The Bowen Island Podcast

Don Shafer
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  • Society & Culture

Welcome to the Bowen Island Podcast. Bowen Island, or Nex̱wlélex̱wm, is tucked away in Howe Sound and forms part of the scenic "Sea to Sky" corridor that stretches from West Vancouver through Lions Bay, Squamish, Whistler, and into the Pemberton Valley. This region is home to the Squamish (Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw), Lil'wat (Lil̓wat7úl), or N'Quatqua (N'k̓wátkwa̱), and Tsleil-Waututh Nations, whose rich cultural heritage continues to shape and enrich the area's vibrant community. Known for its breathtaking natural beauty, this region also boasts the UNESCO-designated Átl'ka7tsem/Howe Sound Biosphere Region, highlighting its global significance. The Bowen Island Podcast started by engaging with all of the candidates in the 2022 municipal elections on Bowen Island. In recent episodes, we've expanded our focus to include former mayors, councillors, and other key community figures. Our last initiative was to connect with candidates from the Sea to Sky riding to get their various perspectives, and presently, we're engaged in Bowen's Official Community Plan. Please subscribe/follow to learn when the next podcast is available.

  1. May 24

    Bowen’s Islands Future: Understanding the Draft Official Community Plan

    Bowen’s Future: Understanding the Draft Official Community Plan If you’ve ever wondered whether your children will be able to live on Bowen, worried about water shortages, wildfire risk, ferry traffic, housing diversity, environmental protection, or simply what kind of island future generations will inherit… then you already have a stake in this conversation. In this episode of The Bowen Island Podcast, we talk with  Mayor Andrew Leonard, Daniel Martin (Manager of Planning and Development), and James Crandles (OCP Steering Committee co-chair) to unpack Bowen Island’s proposed Official Community Plan and the current phase of public engagement. Together they explore: • What an OCP is — and what it isn’t • Why Bowen’s OCP is being updated now • The guiding frameworks shaping the draft • Housing diversity, infrastructure  • Biodiversity, stewardship and climate resilience • Transportation, community vitality and circular economy principles • Land use maps, conservation areas and development permit areas • How residents can participate meaningfully during this phase of engagement This conversation is about helping all of us understand the choices, trade-offs and opportunities reflected in the draft — and to encourage your input.  You can learn more at bowenislandmunicipality.ca Thanks to everyone involved Council Liaisons: Alex Jurgensen and Alison Morse BIM Staff: Sarah Baxter, Stef Shortt, Daniel Martin, Xerxes Au    Community members:  Co-Chairs: James Crandles, David McCullum   Steering Committee Frits de Vries, Kiersten Enemark, Adam Lougheed, Melanie Mason, Betty Morton, Channa Pelpola, Glen Shkurhan     The Bowen Island Podcast is produced in a small cabin in the woods on Bowen Island, on the ancestral and unceded territory of the Skwxwú7mesh Úxwumixw — the Squamish Nation — with gratitude for their stewardship of these lands and waters over countless generations. If you’d like to explore more of my work on conversation, community and polarization, you can find me on other broadcast/podcast platforms, including The Conversation Lab, Everything Podcasts.com, Central City Foundations Hope Dialogue, or on Substack.  Thanks for listening

    43 min
  2. Mayor Andrew Leonard "We can't pull up the draw bridge or sink the ferry!"

    01/31/2024

    Mayor Andrew Leonard "We can't pull up the draw bridge or sink the ferry!"

    Just over a year ago, we elected a new municipal council and in this podcast, Mayor Leonard talks about the challenges and opportunities on Bowen Island. Our conversation covers a range of topics including the challenges faced by the municipality, such as housing infrastructure, and grant funding. We also discuss Bowen Island's short-term rental policy and the possibility of establishing a tourism tax. The conversation highlights the need for public engagement and the importance of addressing these issues for the community's well-being. Leonard emphasizes the need for conversations about managing tourism and mitigating climate change. He also mentions the municipality's efforts to promote arts and culture and encourages residents to participate in the budget process and the development of a new official community plan The Bowen Island Podcast is produced in a small cabin in the woods on Bowen Island, on the ancestral and unceded territory of the Skwxwú7mesh Úxwumixw — the Squamish Nation — with gratitude for their stewardship of these lands and waters over countless generations. If you’d like to explore more of my work on conversation, community and polarization, you can find me on other broadcast/podcast platforms, including The Conversation Lab, Everything Podcasts.com, Central City Foundations Hope Dialogue, or on Substack.  Thanks for listening

    44 min
  3. Holly Graff & Richard Smith - The Bowen Island Community Foundation

    05/11/2023

    Holly Graff & Richard Smith - The Bowen Island Community Foundation

    Holly Graff and Richard Smith join us in this episode to talk about the work of the Bowen Island Community Foundation and some of the things that got us here, some great ideas from our neighbors that benefit everyone on the island, and that it's time again for Vital Conversations. The Bowen Island Podcast is produced in a small cabin in the woods on Bowen Island, on the ancestral and unceded territory of the Skwxwú7mesh Úxwumixw — the Squamish Nation — with gratitude for their stewardship of these lands and waters over countless generations. If you’d like to explore more of my work on conversation, community and polarization, you can find me on other broadcast/podcast platforms, including The Conversation Lab, Everything Podcasts.com, Central City Foundations Hope Dialogue, or on Substack.  Thanks for listening

    29 min
  4. Peter Frinton - Fifty Years on (Part 2)

    11/03/2022

    Peter Frinton - Fifty Years on (Part 2)

    Peter Frinton has lived on Bowen with his partner Carol since 1972. He became active politically in the early 90s as a GVRD alternate and then as chair of the APC. He served on Bowen Council for 4 terms and was also an Islands Trust trustee, Metro Vancouver Director, the Mayors' Council delegate to Translink, and he served on the Treaty Advisory Commission. In this episode, he shares some stories with us about life on Bowen, his observations over the years, and how our five levels of government work. This is part two of our conversation about life and politics on a small island. The Bowen Island Podcast is produced in a small cabin in the woods on Bowen Island, on the ancestral and unceded territory of the Skwxwú7mesh Úxwumixw — the Squamish Nation — with gratitude for their stewardship of these lands and waters over countless generations. If you’d like to explore more of my work on conversation, community and polarization, you can find me on other broadcast/podcast platforms, including The Conversation Lab, Everything Podcasts.com, Central City Foundations Hope Dialogue, or on Substack.  Thanks for listening

    1h 5m
  5. Peter Frinton -Fifty Years On... (Part 1)

    10/21/2022

    Peter Frinton -Fifty Years On... (Part 1)

    Peter Frinton has lived on Bowen with his partner Carol since 1972. He became active politically in the early 90s as a GVRD alternate and then as chair of the APC. He served on Bowen Council for 4 terms and was also an Islands Trust trustee, Metro Vancouver Director, the Mayors' Council delegate to Translink, and he served on the Treaty Advisory Commission. In this episode, he shares some stories with us about life on Bowen, his observations over the years, and how our five levels of government work. The Bowen Island Podcast is produced in a small cabin in the woods on Bowen Island, on the ancestral and unceded territory of the Skwxwú7mesh Úxwumixw — the Squamish Nation — with gratitude for their stewardship of these lands and waters over countless generations. If you’d like to explore more of my work on conversation, community and polarization, you can find me on other broadcast/podcast platforms, including The Conversation Lab, Everything Podcasts.com, Central City Foundations Hope Dialogue, or on Substack.  Thanks for listening

    41 min
  6. Bob Turner - A Bowen Island Perspective

    10/16/2022

    Bob Turner - A Bowen Island Perspective

    This is a conversation with Bob Turner. A former Mayor on Bowen Island, conservationist, and filmmaker. I reached out to Bob to help provide context to the many issues we face on this small island, and to understand the politics of environmentalism. The Bowen Island Podcast is produced in a small cabin in the woods on Bowen Island, on the ancestral and unceded territory of the Skwxwú7mesh Úxwumixw — the Squamish Nation — with gratitude for their stewardship of these lands and waters over countless generations. If you’d like to explore more of my work on conversation, community and polarization, you can find me on other broadcast/podcast platforms, including The Conversation Lab, Everything Podcasts.com, Central City Foundations Hope Dialogue, or on Substack.  Thanks for listening

    51 min
  7. Andrew Leonard - Mayoral Candidate

    10/15/2022

    Andrew Leonard - Mayoral Candidate

    Mayoral Candidate Andrew Leonard shares his vision for Bowen Island in the 2022 Municipal Election. The picture was updated when it was announced that he had won. The Bowen Island Podcast is produced in a small cabin in the woods on Bowen Island, on the ancestral and unceded territory of the Skwxwú7mesh Úxwumixw — the Squamish Nation — with gratitude for their stewardship of these lands and waters over countless generations. If you’d like to explore more of my work on conversation, community and polarization, you can find me on other broadcast/podcast platforms, including The Conversation Lab, Everything Podcasts.com, Central City Foundations Hope Dialogue, or on Substack.  Thanks for listening

    33 min
  8. Judi Gedye for Bowen Island Council & The Islands Trust

    10/13/2022

    Judi Gedye for Bowen Island Council & The Islands Trust

    Judi Gedye joins us to talk about life on Bowen Island and why she wants to run for municipal council and the Islands Trust. The Bowen Island Podcast is produced in a small cabin in the woods on Bowen Island, on the ancestral and unceded territory of the Skwxwú7mesh Úxwumixw — the Squamish Nation — with gratitude for their stewardship of these lands and waters over countless generations. If you’d like to explore more of my work on conversation, community and polarization, you can find me on other broadcast/podcast platforms, including The Conversation Lab, Everything Podcasts.com, Central City Foundations Hope Dialogue, or on Substack.  Thanks for listening

    29 min
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About

Welcome to the Bowen Island Podcast. Bowen Island, or Nex̱wlélex̱wm, is tucked away in Howe Sound and forms part of the scenic "Sea to Sky" corridor that stretches from West Vancouver through Lions Bay, Squamish, Whistler, and into the Pemberton Valley. This region is home to the Squamish (Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw), Lil'wat (Lil̓wat7úl), or N'Quatqua (N'k̓wátkwa̱), and Tsleil-Waututh Nations, whose rich cultural heritage continues to shape and enrich the area's vibrant community. Known for its breathtaking natural beauty, this region also boasts the UNESCO-designated Átl'ka7tsem/Howe Sound Biosphere Region, highlighting its global significance. The Bowen Island Podcast started by engaging with all of the candidates in the 2022 municipal elections on Bowen Island. In recent episodes, we've expanded our focus to include former mayors, councillors, and other key community figures. Our last initiative was to connect with candidates from the Sea to Sky riding to get their various perspectives, and presently, we're engaged in Bowen's Official Community Plan. Please subscribe/follow to learn when the next podcast is available.

Information

  • Creator
    Don Shafer
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    13
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Don Shafer
  • Show Website
    The Bowen Island Podcast