Radio

I have written, recorded and produced numerous documentaries as a freelance broadcaster, for Canada’s national broadcaster CBC Radio,  as well as for other radio networks nationally and internationally.  I was the Tofino community reporter  from 2007 to 2009 for CBC’s BC Almanac hosted by Mark Forsythe.

Click on the titles listen to some of my documentaries now (or right-click (PC) or option-click (Mac) to download them as mp3 fies that you can listen to later).

Haa’uukmin Tribal Park (runs 4:46)
When Clayoquot Sound is in the news, it is often about conflict. The land is rich in resources – timber, minerals, water, and of course the land itself – and many interest groups often find themselves competing for rights. But this summer, the seeds were sown for a new type of cooperation, under the innovative structure of a “Tribal Park,” managed by the Tla-o-qui-aht but run in partnership with other non-native individuals and organizations. One of those partners is a new tourism venture: a zipline running down the Kennedy River canyon. Visitors get a chance to see the heart of Tla-o-qui-aht territory as they glide down a series of metal cables, suspended above the rushing river. (Broadcast across Canada on numerous CBC regional shows, and on  CBC Radio’s BC Almanac, in August and September 2010)

Tla-o-qui-aht Canoe Carvers: What is Art? (runs 11:29)
In western culture, Art is a medium for self-expression, for individualism, for breaking with the past and exploring new possibilities. For these Tla-o-qui-aht artists, however, Art is a constant, representing teachings and respect; it is a link to both the ancestors and to future generations. Renowned canoe carvers Carl and Joe Martin talk about what Art means to them and to their culture, as they sculpt a dugout canoe out of a raw log of western red cedar, near Tofino, Clayoquot Sound, BC.
(Broadcast in western Canada on March 13th 2010 on CBC Radio’s North by Northwest, guest-host Paolo Pietropaolo)

Canada’s First Surf Contest (runs 7:33)
When thinking of surf destinations, Canada is not usually the first place that comes to mind. But in October 2009, Canada hosted its first ever professional surfing competition, attended by 120 of the world’s best surfers – including 25 Australians.  They braved the icy waters and chilly autumn winds to compete for the $20,000 first prize, and a spot on the world tour – and to their surprise, a Canadian won!
(Broadcast Australia-wide November 8 2009 on ABC Radio National on Correspondents Report, host Elizabeth Jackson)

Pete Devries, Surf Champion (runs 6:29)
Pete Devries has been surfing the beaches around Tofino since he was seven years old.  The idea of travelling to compete around the world has never been high on Pete’s list – but when Canada’s first ever professional surf contest came to his doorstep, he was one of 20 Canadian “wild-card” entries permitted to compete in the O’Neill Coldwater Classic against the 120 seasoned and ranked pros.  To the surfing world’s surprise, Pete won!  In this mini-documentary, Pete talks about what draws him to surfing and about his local surf scene.
(Broadcast Canada-wide on various CBC statios, co-produced with Neil Sandell; this version with On the Island host Gregor Craigie)

Pete and Noah (runs 6:59)
Peter Devries’ surprise win at the O’Neill Coldwater Classic – Canada’s first ever pro surf contest, attended by 120 of the world’s best –  in Tofino on October 2009 was not only a personal victory. It was a win for his fellow surfers too – a community of local guys who have been both pushing and supporting one another for years. Here is the story of the friendship between Pete Devries and one of Tofino’s rising surf stars Noah Cohen – sharing in both the hard work and the success.
(Broadcast November 6 2009 on CHMZ  Long Beach Radio, host Geoff Johnson)

Nuu-chah-nulth Language Champions (runs 5:42)
The Nuu-chah-nulth language was once spoken widely along the west coast of Vancouver Island.  These days, the remaining fluent speakers are mostly elderly, and there are worries about the language’s survival.  On September 18-19 2009, over 100 participants attended a two-day conference in Port Alberni.  Their goal was to come up with a plan to keep their language alive.
(Broadcast September 21 2009 on CBC’s On the Island, host Gregor Craigie)

Me and my Scammer (runs 14:28)
We’ve all received those emails, with suspicious-sounding offers of cash.  But what happens when you actually respond to them, and start to correspond with the scammer?
(Broadcast on CBC’s OutFront, March 4 2008, producer Yvonne Gall)

Frog-English Dictionary Project (runs 5:55)
Shelagh Rogers interviews Jacqueline about communication with Pacific treefrogs, and Jacqueline’s attempts to create a Frog-English dictionary (so far up to 4 words).
(Broadcast on CBC’s Sounds Like Canada, March 1 2008)

Kelp Artists (runs 7:30)
Tofino and Ucluelet artists Lorry Foster and Lise Saurette create works of art from objects given to them by the sea.
(Broadcast on CBC’s North by Northwest)

Clouded Leopard Girls (runs 3:31)
Two young sisters from Port Alberni have decided to forego birthday presents and, instead, to work to help save the endangered clouded leopard.
(Broadcast on CBC’s On the Island)

Tofino/Tla-o-qui-aht community dinner (runs 3:36)
Usually, resolution of native land claims cause rifts between traditional owners and present-day communities.  But, in Clayoquot Sound, the municipality of Tofino and the Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation are bypassing parts of the provincial treaty process in order to come towards their own community accords.
(Broadcast on CBC’s On the Island)

Ahousaht Biosphere Celebration (runs 7:04)
Clayoquot Biosphere Trust, managers of the Clayoquot Sound UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve, head to the remote Nuu-chah-nulth village of Ahousaht, on Flores Island.
(Broadcast on CBC’s On the Island, May 7 2007, producer Peter Hutchinson)