As Life on Gabriola TV continues to seek volunteers, we talk with longtime resident Zulis Yalte, who signed up at our launch event in August.

Yalte says good local journalism is badly needed on the island because, in her opinion, “What we have is superficial... the latest artist or whatever,” but not with the depth that was provided by The Flying Shingle in the past. In her view, that newspaper's editor, Chris Bowers, was “a more critical thinker” who went into depth on issues and called people to account.

Yalte believes we need more of that because, for instance, "organizations are running with a half-a-million dollars" but "I don't see public accountability happening." She says there are critical issues on Gabriola, like housing, health, racism, and trans/homo-phobia, but she feels the media offer only glossy, superficial coverage such as “Nice island, great tourist place to come to," as opposed to covering homelessness and seniors in "dire circumstances right before our eyes that we don’t know about.”

Top of mind for Yalte right now is racism as well as prejudice against people in the LGBTQ+ community. "It's come to the fore. There are increasing numbers of people of non-white races here on the island, and they're being treated abysmally." She agrees the island has a lot of the same issues as big cities. "It's a microcosm of the larger world. We have all the same issues. Absolutely."

Her reason for signing up to volunteer with Life on Gabriola TV is simple. "I care about this community."

Life on Gabriola TV is generously sponsored by:

• The Gabriola Arts Council
• The Haven, Gabriola Island

LJI program: Heritage Canada

Journalist: Theresa O'Leary / Videographer: Jessie Zhang