Rochelle Baker
Journalist | Quadra Island |
English
About Rochelle Baker
Rochelle Baker is the Quadra and Cortes Islands reporter for Canada's National Observer, thanks to a grant from the Local Journalism Initiative of the Government of Canada. Rochelle has worked as a newspaper reporter and photographer in BC's Lower Mainland for over 10 years.
‘It’s flawed, but it’s a start’: Feds decriminalize carrying small amounts of hard drugs in B.C.
Response to Ottawa’s historic announcement that it will decriminalize the personal possession of small amounts of illegal drugs in British Columbia ran the gamut Tuesday.
Pressure mounts for Liberals to back bill decriminalizing drug use
Clearly, the stigma starts with the prime minister, says the NDP critic sponsoring the proposed legislation about the Liberals’ resistance to decriminalizing the personal possession of small amounts of drugs.
B.C. fish farms cultivate increased risks for wild salmon, new studies show
Two new studies suggest that pathogens from fish farms raise risks for B.C.'s plummeting wild salmon stocks.
Walk With Me project navigates personal stories of toxic drug crisis
An innovative, experimental project takes steps to build empathy for those impacted by Canada’s toxic drug crisis in small Vancouver Island communities.
On Cortes Island, it's all songs and warm vibes until the logging begins
Residents of Cortes Island have held off industrial logging since the 90s, but members of the tiny community are remobilizing to prevent the return of Mosaic Forest Management to the island.
Citizen science whale observers worry humpbacks being harassed
An observer network in B.C.'s Salish Sea wants more protections and enforcement to prevent whale watching vessels from stressing humpbacks.
Conservationists urge B.C. to protect bear dens ‘before it’s too late’
The destruction of coastal black bear dens from old-growth logging puts the future of the culturally iconic species at risk, say scientists, First Nations and conservationists.
Mamalilikulla: A nation displaced now stewards its spiritual home
The Mamalilikulla First Nation's declaration of an Indigenous Protected and Conserved Area re-establishes a spiritual home for a people displaced and scattered by colonial policy.
The joy and pain of language revitalization
Young people immersed in the Heiltsuk First Nation's innovative language revitalization program find the learning process bittersweet.
Court ruling doesn’t sink Ottawa’s decision to close Discovery Islands salmon farms, critics say
A recent Federal Court ruling to set aside a decision to phase out salmon farms in the Discovery Islands doesn't necessarily mean the issue is dead in the water, say First Nations and environmentalists.