Author

Philip McLachlan, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Philip McLachlan is a queer settler of Scottish and English ancestry, born and raised on the unceded territory of the W̱SÁNEĆ and Quw’utsun Nations. His background includes working in small communities as a journalist for traditional media and freelancing for international wire agencies as a photojournalist. He is passionate about telling authentic stories in a way that honours Indigenous community members on their homelands.

Philip McLachlan,'s Latest Articles

A piece of art depicts a Medicine Wheel on a green backdrop, surrounded by four northwest coast-style animals

Artwork from prisons gives glimpse into lives of incarcerated people: ‘we’re still human’

By Philip McLachlan, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter ● Arts ● August 6, 2022 August 6, 2022

‘When you’re in an 8×10 cell you’re in your head a lot. When you can have a bit of an escape, it can pull you out of deep depression,’ says one creator in the ART & Justice exhibit

VIU summer camp introduces Indigenous youth to life on campus

By Philip McLachlan, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter ● News ● August 4, 2022 August 8, 2022

‘You don’t have to give up your cultural identity to come to a place of higher learning,’ says Thuy’she’num Tu Smun’eem camp coordinator

Ten people are seen standing behind a desk in the Williams Lake First Nation's office. More people are standing up from their seats to face the leaders at the front of the room.

Advocates question RCMP’s role in death of WLFN man, demand public inquiry

By Philip McLachlan, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter ● Okanagan ● July 20, 2022 July 29, 2022

Advocates call for change after Rojun Alphonse died following a distress call to his home that his relations say was escalated with tear gas and weapons

A group of students are seen around a large table,participate in a ‘zine’ making workshop, led by Whess Harman during the 2019 Indigenous Art Intensive.

UBCO Indigenous art intensive makes waves in decolonizing industry

By Philip McLachlan, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter ● Okanagan ● July 16, 2022 July 28, 2022

Students participate in a ‘zine’ making workshop, led by Whess Harman during the 2019 Indigenous Art Intensive. Photo courtesy of UBC

A close up of an Indigenous woman's legs and feet as she ties up the striped laces on teal coloured climbing shoe on her left foot. The moccasins she just took off are between her two feet on the forest floor.

Strengthening Indigenous youth wellness through the sport of climbing, one step at a time

By Philip McLachlan, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter ● Vancouver Island ● July 7, 2022 July 28, 2022

Wild & Climb is creating a safe space for Indigenous youth on ‘Vancouver Island’ to come together and learn the sport of climbing

Indigenous Youth in ‘B.C.’ empowering youth to brainstorm clean water solutions

By Philip McLachlan, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter ● Vancouver Island ● June 30, 2022 July 6, 2022

The Indigenous Youth Potable Water Innovation Challenge is offering funding for teams of youth to brainstorm cleans water solutions for their communities