Bayleigh Marelj, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Education administrators concerned over disparities in COVID-19 funding for First Nations students

By Bayleigh Marelj, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter ● Vancouver Island ● November 6, 2020

$112 million in federal funds distributed to First Nations schools is inaccessible to the approximately 9,000 First Nations students who go to school off-reserve in B.C.

W̱SÁNEĆ youth rise to the challenge of reef net fishing as they reclaim the formerly-outlawed practice

By Bayleigh Marelj, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter ● Vancouver Island ● September 21, 2020

13 youth of the W̱SÁNEĆ Nation built and set a traditional reef net off of Pender Island in August, making it the second time in a century that the nation has laid a net.

Wellness webinars offer at-home alternative to community programming during pandemic

By Bayleigh Marelj, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter ● Vancouver Island ● September 17, 2020

The nine-part series promoting resiliency focuses on holistic health and traditional teachings.

Eight Indigenous back-to-school reads for kids and adults

By Bayleigh Marelj, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter ● Vancouver Island ● September 1, 2020

A curated reading list of First Nations authors from the Salish Sea and Pacific Coast region.

Métis jigging educator teaches dance steps and self-esteem

By Bayleigh Marelj, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter ● Vancouver Island ● August 24, 2020

Beverly Lambert strives to teach Métis students to have pride in themselves and their culture through jigging.

Amid COVID-19, Songhees Nation seeks to diversify development projects

By Bayleigh Marelj, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter ● Vancouver Island ● August 20, 2020

CEO of Songhees Development Corporation says the company is looking for new ways to find revenue amid pandemic closures.