Karissa Gall

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In a release on Friday, July 31, 2020, West Coast Fishing Club staff said they were “shocked” by the ministerial order restricting non-resident travel to Haida Gwaii that went into effect on July 30. (The West Coast Fishing Club/Facebook photo)

Fishing lodge ‘shocked’ by B.C. ban on travel to Haida Gwaii as COVID-19 cases spike

West Coast Fishing Club ‘shocked and stunned’ by travel restriction put in place July 30

In a release on Friday, July 31, 2020, West Coast Fishing Club staff said they were “shocked” by the ministerial order restricting non-resident travel to Haida Gwaii that went into effect on July 30. (The West Coast Fishing Club/Facebook photo)
FILE - Tanny and Hanny the goats are pictured in Prince Rupert before they were forced to live the city due to its Livestock Prohibition Bylaw. On Tuesday, July 28, 2020, Skeena—Bulkley Valley MP Taylor Bachrach hosted a virtual town hall about food security that included discussion on “Granny Gardens,” owning livestock within municipal boundaries and more. (Shannon Lough/The Northern View file)

Northwest B.C. food security forum discusses ‘Granny Gardens,’ goats and more

Skeena—Bulkley Valley MP Taylor Bachrach hosted town hall with Jessie Housty, Alistair McGregor

FILE - Tanny and Hanny the goats are pictured in Prince Rupert before they were forced to live the city due to its Livestock Prohibition Bylaw. On Tuesday, July 28, 2020, Skeena—Bulkley Valley MP Taylor Bachrach hosted a virtual town hall about food security that included discussion on “Granny Gardens,” owning livestock within municipal boundaries and more. (Shannon Lough/The Northern View file)
Virtual town hall on July 28 will examine food security in B.C.’s northwest

Virtual town hall on July 28 will examine food security in B.C.’s northwest

Skeena—Bulkley Valley MP Taylor Bachrach hosting guests Alistair McGregor, Jessie Housty

Virtual town hall on July 28 will examine food security in B.C.’s northwest
Clint Johnson Kendrick, a resource management officer for Gwaii Haanas, discovered an invasive European green crab on Saturday, July 4, 2020 in Daajing Giids. (isawthistoday/iNaturalist photo)

‘A grave concern’: European green crabs discovered on Haida Gwaii

Aggressive invasive species discovered in Skidegate Inlet; working group formed to decide next steps

Clint Johnson Kendrick, a resource management officer for Gwaii Haanas, discovered an invasive European green crab on Saturday, July 4, 2020 in Daajing Giids. (isawthistoday/iNaturalist photo)
Curfews have been put in place for Old Massett (pictured) and Skidegate following a Council of the Haida Nation community bulletin on Friday, July 17, 2020 announcing that they had received a self-reported case of COVID-19 on the islands. (Wikimedia Commons photo)

Council of the Haida Nation reports case of COVID-19 on Haida Gwaii

Community members notified of possible exposure; Old Massett, Skidegate set curfews

Curfews have been put in place for Old Massett (pictured) and Skidegate following a Council of the Haida Nation community bulletin on Friday, July 17, 2020 announcing that they had received a self-reported case of COVID-19 on the islands. (Wikimedia Commons photo)
A Google Maps view of Kung, B.C., in close proximity to the Queen Charlotte Lodge. As of Friday, July 10, 2020, the ancient Haida village of Kung is one of two villages being occupied by a group of Haida matriarchs who say local fishing lodges should not be reopening without Haida consent. (Google Maps screengrab)

Haida matriarchs occupy ancient villages as fishing lodges reopen to visitors

‘Daughters of the rivers’ say occupation follows two fishing lodges reopening without Haida consent

A Google Maps view of Kung, B.C., in close proximity to the Queen Charlotte Lodge. As of Friday, July 10, 2020, the ancient Haida village of Kung is one of two villages being occupied by a group of Haida matriarchs who say local fishing lodges should not be reopening without Haida consent. (Google Maps screengrab)
A screenshot of a video posted to social media on Saturday, July 4, 2020 shows Queen Charlotte Lodge fishing vessels boating by local residents. The incident at sea has been described as “dangerous” by both Duffy Edgars, chief councillor for the Old Massett Village Council, and lodge president Paul Clough. (Brandon Kallio image)

Following incident at sea, fishing lodge says it will reopen despite Haida travel ban

QCL reopens July 10, says president; Haida chief councillor describes ‘dangerous’ boating encounter

A screenshot of a video posted to social media on Saturday, July 4, 2020 shows Queen Charlotte Lodge fishing vessels boating by local residents. The incident at sea has been described as “dangerous” by both Duffy Edgars, chief councillor for the Old Massett Village Council, and lodge president Paul Clough. (Brandon Kallio image)
Kittens surrendered to the Gwaii Animal Helpline are pictured in this submitted photo. (Leila Riddall/Submitted photo)

‘Increasingly centralized approach’ leads Haida Gwaii SPCA council members to resign

Former BC SPCA members say proposals currently under consultation do not favour small communities

Kittens surrendered to the Gwaii Animal Helpline are pictured in this submitted photo. (Leila Riddall/Submitted photo)
In a letter dated Tuesday, June 2, 2020, the Sandspit Volunteer Fire Department disclosed to residents that it had accidentally sent a wire transfer of almost $100,000 to fraudsters in May. The funds were intended for the purchase of a used fire truck and the department is unsure if they can be recovered. (Pixabay photo)

Haida Gwaii firefighters accidentally send $100K to fraudsters in elaborate scheme

RCMP, Northern Savings Credit Union working to recover funds, but ‘unsure if that will be possible’

In a letter dated Tuesday, June 2, 2020, the Sandspit Volunteer Fire Department disclosed to residents that it had accidentally sent a wire transfer of almost $100,000 to fraudsters in May. The funds were intended for the purchase of a used fire truck and the department is unsure if they can be recovered. (Pixabay photo)
Sandspit resident Brenna Kowalchuk (left) and Skidegate resident Zoey Collinson each ran 10 kilometres on Saturday, June 13, 2020 as part of the Tears to Hope Virtual Relay to raise awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls, including Kowalchuk’s niece Chantel Moore. (Facebook photos)

Aunt of Chantel Moore runs virtual relay on Haida Gwaii for MMIWG

Brenna Kowalchuk was also inspired by another Haida Gwaii woman who ran for MMIWG, Zoey Collinson

Sandspit resident Brenna Kowalchuk (left) and Skidegate resident Zoey Collinson each ran 10 kilometres on Saturday, June 13, 2020 as part of the Tears to Hope Virtual Relay to raise awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls, including Kowalchuk’s niece Chantel Moore. (Facebook photos)
The Albion Fisheries processing plant that amalgamated with Intercity Packers in April 2019 is pictured at the end of the Queen Charlotte Causeway. Former operations supervisor Tom Argue said a GoFundMe campaign started in June 2020 is raising money to buy the business, which is at risk of permanent closure due to COVID-19. (Karissa Gall/Haida Gwaii Observer)

Haida Gwaii couple raising funds to avoid fish plant closure

GoFundMe started to save Albion Fisheries, which amalgamated with Intercity Packers in April 2019

The Albion Fisheries processing plant that amalgamated with Intercity Packers in April 2019 is pictured at the end of the Queen Charlotte Causeway. Former operations supervisor Tom Argue said a GoFundMe campaign started in June 2020 is raising money to buy the business, which is at risk of permanent closure due to COVID-19. (Karissa Gall/Haida Gwaii Observer)
FILE - The Sandspit Airport is pictured in 2008. North Coast Regional District Area E Director Evan Putterill took to social media on Thursday, June 4, 2020 to call for a clearly communicated plan to ease Haida Gwaii’s COVID-19 travel restrictions.

Director calls for clear plan to ease Haida Gwaii’s COVID-19 travel restrictions

Evan Putterill advocating for Haida Gwaii to follow Restart B.C. plan with 3 to 4-week travel buffer

FILE - The Sandspit Airport is pictured in 2008. North Coast Regional District Area E Director Evan Putterill took to social media on Thursday, June 4, 2020 to call for a clearly communicated plan to ease Haida Gwaii’s COVID-19 travel restrictions.
Skeena-Bulkley Valley MP Taylor Bachrach wrote a letter to Transport Minister Marc Garneau on Thursday, May 28, 2020, urging him to require airlines to refund Canadian customers the cost of airfare tickets that have gone unused due to COVID-19.

Skeena-Bulkley Valley MP Taylor Bachrach urges feds to compensate airline passengers

Letter to transport minister touches on Northwest B.C. tourism operators impacted by COVID-19

Skeena-Bulkley Valley MP Taylor Bachrach wrote a letter to Transport Minister Marc Garneau on Thursday, May 28, 2020, urging him to require airlines to refund Canadian customers the cost of airfare tickets that have gone unused due to COVID-19.
FILE - A Department of Fisheries and Oceans boat. On Friday, May 15, 2020, Fisheries and Oceans Canada issued a new Fisheries Management Order with conditions for allowing at-sea observers onboard fishing vessels again amid COVID-19. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO, Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada)

DFO allowing at-sea observers again if safe work procedures in place

May 15 fishery notice lays out conditions for allowing at-sea observers onboard amid COVID-19

FILE - A Department of Fisheries and Oceans boat. On Friday, May 15, 2020, Fisheries and Oceans Canada issued a new Fisheries Management Order with conditions for allowing at-sea observers onboard fishing vessels again amid COVID-19. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO, Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada)
Alex Rinfret discovered a stranded striped dolphin on a Tlell beach on Wednesday, May 6, 2020, while walking her dog south of the Crow’s Nest Cafe. Experts are calling Rinfret’s discovery the first recorded sighting of the species on Haida Gwaii. (Alex Rinfret/Facebook photo)

PHOTOS: Striped dolphin spotted on Haida Gwaii, sparking marine investigation

Animal discovered stranded on Tlell beach, marking first recorded sighting north of Vancouver Island

Alex Rinfret discovered a stranded striped dolphin on a Tlell beach on Wednesday, May 6, 2020, while walking her dog south of the Crow’s Nest Cafe. Experts are calling Rinfret’s discovery the first recorded sighting of the species on Haida Gwaii. (Alex Rinfret/Facebook photo)
General Manager Al Frick shared a photo of a visitor alert sign that has been posted at CBI during the COVID-19 pandemic. (Al Frick/Submitted photo)

B.C. active fishermen create Community-Fisheries Safety Protocols

Protocols created to protect coastal communities during COVID-19 pandemic

General Manager Al Frick shared a photo of a visitor alert sign that has been posted at CBI during the COVID-19 pandemic. (Al Frick/Submitted photo)
The Council of the Haida Nation hosted a virtual town hall on Sunday, May 3, 2020, with Indigenous and municipal leaders from Haida Gwaii as well as the north and central coasts discussing continuing COVID-19 travel restrictions. (Zoom screengrab)

‘Our United Coast’: Haida Nation hosts virtual COVID-19 travel restriction town hall

Indigenous, municipal leaders discussed travel restrictions on Haida Gwaii, north and central coasts

The Council of the Haida Nation hosted a virtual town hall on Sunday, May 3, 2020, with Indigenous and municipal leaders from Haida Gwaii as well as the north and central coasts discussing continuing COVID-19 travel restrictions. (Zoom screengrab)
A group of Prince Rupert residents belonging to the Haida Nation, formed an assembly at the Highway 16 and Park Ave. entrance to BC Ferries on April 30, to inform passengers and vehicles arriving that Haida Gwaii is closed to visitors due to the coronavirus. (Photo: K-J Millar/The Northern View)

Demonstrators gather near Prince Rupert ferry terminal to say ‘Haida Gwaii is closed’

More than 20 people gathered with drums and flags on Thursday; more to come

A group of Prince Rupert residents belonging to the Haida Nation, formed an assembly at the Highway 16 and Park Ave. entrance to BC Ferries on April 30, to inform passengers and vehicles arriving that Haida Gwaii is closed to visitors due to the coronavirus. (Photo: K-J Millar/The Northern View)
‘Enough is enough’: Haida Gwaii rallies to send visiting ferry traffic back to terminal

‘Enough is enough’: Haida Gwaii rallies to send visiting ferry traffic back to terminal

Leaders, locals gathered at terminal and near Haida Heritage Centre; no visitors were stopped

‘Enough is enough’: Haida Gwaii rallies to send visiting ferry traffic back to terminal
FILE - The B.C. Ministry of Citizens’ Services announced targeted funding on April 24, 2020 to give people in rural, remote and Indigenous communities access to faster internet services during the COVID-19 pandemic. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld)

B.C. announces funding to improve rural internet connectivity during COVID-19

Internet providers throughout province can apply for grants up to $50,000 — or 90% of upgrade expenses

FILE - The B.C. Ministry of Citizens’ Services announced targeted funding on April 24, 2020 to give people in rural, remote and Indigenous communities access to faster internet services during the COVID-19 pandemic. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld)