November • 2023
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Guardians of the Wild:
Second Chances for Vancouver Island’s Rare White Ravens Nature has a way of producing natural marvels and keeping them hidden away for those who know what to look for. The white raven, highly revered and rare, is one such phenomenon, and it calls Qualicum Beach on Vancouver Island, B.C., home. Native legend says the white raven brought light to the world by freeing the sun, moon, and stars locked away by an evil being. Mythology says that Apollo sent a white raven to spy on his lover, Coronis. Shrouded in mystery and legend, these birds are known for their distinctive white feathers— common ravens are entirely black. The white ravens at North Island Wildlife Recovery Centre (NIWRA) are not albino but leucistic, a genetic defect that affects the pigmentation of the cells and is marked by overall pale colouring in feathers and skin. Studies suggest these blue-eyed ravens do not live past their second year in the wild due to poor immune systems, making them all the more rare. In recent years, NIWRA has
BUDDY AND ROBIN CAMPBELL © COURTESY OF NIWRA
embraced these beautiful creatures, nurturing them back to health against all odds. Animal care experts at NIWRA worked tirelessly to bring the first leucistic raven, named Blizzard, back to good health. It was emaciated, unable to fly and had infected wounds on its feet. After one year of care, Blizzard now resides in NIWRA’s public viewing area in a specialized enclosure with ample coverage from the sun. Buddy, a younger white raven, arrived in the same condition the following year. Once again, NIWRA
provided round-the-hour care and supervision to save its life. Buddy the bird rallied and his newfound strength can be seen “on the glove” by educational volunteer and trainer Robin Campbell. Buddy was named after Chief Buddy ReCalma of the Qualicum First Nations band—a tribute to his lifelong crusade working with Canadian Prime Ministers for justice and reconciliation. The partnership between NIWRA and the Qualicum First Nations band runs deep, a lasting relationship fueled by a shared
commitment to wildlife and cultural preservation. For many years, the band has supplied specially selected salmon for the rehabilitation of animals. NIWRA has been in operation since 1985, with our mandate being to care for ill, injured and orphaned wildlife and to educate the public about nature and environmental issues. We admit over 700 animals a year with the hope of them returning to the wild. Nearly 95 per cent of admissions are due to human impact—directly or indirectly. Vehicle collisions, cat attacks, electrocutions and poisonings, without the help of NIWRA, are the end of the line for many of these animals. With an extensive educational program, complete with school visiting opportunities, countless online learning resources, and infographics detailing essential tips for supporting and saving animals in your area, we aim to help everyone become stewards of the Canadian wild. Injured ravens are admitted to the centre regularly, but the
white raven presents the staff with ramped-up care challenges due to their unique genetics. It is a dayto-day effort to keep them alive, with tube feedings and rounds of antibiotics, but the team successfully brought and kept these two incredibly rare birds in good health. Today, Blizzard and Buddy live at NIWRA under our care, where the public can view their magnificence up close. The lifespan of a white raven could be two years, while black ravens can live up to 50 years in captivity. With deluxe accommodation, great health care and excellent dining, we hope our white ravens will be the lucky ones. ABOUT NIWRA NIWRA, a non-profit organization, is situated in Errington, B.C. We are open to the public daily for viewing of non-releasable animals. Please visit our website at niwra.org to learn more about our programs, read stories about our animals, and learn how you can help care for wildlife.
Somalia's First All-Women Newsroom Spotlights Female Taboos Programme (UNDP), success journalist murders as a percentage periods. Girls are not taught the symptoms of womanhood in has not come easy or risk-free for of a country's population. People often laugh when Fathi Ahmed and her team. As a deeply patriarchal socithe classroom." Mohamed Ahmed tells them she With more than 50 journalety, some people find it difficult A story about the stigma runs the first and only all-female ists killed since 2010, Somalia is to discuss women's issues surrounding menstruation benewsroom in Somalia, one of the the most dangerous country for publicly, Ahmed said. Others came one of Bilan's most viral most dangerous places on the journalists in Africa, according complain Bilan's stories blemish when it was broadcast earlier planet to be a reporter. to Reporters Without Borders. the country's reputation. this year, garnering more than But Bilan, the media house The Committee to Protect "We know Somalis, for them 130,000 views and dozens of Journalists ranks Somalia last in girls' issues are shameful," she comments on Facebook. where Ahmed works as chief "I used to feel fear when I its Global Impunity Index, which said. "For example, signs of editor, is far from a punchline, measures the number of unsolved adolescence like menstruation, wanted to share my personal producing a daily mix of hard news and in-depth features for local and sometimes international audiences. In its almost 18 months of operation, Bilan, which means "to shine a light," has overcome prejudice and insecurity to illuminate some of the most taboo subjects in Somalia, including a female drug epidemic, albinism, women living with HIV and period shame. "Sometimes my soul tells me I cannot continue the work because of insecurity and societal pressure. However, it is a career that I loved since my childhood and a dream which still lives in me," Ahmed said. Although it is supported by the United Nations Development FATHI MOHAMED AHMED AND SHUKRI MOHAMED ABDI USE MOBILES TO FILM GIRLS AT THE BONDHERE KINDERGARTEN AND ORPHAN CENTER DURING A NEWS GATHERING ASSIGNMENT © ALL IMAGES REUTERS/FEISAL OMAR ABDI SHEIKH
problems with the teacher. I failed to express my problem," said Maria Abdullahi Jama, a 19-yearold student at Bondhere School in Mogadishu. "I urge students not to feel shame and fear." The story prompted the Ministry of Women to offer to work together on an advocacy campaign, and has won over at least one Islamic cleric, a group that often holds the most conservative views in Somali society. "It is good to give awareness to the girls about period and how to stay clean so they see it as something natural that all women have," said Sheikh Abdi Hayi, who preaches at the Omar Ibnu Khadab Mosque. Bilan has revolutionized the news agenda in Somalia, said Abdallah Al Dardari, director of the United Nations Development Programme Regional Bureau for Arab States. "With their unique voice and the growing reach of the Bilan Media brand, they're creating a demand for change and better treatment of women and girls that can't be ignored," Al Dardari said. —Reuters ADVERTORIAL
Starbright Children’s Development Centre: Where Hope Becomes Action Celebrating Over 50 Years Of Serving Central Okanagan Communities The impact of Starbright Children’s Development Centre is best understood through personal stories from families. Located in Kelowna, British Columbia, the centre has been bringing to life such stories for more than 50 years. WHEN A CHILD NEEDS HELP “Our family needed guidance when our young daughter Sara struggled with speaking and making certain sounds. She would become frustrated as others could not understand her. We wanted experts who were experienced and knew what steps to take,” said Kevin. The family found Starbright, and the centre’s team of professionals went to work. Starbright operates on a multi-disciplinary team basis. Staff members are highly trained and experienced in pediatric services and see 1,000 children each year. With expertise in children’s speech
difficulties, Diane Gretzinger, who is one of Starbright’s SpeechLanguage Pathologists, assessed Sara, designed an approach with the Starbright team, and delivered the program to the family. WORKING DIRECTLY WITH FAMILIES Kevin found Starbright’s family-centred approach to be just what his family needed. “Starbright supports us as parents with non-judgmental help and ideas. They worked closely with me so I could be a part of my daughter’s development. I can remember becoming emotional in the early sessions, so proud of the progress being made. Diane would focus on different sounds, one at a time, and my daughter would progress quickly using the strategies,” said Kevin. “Diane told me parental involvement can make a huge difference in outcomes. She gave us
take-home activities that I would do with Sara on a daily basis. My daughter loved going to Starbright and showing Diane the progress she was making.” Starbright Executive Director Dr. Rhonda Nelson said the focus on family support is key, and it’s done by design. LEVERAGING A TEAM APPROACH “We work as a team collaborating with families to help their little ones. This approach has earned our centre an excellent reputation with parents in the local community and with our peers,” she said. Kevin noted that families using Starbright’s services are incredibly thankful and have become advocates for the centre. “Starbright is essential to our community. Starbright’s services are accessible and available at no cost to families. You should hear my daughter speak now. She’s easy
Starbright is a charitable non-profit organization providing therapy and program services to families with young children who have developmental needs Learn more at starbrightokanagan.ca
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to understand, outgoing, vibrant, The centre provides a range of and ready for kindergarten,” he programs to children from birth said happily. to school-age entry, including infant development, occupational GENERATING POSITIVE therapy, speech-language patholOUTCOMES FOR ogy, physical therapy, inclusive THE COMMUNITY childcare, and counselling. Starbright embraces its history of A child can be referred to helping families like Kevin’s. Starbright by anyone with the Nelson said, “We love to see family’s consent, including a fampositive outcomes for the chil- ily member, pediatrician or family dren we work with. It’s what doctor, a public health nurse, or drives our staff and what we’re a childcare provider. so passionate about. Starbright is truly a place where miracles Learn more at do happen.” starbrightokanagan.ca.
