‘Na̱mg̱is Leadership Issues Statement Following Assault in Alert Bay

August 21, 2026 | ‘Ya̱lis (Alert Bay), BC

The leadership of the community of Alert Bay (‘Na̱mg̱is First Nation, Village of Alert Bay, and Whe-la-la-u Area Council) is outraged at the assault that occurred on our island last night where one of our devoted nurses taking her regular walk was attacked while on her way home. She is one of the nurses that travels from afar (Calgary), and a very integral part of the Cormorant Island Community Health Centre. The attacker is not a resident of Alert Bay or a member of the ‘Na̱mg̱is First Nation.

On August 21, 2026, ‘Na̱mg̱is Chief and Council met for an emergency Council meeting and unanimously voted for a Banishment of this visitor from all ‘Na̱mg̱is lands, effective immediately.   

The Village of Alert Bay and the Whe-la-la-u Area Council wholeheartedly agree and support this decision on restricting this individual’s access to Cormorant Island.   

The leadership would like to express their support to the Victim and wish her a speedy recovery. Council would also like to extend their sincere gratitude to the two youth that intervened at risk to their own safety and wellbeing, and to the witnesses for their continued support during and after this traumatizing event.