Shalu Mehta, Author at The Discourse.

A large group of people wearing red march together.

‘We all want justice’: Hundreds march for missing and murdered Indigenous people on Quw’utsun lands

By Shalu Mehta ● Cowichan Valley ● May 9, 2024

Annual Walk for Justice honours missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls, as well as men.

Students and adults kneel around a long brown piece of paper laid on the ground and colour on it with crayons.

Community project honours 84,000 fish that died in Cowichan River

By Shalu Mehta ● Cowichan Valley ● April 18, 2024

Project 84,000 brings together community and art ‘for the love of water and fish.’

First Salmon Ceremony brings community together for the river, land and fish

By Shalu Mehta ● Cowichan Valley ● April 11, 2024

Quw’utsun Elders, youth and community members gathered to welcome salmon back to the Xwulqw’selu Sta’lo.

Leah Boisvert, Stephanie Kok and Conrad Murphy stand behind a cement half-wall that has St. Ann's Garden Club engraved in it. Behind them is a field with walking paths and apple trees.

St. Ann’s Garden Club supports seniors to ‘create their own narratives’

By Shalu Mehta ● Cowichan Valley ● March 14, 2024

The long-running St. Ann’s Garden Club at Providence Farm is seeking more funding to expand and serve more people.

A woman in black raises her hands against a black background.

Local poet pens love letter to women for International Women’s Day

By Shalu Mehta ● Cowichan Valley ● March 7, 2024

Aimee Chalifoux says her poem, ‘The Young Woman’s Guide To Liberation,’ channels the voices of ancestors and shares her hopes for the future.

A white plastic sheet hangs on a fence. Spray painted on it is "#End Overdose" and "Stop Stigma" with some spray painted hearts in black and unrecognizeable red sticker letters on the sheet as well.

Analysis: Evidence-based solutions needed more than ever to tackle dual housing and toxic drug crises

By Shalu Mehta ● Cowichan Valley ● February 29, 2024

Community members are fed up with issues relating to homelessness and drug use in Cowichan, but the solutions some groups are pushing likely won’t help.

Duncan Mayor Michelle Staples is seen standing amongst a group of people. They are standing in the hallway of a new supportive housing building.

Coalition plans renewed effort to address homelessness in Cowichan

By Shalu Mehta ● Cowichan Valley ● February 15, 2024

Long-term housing projects are in the works, but emergency measures are also needed to address immediate and rising needs.

‘A solution that nobody even imagined’: The Village as a model for housing and mental health and addictions support

By Shalu Mehta ● Cowichan Valley ● February 8, 2024

Evidence shows that The Village is supporting residents with treatment and recovery, as well as housing.

An image of one hand passing off Farmers' Market Coupons to another hand on the other side of a table. Fresh vegetables and gourds are displayed on the table.

Duncan Farmers’ Market calls for expansion to nutrition coupon program

By Shalu Mehta ● Cowichan Valley ● February 1, 2024

A petition calling on the federal government to increase funding for the Farmers’ Market Nutrition Coupon program has been launched.

A shelf stocked with canned goods with a sign that says "Dry Goods" on it

Food bank usage doubles while funds for food programs grow scarce

By Shalu Mehta ● Cowichan Valley ● January 25, 2024

More people in the Cowichan Valley are struggling to feed themselves and their families. These organizations are doing their best to meet the need.

Shalu Mehta

‘We all want justice’: Hundreds march for missing and murdered Indigenous people on Quw’utsun lands

Community project honours 84,000 fish that died in Cowichan River

First Salmon Ceremony brings community together for the river, land and fish

St. Ann’s Garden Club supports seniors to ‘create their own narratives’

Local poet pens love letter to women for International Women’s Day

Analysis: Evidence-based solutions needed more than ever to tackle dual housing and toxic drug crises

Coalition plans renewed effort to address homelessness in Cowichan

‘A solution that nobody even imagined’: The Village as a model for housing and mental health and addictions support

Duncan Farmers’ Market calls for expansion to nutrition coupon program

Food bank usage doubles while funds for food programs grow scarce

Nanaimo Affordable Housing Society name change to Ballenas ‘in discussion’ for years,’ says CEO

10 ways to better support tenants with vulnerabilities due to income, age or disabilities

‘I want it to stop’: Tenants and advocates allege bullying by non-profit housing provider

Q and A: What are vulnerable tenants rights in non-profit housing?

Who will protect low-income seniors from dying in extreme heat?

Seniors left in distress — or dead — for days in Nanaimo Affordable Housing Society units

Shalu Mehta

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