Ian Lindsay & Associates: Ian Lindsay of Lindsay and Associates has played an active role in the local community since 1979. He has been with RE/MAX, Vancouver Island's most advanced real estate business network, since 1996, marketing and selling residential, rural, strata, and recreational investment and project development real estate. Ian has received several awards recognizing his exceptional community commitment locally, as well as awards for outstanding performance and achievement from both RE/MAX International and the Vancouver Island Real Estate Board. You'll find true real estate professionals at IanLindsay.ca.

Eddie Van Haddock & The Rockfish: In a little town by the sea where the stories never end, lived Captain Dave and his crew, every child's favourite friend. With a smile as wide as the ocean and a heart that's full of dreams, he sails a mellow submarine where magic gleams and beams. Every morning at sunrise, when the world awakes anew, Captain Dave and his crew set sail in waters deep and blue. Through the ticking clock of time, where adventures come alive, they laugh and learn and play each day in their underwater dive.

Dave Graham: The yellow submarine bobbed gently in the sparkling waters near Gabriola Island. Inside, Captain Dave adjusted his favourite blue captain's hat and tapped on the navigation screen. "That's funny," he said, scratching his bushy beard.

"The navigation system seems a bit confused today." Larry the lobster, his best friend and first mate, clicked his claws cheerfully. "Maybe it just needs a good tap, tap, tapping," he suggested, demonstrating with his bright red claws. Captain Dave smiled at his friend. Larry always made everything seem like an adventure, even when things weren't working quite right.

"According to this wobbly map," Captain Dave said, squinting at the flickering screen, "we should be near some very special rocks on Gabriola Island, but the system can't quite tell me where we are." The submarine's navigation system made a funny beeping sound, like a confused robot trying to sing. The arrow that usually pointed north was spinning round and around like a merry-go-round.

"Well, Larry, my friend, I suppose we'll have to explore the old-fashioned way, by looking with our own eyes," Captain Dave declared. "Hooray for exploring!" Larry cheered. Captain Dave carefully steered the mellow submarine towards the rocky shore of Gabriola Island. The water was crystal clear, and they could see fish swimming by their round windows: silver salmon, purple sea stars, and even a curious seal who waved a flipper at them.

As they approached the shore, Captain Dave noticed something unusual through the periscope. The rocks along the water's edge seemed to have patterns on them—not random marks, but careful, beautiful designs. "Larry, look at this," Captain Dave exclaimed. "These rocks have pictures on them." Larry scuttled over to peer through his own special lobster-sized periscope.

"Oh, I see spirals and shapes. And what is that? A whale! And look, there's something that looks like a Thunderbird." Captain Dave anchored the submarine safely and together they climbed onto the rocky shore. The rocks were even more amazing up close. Carved deep into the sandstone were hundreds of pictures and symbols: images of fish, birds, and mysterious circular patterns.

Some looked like suns with rays spreading outward. Others showed human figures and animals Captain Dave had never seen before. "These must be very, very old," Captain Dave said softly, his voice full of wonder. "Someone carved these pictures here long, long ago." Larry scuttled closer, his eyes wide. "Who made them, Captain, and why?"

"Well, I'm not sure, Larry, but they're beautiful, and we need to be very careful and respectful." Just then, a soft wind began to blow, even though the day had been completely still. The wind seemed to carry whispers—not scary whispers, but gentle ones, like a grandparent telling a story. As the whispers grew clearer, a shimmering figure appeared near the largest petroglyph, a magnificent Thunderbird with its wings spread wide. The figure looked like it was made of morning mist and golden sunlight. It was an elderly woman wearing traditional cedar bark clothing, with kind eyes that sparkled like stars on the water. Captain Dave and Larry stood very still, not frightened, but filled with awe.

"Hello, visitors," the spirit said, her voice like the gentle lapping of waves on the shore. "I am happy you have found our stone stories. I am the spirit of one who carved these pictures many, many seasons ago, when my people thrived on these islands." "Hello," Captain Dave said politely, removing his captain's hat.

"I'm Captain Dave, and this is my friend Larry. We're sorry if we're somewhere we shouldn't be." The spirit smiled warmly. "You are welcome here because you approach with respect and wonder. Many people rush past these stones without seeing their magic, but you stopped to look, to wonder, to care." Larry clicked his claws gently.

"What do the pictures mean? They're so beautiful." The spirit's eyes twinkled. "Come, let me share their stories with you. Each carving holds memories and teachings of my people, the Coast Salish peoples, who have lived here since time immemorial—that means longer than anyone can remember." The spirit floated gracefully to a carving of a killer whale.

"This is the orca. See how powerful and graceful she is. The orca teaches us about family. Orcas travel in pods, always caring for each other, just like our families and communities care for one another." "Like how Captain Dave takes care of me," Larry said cheerfully. "And how you take care of me," Captain Dave added, patting Larry gently. The spirit moved to another carving, showing the sun.

"This is the sun, who brings life to all things. Every morning, the sun rises to warm the earth, help the plants grow, and give us light to see by. My people would thank the sun each day for these gifts." "Ooh, we should thank the sun, too," Larry exclaimed. "Thank you, sun!" he called out to the sky. The spirit laughed, a sound like wind chimes. "You have a good heart, little lobster." She showed them carving after carving, each with its own story. There was the salmon, representing abundance and the cycle of life; the eagle, symbolising strength and connection between earth and sky; spirals that showed the journey of life, always moving, always growing. "My people carved these petroglyphs—that's the special name for rock carvings—to record our stories, mark important places, and connect with the spiritual world," the spirit explained. "They were made over thousands of years by different artists, each adding their own part to this great stone library."

The spirit sat on a smooth rock, though she seemed to float just above it. Captain Dave and Larry gathered close to listen. "These islands—all the lands and waters you see—have been home to Indigenous peoples for thousands and thousands of years," she began. "Long before there were cities or submarines or even wheels, my ancestors lived here, fished these waters, and told stories under these stars. We developed our own languages, our own ways of living with the land and sea. We knew which plants could heal sickness, when the salmon would return, how to build canoes that could travel the rough ocean waters. This knowledge was passed down from grandparent to child, generation after generation."

Captain Dave listened intently. "That's incredible—so much wisdom and knowledge." "Yes," the spirit said, "but I must tell you something important. When new people came to these lands, many of our ways were almost lost. Sacred sites like these petroglyphs were damaged by people who didn't understand their importance."

Larry's antennae drooped sadly. "That's terrible. Why would anyone do that?" "Sometimes people fear what they don't understand," the spirit said gently. "But now, many people are learning to respect and protect these places. Indigenous peoples are teaching others about our cultures, our languages are being learned again, and places like these petroglyphs are being preserved."

The spirit stood and gestured to all the carvings around them. "These stones connect us to our ancestors, to the ancient wisdom, and to the land itself. When you look at them, you are seeing the thoughts and stories of people from long, long ago. Isn't that magical?" "It's the most magical thing ever," Larry exclaimed. "But with this magic comes responsibility," the spirit continued. "These petroglyphs are fragile. They could be damaged by touching, by carving new marks, or by taking pieces away. They belong here on this land, where they were created." Captain Dave nodded seriously. "We would never damage something so special and important." "I know you wouldn't," the spirit smiled.

"That's why I'm appearing to you. I want you to be guardians of this knowledge. When you meet others on your travels, tell them about the importance of respecting Indigenous sites and cultures. Teach them that these places are not just old rocks, but living connections to peoples and cultures that are still here, still strong, still teaching." Captain Dave and Larry spoke together. "We promise," they said. The spirit reached into the air and pulled down what looked like starlight, forming it into two small glowing symbols—one for Captain Dave and one for Larry. "These are gifts to remember your promise," she said. "When you see them glow, remember the stories I've shared and the importance of protecting sacred places."

Captain Dave received a small glowing compass that would always point towards respect and understanding. Larry received a tiny glowing shell that would remind him to listen to the stories of others. "Now," said the spirit with a knowing smile, "about your navigation troubles." Captain Dave laughed. "I almost forgot! Our submarine's navigation system brought us here, but it seemed very confused."

"Perhaps it wasn't confused at all," the spirit said mysteriously. "Sometimes the best navigation doesn't come from machines, but from following your heart and being open to unexpected discoveries. Your submarine knew you needed to find this place today." She pointed to the sea. "The Indigenous peoples who lived here were master navigators. They didn't have computers or satellites. They read the currents, watched the birds, knew the stars, felt the changes in the wind. They could travel from island to island in the thick fog, guided by the sound of the waves on different shorelines." "That's amazing," Captain Dave exclaimed. "Could you teach us?" The spirit shared some of the ancient navigation wisdom. She taught them to watch for the seabirds that always flew towards land in the evening. She showed them how different islands had different smells carried on the wind—cedar from one, wild roses from another. She explained how the currents move differently around each island, creating unique patterns a careful observer could feel. As the sun began to set, painting the sky in brilliant oranges and purples, the spirit began to fade like mist in the morning sun.

"Wait," Larry called out. "Will we see you again?" "I am always here," the spirit said softly, "in every carving, in every story remembered and retold, in every person who stops to respect and learn from these ancient teachings. You don't need to see me to know I'm here." "Thank you for teaching us," Captain Dave said, bowing respectfully. "We'll never forget what we've learned today."

"Remember," the spirit said as she became even more transparent, "Indigenous peoples and cultures are not just history. They are alive today—Indigenous artists, storytellers, teachers, and leaders all around you. Learn from them, listen to their stories, support their communities, and always, always approach their culture with respect and an open heart."

With those final words, the spirit disappeared, but the petroglyphs seemed to glow a little brighter in the setting sun. Captain Dave and Larry made their way back to the submarine, their hearts full of new knowledge and respect. As Captain Dave started the engine, something amazing happened. The navigation system flickered back to life, working perfectly.

"Look, Captain," Larry pointed with his claw. "The compass the spirit gave you is glowing." Indeed, the spiritual compass was glowing, and, surprisingly, the submarine's navigation system seemed to be following its lead. "Captain Dave," Larry asked as the submarine hummed along, "can we visit other Indigenous cultural sites in our travels, but properly, with respect, and maybe with Indigenous guides who can teach us?"

"That's a wonderful idea, Larry," Captain Dave replied. "We should learn about the Indigenous peoples wherever we travel. Every place has its own stories and its own First Peoples who know the land best." As they sailed into the sunset, they saw a pod of orcas swimming alongside them, just like in the petroglyphs. The whales seemed to be escorting them, approving of their promise to protect and share the ancient stories.

Whenever they saw the sunrise, they remembered to be thankful. Whenever they saw orcas, they thought about family and community. And whenever they faced a challenge, they remembered that the best navigation comes not just from machines, but from respect, understanding, and an open heart.

Eddie Van Haddock & The Rockfish: When the night falls softly, and stars light up the sky, Captain Dave tucks his crew in with a gentle lullaby. Dreams of whales and mermaids, of treasures lush and green, await each little sailor aboard the mellow submarine.

Ian Lindsay & Associates: Ian Lindsay of Lindsay and Associates has played an active role in the local community since 1979. He has been with RE/MAX, Vancouver Island's most advanced real estate business network, since 1996, marketing and selling residential, rural, strata, and recreational investment and project development real estate. Ian has received several awards recognizing his exceptional community commitment locally, as well as awards for outstanding performance and achievement from both RE/MAX International and the Vancouver Island Real Estate Board. You'll find true real estate professionals at IanLindsay.ca.