Located on Vancouver Island, Campbell River is home to three First Nations and has a population of 32,000. The main industries are tourism, fishing, forestry, aquaculture, and mining. Before European settlement, the Kwakwaka'wakw and Coast Salish peoples lived in the area. In 1859, the HMS Plumper surveyed the region and named the Campbell River after its physician, Dr. Samuel Campbell. Today, the top social issues are homelessness, mental health, and unemployment, exacerbated by recent mill closures. However, the community is working to address these needs through new construction projects, services for the homeless and mentally ill, and volunteer and recreation opportunities.

1. Kelly McArthur
HUMS 1581
Community Mapping Project
Campbell River BC

2. Located on the East Coast of Vancouver Island, Campbell River is home to
three First Nations and they make up 10% of the overall population of 32,000.
Tourism, fishing, forestry, aquaculture and mining are the main industries.

3. Our History
Long before the Europeans arrived, a
migration of the Kwakwaka’wakw people
from further north, overtook the Coast Salish.
The Wekayi settled at Cape Mudge and the
Waiwaikum at Campbell River. (Laich-kwil-tach)
In 1859 the ship HMS Plumper was
charting the area and our river was named
after the ship’s physician Dr. Samuel
Campbell.

4. Campbell River Community Needs and
Capacities
• The first several several slides will document some of Campbell River’s
problems from a needs perspective. The remainder will present the
community from a capacity building perspective.
• The top three areas of concern are related to social problems in my
community.
Homelessness
Mental Health
Unemployment

5. Social Housing
Jobs
More Investment
Campbell River really needs
Facilities for the
Elderly
Programs and
services for the
Mentally Ill
Help !!

6. Homelessness, Mental Health &
Unemployment
• As the cycle of poverty continues to keep
people marginalized they are often isolated
and left to face these challenges alone.
• Our social safety net is failing to provide
solutions for these problems
• The numbers of people in our community
without a safe place to live, adequate food and
sustainable employment , continues to rise.
• The recent closure of our mill put more than
400 people out of work.
• The arrival of Wal-Mart and Target offered new
jobs, but most are part time and pay only
minimum wage.
• People who have Mental Health issues are
most likely to be dealt with by police because
of a lack of facilities to provide day programs
and supervision.

7. New ways of building capacities are at work in our area. They are
made up of the building blocks that I have called Civic Spirit,
Community Spirit, Neighbourhood Spirit and Volunteer Spirit

8. The John Hart Generating Station upgrades-
Just one of the projects underway that is creating
new jobs
Paving the Way for Collaboration
The John Hart Generating Station is
located in the area of the
traditional territory of the We Wai Kai
(Cape Mudge), Wei Wai Kum
(Campbell River) and K’omoks First
Nations. BC Hydro had been
consulting with these First Nations
on a project to replace
the aging generating station and
reduce impacts. In 2012, agreements
were signed with We Wai Kai, Wei
Wai Kum and K’omoks Nations

9. The new Campbell River Hospital is under
construction!
The much anticipated
new hospital is
providing construction
jobs now and is a
community building
block for Campbell
River and the North of
Vancouver Island.
Civic Spirit

10. Neighbourhood Spirit
hope
shelter
Community organizations, businesses and the City
have worked together to provide a shelter for the
Homeless. It will remain in place until the spring.
The community is fashioning a plan for a more
permanent housing solution. This is a Primary building
block that originated here.

11. Secondary Building Blocks: Police, Fire Stations, Ambulance Service and many
other resourses including Elementary and Secondary Schools.

12. Neighbourhood
Spirit
I toured several of the neighbourhoods and asked
residents what they enjoyed about living here. These
are some of their comments:” I can walk along the
sea walk every day”,” I meet friends and learn
Spanish right at the coffee shop”,” The natural
beauty”
“It’s a friendly town”
“I love the Tidemark Theater”

13. Community Services Directory
• http://www.campbellriver.ca/docs/default-source/discover-campbell-river/
community-services-directory.pdf?sfvrsn=0
• A comprehensive directory that gives you complete contact information for
services and organizations. Complied by the John Howard Society.
• NIEFS and Work BC have supports for employment, education and training.

14. Recreation and activities
Community Spirit

15. Volunteer Spirit
Volunteers make Campbell River’s organizations thrive!
There is opportunity to serve the people in our community through volunteering.
Just a few of the options include:
The Campbell River Hospice Society
Habitat For Humanity
The Tidemark Theater
The Campbell River Museum
Campbell River Hospital
River City Players

16. I hope you will come and visit us here!