Indigenizing education. The conference aims to foster partnerships and drive systemic change within both Indigenous-controlled and mainstream institutions.

Read the full story by Sidney Coles here.

⚠️ Capital Bulletin

Road closure: BC Hydro work at Burnside & Washington starts tomorrow. 9am-3pm. 

Heavy rain and thunderstorms forecasted for the East Island today from Nanoose Bay to Comox Valley. Possible storms expected in Victoria as well.

Driving today? Check the current traffic situation via Google.

NEWS

CRD reopens some trails to visitors after Sooke wildfire

After closures took place in July due to the Old Man Lake fire, visitors are now able to use trails within the Sea to Sea Regional Park, Sooke Potholes Regional Park, and Galloping Goose Regional Trail as of last week. The District of Sooke’s Potholes Gateway has also reopened along with BC Parks in the area. But not every trail is ready to welcome visitors.

The areas were closed on July 22 after a suspected human-caused wildfire was discovered and burned out of control for about a week, reaching a peak of 230 hectares. 

By Aug. 7, the fire was considered under control but is still currently active. 

“Crews from the CRD continue to work in collaboration with the BC Wildfire Service to closely monitor the fire and will do so well into the fall months,” said the CRD in a press release. 

Until more progress is made, the CRD will keep certain trails and portions of parks closed for the foreseeable future.

Head to the Westshore for more details on the trails that remain closed.

SPONSORED BY THE BUTCHART GARDENS

Evenings at The Butchart Gardens

Plan a visit to The Butchart Gardens to take in a performance during the final two weeks of the Outdoor Summer Concerts, Wednesday through Saturday nights. Catch concerts by The Bills, Chris Millington Band, Stephen Fearing, Backbeat and more. Don’t miss the final two fireworks shows of the season on Saturday nights.

Evening entertainment and fireworks are included in the price of admission.

Make the most of your visit by having dinner in The Dining Room or Blue Poppy Restaurant. Enjoy local, fresh ingredients, expertly prepared by talented chefs in one of the most beautiful settings in the world!

End your visit with an evening stroll through the gardens as over 3,000 subtle lights transform the gardens into a magical wonderland of light and shadow.

⭐️ Capital Picks

🐙 Little tentacles: Barnacles moulting on the beach in Tofino. [Facebook photo]

🌕 Full moon rises above cruise ships at Ogden Point. [Facebook photo]

🤝 Now hiring: Seed and Gift Store Supervisor at Butchart Gardens.

🗞️ In Other News

New middle school to be placed near Costco 
The Sooke School District announced that the province has secured a 7.2-acre site at 2460 Gateway Rd. for a new middle school in the north of Langford. The new land is located across from a future secondary school site, purchased in 2019, and is part of the district’s plan to deal with increasing families and students. 

Island Health plans facilities for hard-to-house patients after safety complaints from nurses
A request for proposals for a new or repurposed facility with up to 30 one-bedroom suites in Nanaimo is slated to be issued in a month by the health authority, followed by a request for proposals for a 40-bed facility in Victoria. These facilities will offer round-the-clock care for those dealing with severe psychosis issues. This comes after nurses at Dufferin Place long-term care home in Nanaimo complained of issues with younger violent patients, some using substances. [Times Colonist]

Ditidaht Nation celebrate saving Cheewhat Lake for future generations
After years of deforestation damaged critical salmon runs and traditional harvesting lands near the lake, conservation efforts began in 2019 led by the First Nation, Parks Canada and scientists. Since then, most of the damage has been reversed. One biologist on the project said if the FN and Parks Canada hadn’t interfered, sockeye salmon in the area would have died off entirely. Climate change is still affecting the lake, but the 2025 salmon run is expected to be the biggest yet. [CHEK]

SPONSORED BY SPROUT FAMILY HEALTH

Say goodbye to rushed appointments — experience preventative, family-focused care

Imagine a new kind of healthcare experience. Warm, welcoming, and designed for families. A person on the other end of the line when you have a question. And a specialized team with big hearts and big brains. Sprout is focused on prevention and longevity instead of just reactive illness care.

In-person, over the phone, or virtual appointments that are easy to book and never rushed. Extras like developmental milestone checks and an annual Dexa body composition scan. It’s wonderful care for families.

The Sprout team will see you now. 

🗓️ Things to do

🎹 Louise Rose: Alone Together: The Canadian jazz vocalist and pianist performs at Hermann’s Jazz Club tonight. 7pm. [Info]

🖼️ Out of the Mist and Into the Light: This curated exhibition in Colwood at the Arts & Culture Centre showcases the work of 10 artists across a range of disciplines. Until Sept. 20. [Info]

🎭 Fringe Eve Preview: Get a taste of what the Victoria Fringe Festival has to offer in Market Square today with two minute previews of each of the festival’s performances. 4:30pm [Info]

🎵 John Fogerty: See the Creedence Clearwater Revival frontman at this solo show at Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre. Fri. 7:30pm. [Info]

🎉 Pagliacci’s 45th Anniversary Street Party: Celebrate this community gem with live music and dancing in the street in front of the restaurant. Sat. 4-10pm. [Info]

🇯🇲 🇹🇹 🇬🇾 i-Land Caribbean Festival: Check out Victoria’s first-ever Caribbean Carnival event at Centennial Square, with a parade down Government, live music—featuring soca, calypso, and reggae—delicious food, history info, and kids activities. Parade at 11am, festival at 12pm. [Info]

👀 In Case You Missed It

Tuesday newsletter: Hundreds of new homes coming to Uptown; Small fires after weekend lightning storms; Filmmakers fined for getting too close to orcas. [August 20]

Late-night eats in Victoria. [Tasting Vic]

Sea angels: Seen drifting above an eel grass meadow near the Island. [Photo & video]

Harbour seal plays it cool on a kelp bed as an orca swims by. [Photo]

More than 115K people visited Parksville sand sculpture fest. [Nanaimo News Now]

Island paralympians heading to Paris. [CHEK]

That’s it!

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