Brenda McCorquodale

The colony band in Sointula.

Sointula – A place of harmony

Malcolm Island has been utilized as a seasonal harvesting location by the Kwakwaka’wakw

The colony band in Sointula.
This image shows one of the old mine shafts from the Coast Copper claim on North Vancouver Island.

Early homesteaders stake claims in mining

QUATSINO—Old Sport copper mine results from early settlers' struggles to turn rainforest into agriculture centre

This image shows one of the old mine shafts from the Coast Copper claim on North Vancouver Island.
This painting by the renowned Canadian Artist, E.J. Hughes, titled 'The Store at Allison Harbour,' sold for more than $245,000 in 2007 and is on display at Michael Audain's museum in Whistler.

Allison Harbour fades to time

Our history columnist notes little remains of once-thriving port community

This painting by the renowned Canadian Artist, E.J. Hughes, titled 'The Store at Allison Harbour,' sold for more than $245,000 in 2007 and is on display at Michael Audain's museum in Whistler.
Edward (Ned) Frigon

‘Old Ned’ Frigon brought colour to inlet

Edward (Ned) Frigon a colourful character around Quatsino Sound.

Edward (Ned) Frigon
Photograph of Blunden Harbour in 1901 which was used by Emily Carr to create her famous painting “Blunden Harbour” in 1930.

Ba’as: original home of the ‘Nakwaxda’xw

History columnist Brenda McCorquodale looks at the village of Ba'as.

Photograph of Blunden Harbour in 1901 which was used by Emily Carr to create her famous painting “Blunden Harbour” in 1930.
Nootka Mission Hospital, pictured here in 1939.

Esperanza – a place of Hope on the North Island

History columnist Brenda McCorquodale looks at the community of Esperanza.

Nootka Mission Hospital, pictured here in 1939.
William May Halliday

Halliday leaves mark, cows

William May Halliday left his impact on the North Island.

William May Halliday
First Nations members are shown posed with stacks of Hudson’s Bay Company point blankets at a potlatch in this undated photo.

HBC ‘point blankets’ on the North Island

Brenda McCorquodale discusses the iconic Hudson’s Bay Company point blankets.

First Nations members are shown posed with stacks of Hudson’s Bay Company point blankets at a potlatch in this undated photo.
The Englewood wood and English sawmill as it appeared in Beaver Cove in 1926.

Englewood enjoyed a rich and varied history

History columnist Brenda McCorquodale looks back at the Wood & English sawmill.

The Englewood wood and English sawmill as it appeared in Beaver Cove in 1926.
This photo of Brooks Peninsula (Split Rock off Woody Point) was sketched by James Colnett, captain of the Princess of Wales, in 1787.

Remote park was once a glacial refuge

History columnist Brenda McCorquodale shares the story of Brooks Peninsula.

This photo of Brooks Peninsula (Split Rock off Woody Point) was sketched by James Colnett, captain of the Princess of Wales, in 1787.

Nahwitti name survives in many guises

History columnist Brenda McCorquodale shares the background of the Nahwitti.

Long-term residents of Port Alice have seen a number of mudslides over the years, like the one above from the 1970s

Port Alice has a history of landslides

Due to its steep slopes and heavy rainfall, the area around Port Alice has been subjected to a number of mud and rock slides.

Long-term residents of Port Alice have seen a number of mudslides over the years, like the one above from the 1970s
The original Storey home still stands by the beach that bears the family name.

The story of the Storeys

Brenda McCorquodale shares information on Storey’s Beach’s first residents, George and Frances Storey.

The original Storey home still stands by the beach that bears the family name.

Yreka Mine reveals nuggets of history

Brenda McCorquodale looks at the history of the Yreka Mine.

Coal tycoon Robert Dunsmuir came from Scotland to Fort Rupert in 1851.

Coal lured industrialist to North Island

The history of one of the richest and most well-known industrialists in the history of Vancouver Island, Robert Dunsmuir.

Coal tycoon Robert Dunsmuir came from Scotland to Fort Rupert in 1851.
Hetty Fredrickson

Unorthodox mediums create extraordinary art

Sayward home to Valley of 1,000 Faces exhibition by remarkable artist.

Hetty Fredrickson

North Island history never ceases to amaze

Brenda McCorquodale looks at the early history of Sointula.

The cabin where the bodies of the trappers were found.  It was reported to have been demolished at a later date by a road-building crew.

Vernon Lake diary tells a tale of desperation

Harrowing tale recorded in the diary of a pair of stricken trappers.

The cabin where the bodies of the trappers were found.  It was reported to have been demolished at a later date by a road-building crew.
Map from approximately 1780 showing the west coast of Canada encompassing a large inland sea.

Early European forays to the North Island

Brenda McCorquodale recounts visits by early European explorers to the North Island.

Map from approximately 1780 showing the west coast of Canada encompassing a large inland sea.
Fort Victoria circa 1860, the location where the smallpox epidemic outbreak occurred.

First Nations decimated by smallpox

The arrival of European traders brought many new diseases to the North Island, including measles and smallpox.

Fort Victoria circa 1860, the location where the smallpox epidemic outbreak occurred.