Radha Agarwal

My Most Read Work

Today in BC •

Landscapes for Palestine: B.C. artist connects her work to protest

By: Radha Agarwal
It’s a cold January day when Rawan Hassan unlocks the back door of her studio in Vancouver, and begins to climb a dark, narrow staircase. It ends at a multi-studio floor which has a maze-like hallway with several doors.
She steps into one of them and reveals a dull box-shaped space, juxtaposed by the colorful landscape paintings, clothwork and charcoal embossed sheets that hang off the walls.
Hassan is a multi-faceted Palestinian artist, who is using her craft as a form of...
The Georgia Straight •

For people with autism, ICBC’s testing system is inequitable

By Radha Agarwal and Harvin BhathalCaitlyn Peterson has taken the ICBC driving knowledge test eight times over the past four years, and has failed every time.Peterson has autism, which means she requires enhanced and equitable support in order to operate and excel in stimulating situations. According to the 29-year-old, what ICBC currently offers autistic people hoping to get licensed is inadequate.“The lights are so bright, people’s cell phones are going off, lights are flashing,” she says of t...
New Canadian Media •

A sense of foreboding on eve of Diwali - New Canadian Media

“Staying in my home country feels safer than anywhere else in the world right now. Especially after India cancelled the visas for Canadians, and then the Israel-Hamas war,” says Shrishti Gupta, an Indian student who was to move to Vancouver this fall, but chose to stay back at least for this semester.
Speaking to NCM from Delhi, she is worried about high inflation, a looming recession and what she sees as a tough job market in Canada. Recent political developments between India and Canada have o...
CBC •

Citing barriers to access, Black Montrealers create their own mental health services | CBC News

Samanta Nyinawumuntu was going through tough times while attending theatre school. Feeling they needed help, they sought therapy. But, while sitting in a room with a white therapist, they quickly realized the environment wasn't a safe space for them. "It was like the person I spoke with did not understand or had zero training. I left feeling worse, and I thought 'no, this is not for me,'" Nyinawum...
Today in BC •

Northwest B.C. businesses on brink of collapse as immigration rules devastate foreign worker supply

"In our town, foreign workers are not a convenience, they are a necessity," John Farrell said in a presentation to city council.

Dire situation

Farrell leads Community Futures, a non-profit development corporation that helps entrepreneurs on the North Coast and Haida Gwaii with their journeys in business. He is also a business owner.

He and several other prominent business owners, including representatives from the Crest Hotel, Highliner Hotel, and Opa Sushi, presented at the regular c...
Today in BC •

Death of Deathcare: injecting new life into B.C.'s funeral services crisis

In 2021, two trailblazers, George Westwood and Matthew Pierce, introduced a groundbreaking solution in deathcare services for the remote archipelago of Haida Gwaii, located west of Prince Rupert. Most residents used to have to spend a significant amount of money (about $10,000) for essential funeral services to and from the island, enduring a long journey to Terrace (approximately 10 hours), and dealing with a sporadic ferry service.

"Since Haida Gwaii has always had a small population, it ha...
Today in BC •

Death of deathcare: multiple obstacles blocking funeral services in remote B.C.

Ferguson Funeral Home was the sole funeral services operator in Prince Rupert. It closed in 2021 after its licensed embalmer and funeral director, Jim Ferguson, passed away following 45 years of service to the community.

Since then Prince Rupert residents have relied on services from Terrace, 150 kilometres away, leaving families sometimes waiting overnight for up to16 hours for help after the passing of a loved one.

"It's been a number of years now, and still, nothing new has come up, whi...
Today in BC •

Death of deathcare: bodies left where they die for hours in B.C. town

"Val, our system is broken."

This is what Valerie Paolinelli remembers her doctor saying to her after her husband died at their residence in Prince Rupert in March 2024.

Affected by restrictive regulations, the absence of a local funeral provider, and the usual staff shortages in the North, grieving families in Prince Rupert, such as Paolinelli’s, find doors closing on them during their times of sorrow.

"My poor husband lay on the floor for 16 hours. After 16 hours, his stomach was bloa...
Vancouver Sun •

Haida Gwaii buoy collects data for marine renewable energy research

Article contentThe Haida Nation has collaborated with the University of Victoria’s Pacific regional institute for marine energy discovery to collect information on the abundant renewable energy resources available around Haida Gwaii. These include marine resources such as wave, tidal, and offshore wind power, which could reduce the island’s heavy reliance on diesel-generated electricity.Article contentHaida Gwaii comprises more than 200 small and large islands, 100 kilometres west of the north c...
The Georgia Straight •

Inaugural Ignite Music Festival is rebuilding Vancouver music’s middle class

Lindsay Sparrow wanted to shake up the Vancouver entertainment business. So she created her own music festival.Sparrow is making waves in the city’s live music scene with the first-ever Ignite Music Festival on June 30 at the Plaza of Nations. The one-day festival will feature artists including Rick Ross, Waka Flocka Flame, Sickick, Vancouver-based Amiccella, and Surrey-raised Merkules.And unlike so many other big-ticket music events in the city, this one is trying to keep costs down, with ticke...

My Latest Work

Today in BC •

Northwest B.C. businesses on brink of collapse as immigration rules devastate foreign worker supply

"In our town, foreign workers are not a convenience, they are a necessity," John Farrell said in a presentation to city council.

Dire situation

Farrell leads Community Futures, a non-profit development corporation that helps entrepreneurs on the North Coast and Haida Gwaii with their journeys in business. He is also a business owner.

He and several other prominent business owners, including representatives from the Crest Hotel, Highliner Hotel, and Opa Sushi, presented at the regular c...
The Northern View •

Prince Rupert probes ‘Buy Canadian’ procurement policy amid US-Canada trade war

The port city of Prince Rupert, a major economic hub in northwestern B.C., is gearing up to tackle head-on the heavy tariffs imposed by the United States.

City council passed a motion at its regular meeting on March 24, directing staff to review current procurement practices and identify opportunities to enhance Canadian and local purchasing. Staff were tasked with reporting back to council at a future meeting with a proposed outline of changes, including the cost-benefit implications and the...
The Northern View •

Haida carver reveals inspiration behind Alaska's largest 360-degree totem

With every chisel strike, Haida carver TJ Young brought history to life with the 360-degree totem pole standing at the Sealaska Heritage Square — a towering testament to culture, storytelling, and resilience in the heart of downtown Juneau.

Named the Sealaska Cultural Values Totem Pole, this fully carved piece honours the rich traditions of southeast Alaska’s three tribes — Lingít, Haida, and Tsimshian. It is an impressive 22 feet tall and four feet wide; its scale and intricate details make...
The Northern View •

Northwest B.C. ERs begin to emerge from crisis as physician shortage eases

Patients in Northwest B.C. are experiencing a refreshing shift as emergency room (ER) doors remain open in local hospitals.

Although by February 2025, Northern Health (NH) hospitals are still facing a 20.17 per cent vacancy gap in their baseline healthcare positions, the staffing situation has shown incremental improvement.

The ERs in Prince Rupert, Masset, and Kitimat experienced a high rate of interruptions in the first half of 2024, but showed a significant drop in closures from August...
The Northern View •

Large fishing boat overturns and leaks near Bella Bella; fishermen rescued

A 58-foot fishing vessel, the Western Gambler, has run aground near Napier Point, about three kilometres south of Bella Bella.

Early in the morning on Feb. 19, the Canadian Coast Guard (CCG) received a report that a craft was taking on water and tilting to one side. The Bella Bella lifeboat station crew responded quickly to help with the situation.

"The CCGS Cape Farewell and our Bella Bella Fast Rescue Craft arrived on-scene and rescued the four fishermen onboard," said the Canadian Coast...
The Northern View •

Northern BC terminal partners with South Korean authority to advance ammonia fuel project

Prince Rupert-based Trigon Pacific Terminals has signed an agreement with the Ulsan Free Economic Zone Authority (UFEZ) to work together to export hydrogen-based ammonia from Canada to South Korea.

Both parties signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Feb. 12 in Seoul. It outlines that Trigon will support the development of receiving terminals in Ulsan, South Korea, as a key component of the supply chain for Asian markets. Additionally, Trigon will assist in opening potential markets for...
The Northern View •

Ecology centre's all-female team inspires Rupertites with the richness of local ecosystems

On Feb. 11, the North Coast Ecology Centre celebrated the 10th Annual International Day for Women and Girls in Science with its all-female staff.

The society is working to create a permanent education centre in Prince Rupert that highlights the region’s ecological abundance. 

“In doing this, we hope to inspire a love for our beautiful corner of the world by sharing its wonders and providing education for conserving the local environment and its species based out of Prince Rupert,” said Mad...
The Northern View •

PHOTOS: Gitxaala Nation officially opens 65th Annual All Native Basketball Tournament in Prince Rupert

The Gitxaala Nation delighted a packed hall at the Jim Ciccone Civic Centre to celebrate the opening of the 65th edition of the All Native Basketball Tournament. The final showdowns for all five divisions are set to take place on Feb. 15.Dialogue and debate are integral to a free society and we welcome and encourage you to share your views on the issues of the day. We ask that you be respectful of others and their points of view, refrain from personal attacks and stay on topic. To learn about ou...
The Northern View •

Prince Rupert library amplifies Black Canadian voices in honour of Black History Month

To mark Black History Month, the Prince Rupert Library has curated a new display celebrating Black Canadians and their impact on the country.

The collection includes books by or about Black Canadians, including historical works, contemporary fiction, and nonfiction for all ages.

Mercedes Taylor, the director of the library, explained the purpose of the display is to provide people with an opportunity to learn more about the diverse voices and critical perspectives that have shaped Canada....
The Northern View •

Distraught passengers return home after 11-hour wait for Vancouver flight

Dozens of excited passengers arrived at Prince Rupert’s Digby Island on Feb. 3, eager to board their flight to Vancouver, but after an exhausting 11-hour ordeal, they found themselves heading back to their homes with their hopes of reaching their destination dashed in the darkness of the night.

Air Canada Express’s afternoon Jazz flight from a nearby island is the only air route that hopeful residents of Prince Rupert and surrounding areas can rely on to stay connected to the rest of the worl...
The Northern View •

Prince Rupert experiencing colder, drier winter than normal

This winter, Prince Rupert is having a colder and more arid season than usual, and this trend might last until mid-February.

"In January, we definitely got much drier. January 1 to January 31 we only had 70 per cent of normal precipitation," said Derek Lee, a meteorologist at Environment and Climate Change Canada.

While the rainy city typically receives 276.3 millimetres of rain in January, this year, it got just 193.6 millimetres.

Lee notes that winter is usually the wettest season for...
The Northern View •

Maple magic returns at 15th Annual Rupert Sugar Shack!

Families in Prince Rupert enjoyed AFFNO’s four-day wintery celebration, which was filled with French cuisine and exciting activities.

The rich array of cultural events featured the beloved Cabane à sucre (Sugar Shack), French folk music, and a taste of traditional cuisine. Festival-goers also enjoyed the film screening of “Le temps d’un été" at the local movie theatre, alongside a hands-on percussion workshop for children, offering something for all ages to enjoy.

Renée Syvret, the executi...
The Northern View •

B.C. to see its first-ever Indigenous-led port logistics facility

The Canada Infrastructure Bank is loaning $60 million to the Metlakatla Development Corporation (MDC) and the Prince Rupert Port to develop the first-ever Indigenous-led port logistics facility in British Columbia.

The funding will be used for extensive site preparations covering 56 acres for the upcoming South Kaien Import Logistics Park (SKILP) project.

This flat, serviced land is close to the Fairview Terminal, CN Rail, and the CANXPORT transloading facility on Kaien Island. Most of the...
The Northern View •

Haida hereditary chief proposes pyrolysis machine to eliminate landfills

Roy S. Jones Jr., a hereditary chief from Haida Gwaii, is advocating for a machine that claims to convert municipal waste into energy and potentially eliminate landfills.

He leads Aboriginal Equity Partners Incorporated (AEPI), a First Nations-owned business, and owns Pacific Balance Marine Management Corporation.

Jones explains that this pyrolysis machine, built by their partner company Endpoint Recovery, uses a thermal cracking system to convert municipal solid waste, plastics, tires, an...
Vancouver Island Free Daily •

North Coast First Nation sues Canada, B.C. and Prince Rupert Port

The Gitxaała Nation is suing the federal and provincial governments and the Prince Rupert Port Authority (PRPA) in the BC Supreme Court.

The North Coast First Nation filed the Jan. 27 civil lawsuit along with Lu Sa Hax Hoyaxgm Wil’nat’aał (LSHH), the joint committee of Hereditary Chiefs and the elected Council.

It alleges the Crown and PRPA failed to fulfill their duty to consult with Gitxaala on significant land and resource decisions in the Prince Rupert Harbour area, resulting in cultur...
The Northern View •

Can yoga-inspired practices grow new neurons? B.C. yogi weighs in

A long-term yogi in northern B.C. has launched a new online course, “Yoga for Neurogenesis: Practices to Build Your Brain," and it might just be what people need right now.

Mandy Lawson, originally from Prince Rupert, moved to Vancouver Island at 21 to study psychology. She then became a certified yoga teacher in Costa Rica, where she worked in the field for 13 years before returning to B.C. in 2023 to share her teachings.

When Lawson attended university in 2006, her courses focused on cog...
The Northern View •

Rupert fined $165K for waste management violations

B.C.’s Ministry of Environment and Climate Change has fined the City of Prince Rupert a heavy $165,460 because three of its waste disposal sites do not meet the ministry’s quality standards.

The city holds permits from the province to operate landfills. Currently, the Wantage Road Landfill, the Prince Rupert Landfill, and the Sewer Outfalls are not compliant with regulations.

“We’ve got sort of a menu of things that we’re being penalized for,” said Coun. Nick Adey in the Jan.13 city counci...
The Northern View •

Northern B.C. museum honours pioneer female pilot from the early 1900s

The Museum of Northern British Columbia is showcasing the belongings of Elainne Roberge Schlageter, one of the first female pilots in Canada who paved the way for future generations.

The aviatrix was born in Prince Rupert in 1909, and in 1932, she became the fourth woman to get a commercial flying licence in the country when the industry was fully male-dominated. Roberge passed her flying test in 1930 when she was 21 - making her the 21st overall woman to have passed it.

“She grew up in wh...
The Northern View •

Museum of Northern BC commemorates 100 years with a reflective exhibit

It was 1924 when a cultural treasure in Prince Rupert was born, finding its first home upstairs of the Canadian Bank of Commerce on 2nd Ave at 5th Street.

Fast forward to 2024, following a plethora of social, economic and technological changes, and it proudly celebrates its enduring mission to keep the art and history of the North Coast alive.

This year the Museum of Northern B.C. is celebrating its 100 years with a new reflective exhibit.

“Unlike the Museum of Northern BC, very few art...
The Northern View •

Rupert author's back-to-the-land memoir headed to London Book Fair

The international literary world will soon have an opportunity to glimpse the unique world of northern B.C. in the 1970s through the words of Prince Rupert-based author Joseph Marvici. 

Marvici is gearing up to present “The Longstock Chronicles,” his memoir about life in a small, remote community along the Fraser River in B.C., at the London Book Fair 2025. 

Set during the rise of the back-to-the-land movement and the counterculture of the 1960s and 70s, it paints an intimate portrait of a...
The Northern View •

Prince Rupert excluded from top 100 most valued homes in North, Central B.C.

No houses in Prince Rupert made it to BC Assessment's 2025 list of the 100 most valued residential properties in North and Central B.C.

The North Central region covers about 70 per cent of the province, extending east to the Alberta border, north to the Yukon border, west to Bella Coola including Haida Gwaii, and south to just north of Clinton. BC Assessment analyzed almost 250,000 properties within this territory.

The estimated value of single-family residential properties in Prince Ruper...
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