“I thought as a huge team Canada Olympics fan, across Canada traveler, a tour guide in western Canada and living in multiple places across this great land that I was the most passionate and proud Canadian. I have always been so blown away by the beauty of this country, the people and all the wonderful freedoms and values it possesses.
When I took my assignment here in Alert Bay, on an island inhabited by the Namgis community, on precious band land, with rich, cultural history, I knew it would be different but I never knew how much I would learn and how much it would enrich me as a Canadian.
I can read textbooks and watch videos in school and learn about Canadian history from Our heritage commercials, but nothing opens up your heart and expands your comfort levels like working in a First Nations community.
I ask more questions about culture and history here than I do about a patient’s condition (just a couple more, I promise I’m still doing my job). I’ve been so blessed to be able to work alongside people who have lived here through some terrible things, I’ve been able to contact the museum and have a virtual tour, I’ve been able to borrow books and movies about the people here because they want to share and are so proud of their history even if it was hard and unfair and Canada wasn’t on their side.
I love how every artifact on display in town has a story. I love reading about them and learning. There is such talent here. It would be wrong to not showcase it somewhere. I’m now halfway through my contract and I’m so grateful this was as much made for me as I was for it.
These are some of my fav spots in town. This beautiful place full of culture, the friendliest humans who wave every time they drive by me, feral and friendly animals, and the most stunning sounds as waves flow into shore and eagles soar overhead.
Alert Bay and I have the same initials, so it’s a pretty great place ♥️
Isolation Island has been in full emergency lock down, complete with curfew alarms and a constant police presence. Covid hit hard here. It came fast and took it’s toll, but things are starting to slow down and I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else.”
-Alli B., LPN
