Cowichan Valley Anti-Racism Statement

Cowichan Valley Leaders Condemn Racism; Call for Renewed Community Cohesion

February 5, 2026

Cowichan Valley, B.C. - Leaders from Cowichan Tribes, Cowichan Valley Regional District, City of Duncan, Municipality of North Cowichan, Cowichan Valley School District, and the North Cowichan-Duncan RCMP met in January to discuss the collective wellbeing of citizens in our region. A key topic of concern discussed at the meeting was growing anti-Indigenous racism.

Today, they were joined by the Towns of Ladysmith and Lake Cowichan in issuing this Cowichan Valley Anti-Racism Statement:

“We want to recognize previous Cowichan Tribes Chief, the late William Seymour, for the work he did to bring leaders across the Cowichan Valley together to address racism in 2017 and 2021. While it is lamentable that we must continue to speak out on this topic, the relationships that late Chief Seymour fostered with partners in the region remain strong. These relationships are essential for our work together on regional issues.

While divisiveness and blame make popular sound bites and social media posts, they do not lead to solutions. We know that innovative solutions that enhance the quality of life of all people require a willingness to have meaningful conversations, learn from one another, and collaborate. Examples of what has been accomplished when Cowichan Valley leaders, organizations, and citizens roll up our sleeves to work together in a good way include:

The Village on Trunk Road, located in the City of Duncan and operated by the Lookout Housing and Health Society, provides 34 sleeping units to the unhoused, daily meals, and access to supports and skills training available through local service providers, including Cowichan Tribes.
The new Mischa Lelum, Youth Emergency Shelter, operated by the Canadian Mental Health Association – Cowichan Valley, is the result of the advocacy of the Cowichan Youth at Home Team, local fundraising through CHMA – Cowichan Valley’s annual Coldest Night of the Year Walk, the generosity of the Mischa Weisz Foundation, and provincial funding.
The Cowichan Watershed Board, which brings together Cowichan Tribes and the Cowichan Valley Regional District with representatives from the community, and local, provincial, and federal bodies to care for the watershed that sustains us all.
Each year on September 30^th, the Every Child Matters Walk is organized by Cowichan Tribes Councillor Audrey George and supported by the City of Duncan and many local organizations, bringing together thousands of people across the Cowichan Valley in the spirit of reconciliation.

Who we are as residents of the Cowichan Valley is defined by our actions. We must act together to protect and ensure our region remains the beautiful community we know and love, where we raise our families, and continue to come together to address challenges.

We remain committed to this work and invite our partners, community groups, businesses, and all residents across the Cowichan Valley to join us in recognizing that the wellbeing of our community depends on our ability to stand together as humans and neighbours who respect, support, and care for one another. Please sign on as a supporter of this statement against racism and hate in our community.”

Quotes from Local Leadership

Sulsulxumaat, Chief Cindy Daniels, Cowichan Tribes:

“Our citizens are increasingly concerned for their safety due to the rise in hate they are experiencing. From posts and comments on social media, to remarks made by fellow shoppers in local stores, to being shouted at from passing vehicles, the negativity directed at our citizens is unfounded and wrong.

“One of our snuy’uw’ulh (teachings) shared by our Elders is to help one another and work together for the good of all. We know most residents in the region are respectful people. Each day, our citizens and staff work alongside colleagues and partners to care for our communities and people across the region. We are calling on our allies to take an active role in calling out racism and saying no to hate.”

Kate Segall, Chair, Cowichan Valley Regional District:

“Racism harms all of us as a society; it creates fear, fractures trust, and undermines dignity. When racism goes unchallenged, it weakens the collective care and respect that all communities depend on. Positive change starts with awareness and accountability. Let’s support one another as neighbours and community members by choosing kindness and fairness through our words and our everyday actions.”

Michelle Staples, Mayor, City of Duncan:

“Racism is real and sadly alive in our community. I've sat with families who are subjected to assaults of racism as they venture into social situations, businesses, and online communities. I’ve listened to Elders who are exhausted from repeating the same truths for decades and young people having to work twice as hard at everything they do to overcome the stereotyping and ignorance they face on a daily basis while they are simply trying to live their lives.

“And I've lived through what’s possible when we choose each other, the times we walk with our neighbours instead of turning our backs on them. The decision to face racism relies on the actions of each one of us to use our voices to stand up to hate, our minds to educate ourselves, and our hearts to guide us. That’s the Cowichan Valley I believe in and work for every day.”

Rob Douglas, Mayor, Municipality of North Cowichan:

“The Cowichan Valley is built on caring for one another, and when we listen, reflect, and treat each other with respect, we all benefit. Choosing kindness and accountability over division brings people together, and I stand with our regional partners and Cowichan Tribes in denouncing racism, affirming that everyone deserves to be treated with dignity.”

Lorna Vomacka, Deputy Mayor, Town of Lake Cowichan:

“The Town of Lake Cowichan Mayor, Council, and Staff stand firmly with Cowichan Tribes against hate and racism of all forms and character. There is no room in our communities for hatred against any person based on their ethnicity, culture, or gender. It takes less energy to build a person up than it does to tear them down, so let's build community one person at a time with love, compassion, and understanding.”

Deena Beeston, Mayor, Town of Ladysmith:

“The rise of racism in the Cowichan Valley is not only alarming, but profoundly unacceptable. These attitudes and behaviours inflict real harm on individuals and further divide our communities. Confronting racism and embracing respect, understanding, collaboration, and inclusivity remain essential for our shared progress.”

Cathy Schmidt, Board Chair, Cowichan Valley School District:

“As a Board of Education, we stand firmly against racism. Every student, family, and community member deserves safety, dignity, and respect. Anti‑racism is not a single action—it is a shared responsibility. We remain committed to walking this path together, listening, learning, and ensuring our schools uphold the values of equity and inclusion. We call on our entire community to join us in taking an active stand against racism—challenge harmful behaviours, amplify marginalized voices, and show your support by signing onto this statement against racism in our community.”

Ken Beard, Staff Sergeant, North Cowichan – Duncan RCMP:

"As a community we must challenge racist actions when we see them. It is our collective responsibility to show others there is no place for racist comments or behavior in our community. By taking a stand against others who perpetuate racist views, we can positively contribute to everyone's safety and the community's sense of unity."

Supporters

Organizations

Add your organization. Join the list of supporters
Canadian Mental Health Association – Cowichan Valley Branch
Cowichan Community Action Team
Cowichan Watershed Board
Cowichan Valley Youth Services
Cowichan Women Against Violence Society
Cowichan Youth at Home
Eldercare Partnership in Cowichan
Our Cowichan Communities Health Network
Khowutzun Development Corporation
Alexander Elementary PAC
Cowichan Intercultural Society
First Nations Health Authority, Vancouver Island Region
Somenos Marsh Wildlife Society
Sunrise Waldorf School
Social Planning Cowichan
Cowichan Women's Health Collective
Cowichan Community Policing & Engagement Society
South Cowichan Community Policing Advisory Society
Cowichan Pride Society
Koksilah Watershed Group
Cowichan Station Area Assoc and the Hub
Cowichan Brain Injury Society
Clements Centre

Individuals & Businesses

Add your name. Join the list of supporters here.

Abbie Price, Nanaimo
Addy Davidson, Ladysmith
Al Siebring, Former Mayor, North Cowichan
Alex Lloyd, Duncan
Alice Stubbs
Alison Nicholson, CVRD Director, Cowichan Station
Alissa Kazakoff, Nanaimo
Allison Albrecht, Duncan
Allison Hutchinson
Allison Savory, Cobble Hill
Alyona Latsinnik, Cobble Hill
Amanda Jacobson, Councillor, Town of Ladysmith
Amanda Marchand, North Cowichan
Amrit Powell, North Cowichan
Andy Gore
Ania Cronin, Chemainus
Ann Andersen, Duncan
Ann Rogers, 4th gen settler on unceded Stz’uminus territory at Ladysmith
Anne Marie Thornton, Cowichan Bay, BC
Anne Matheson
Arica Alder
Arlene Elphicke, Parksville
Audrey Larson, Victoria
Barb Ruegg, Sahtlam
Barbara Gray-Wiksten, Lower Sahtlam
Barry Hetschko. Quw’utsun
Becky Hayton
Ben Maartman, Electoral Area Director Diamond/North Oyster, CVRD
Bernadette Alphonse, Duncan
Betty Worthy, Duncan
Beverly Seip, Modern Acupuncture and Laser Therapy
Beverly Suderman, City of Duncan
Billie Kinsley, North Cowichan
Bob & Helen Nation, Duncan
Bradley Langerud, Crofton
Brenda Currie, Ladysmith
Brenda Stevenson, Duncan
Brennan Gohn MacDonald, Quw’utsun
Brent Fraser, North Cowichan
Brian Tattam North Cowichan
Bronwyn Farley, Victoria
Cailey Foster, North Cowichan
Candace Kirby, Sanctuary for the Heart, Chemainus
Carrie White, Duncan
Cass Anderson, Duncan
Catherine Lines Antoniuk, North Cowichan
Cathie Camley
Cathy Hamilton, North Cowichan (Quw'utson)
Cathy Nugent, Chemainus
Cayla, Russ & Everly Hoefsloot, Unceded Territory of Stz’uminus People
Cheryl Bakke Martin, Inspirations Studio, Cobble Hill
Cheryl Lien, Sensory Balance Space Inc., Nanaimo
Chris Istace, North Cowichan
Christine Thompson, North Cowichan
Christoph Steeger, Lower Sathlam
Clara Rempel, Chemainus and Duncan.
Clive Michael Justice
Colleen Browne
Colleen Davis
Colleen Mullin, Duncan
Conrad Murphy
Councillor Ray Gourlay, Town of Ladysmith, Ladysmith
Cowichan Pflag, Duncan
Cowichan Recyclists
Cyrene Cardriver
Dale Kelly, North Cowichan
Daniele Behn Smith, Lekwungen territories, Victoria
Danielle Alphonse, Saanich
Danni Paydli, Ladysmith
David Barber, North Cowichan
David Wall, Ladysmith
Deanne Mineau, French Creek, Parksville
Deborah Pugh, Nanaimo
Delwyn Smith, Sidney
Dianne Hinton
Dominic Rockall
Donald Wakeham, Victoria
Donn Stanley, Nanaimo
Donna Klockars
Doug Drummond, Lake Cowichan
Duck Paterson, Ladysmith
E Ellis, Duncan
Eduardo Sousa
Elizabeth Booth, Lake Cowichan
Ellisha Blackburn
Erika Colebank, Duncan
Erin Kapela
Estelle Matheson, Cowichan Bay
Evelyn Taylor, Duncan
Fernando Polanco
Fiona McLagan, Prodigy Movement, North Cowichan
Frank Wall, Duncan
Gail Calderwood, Chemainus
Gavin Duncan, Victoria
Genevieve R. Singleton
Gillian Thomas-Martin, North Cowichan
Grace Golightly, North Cowichan
Gretchen Hartley, Xwulqw'selu Watershed
Guy Johnston
Heartwood Notary Group
Heather Prescott, North Cowichan
Hilary Henegar
Holly Hochstadt, Duncan
Into the Garden Inc., Ladysmith
Irma Soemodihardjo, North Cowichan
James Chumsa, North Cowichan
Jan Pullinger, Gabriola Island
Janeen Kidd, Land of Ts'uubaa-asatx
Janet James Norton, Nanaimo
Janna Jorgensen, Shawnigan Lake
Jason Farrugia, Chemainus
Jen Millar, Duncan
Jenni Capps, City of Duncan
Jennifer Hotner
Jerry Rothstein, Gestalt Institute of Canada
Jessica Barker
Jessica Beausoleil, Duncan
Jill Thompson, Hwtl'upnets, Maple Bay
K. L. Pickett, Cobble Hill
Jo Lemay
Joan Milne, Crofton
Joanna Lord, North Cowichan
Joanne Circle, Cowichan Station
Joanne Hughes, Joanne Hughes Consulting Inc
Joanne Meredith, Cobble Hill
Jodi Strom, Duncan
Joe Elliott, Cowichan/Duncan
John Emery, Langley
Joy Dubé
Joyce Babula, Gabriola Island
Julianne Kasmer, Victoria
Julie Gordon
Justin Straker, CVRD Area E
Karen Allen, Ladysmith
Karen Davis North Cowichan
Kate Segall
Kathy Code, Environmental Activist, Cobble Hill
Kathy Shaw, Gabriola Island
Kayla Holloway, Cumberland
Kayla Reid, North Cowichan
Keith Lawrence, Cowichan Valley
Kelly Girvan, QSS VP
Kelsie Robinson, Campbell River
Kerry Marcus, Gabriola Island
Kim Barnard, Showe'luqun (Shawnigan Lake)
Kim Grantham, Shawnigan Lake
Kim Nakahara, Ladysmith
Kim Robinson, Westholme
Kim Young, Duncan
Kroffat Brake & Wheel Duncan
KVK Art
Laurie Williams
Larissa Barry-Thibodeau, North Cowichan
Laura McLean, Duncan
Laurel Circle, Cowichan Valley Naturalists, Duncan
Laurie Harding, unceded Quwutsun Territory, Insight Antiracism
Leah Patterson, North Cowichan
Leanna Boyer, Salt Spring
Leanne Kelly, Faculty School of Nursing, University of Victoria
Leanne Tombe
Lex Martel, Lake Cowichan
Linda Hicks, North Cowichan
Linda Muir, RPN, Lake Cowichan
Linnea Strom, Ladysmith
Lisa Cooper, North Cowichan
Lisa Butler and Pollen Heath, Watercliff Farm, Gabriola Island
Lisa Hitch, Duncan
Lizzie Muzyka, Nanaimo
Lois Shand
Lorna Vomacka, Town of Lake Cowichan
Lydia West, Medix EMS / SurvivalTech, Duncan
Lynn Hawkes
Lynn Nelson, Ladysmith
Lynn Wilson, Cobble Hill
Madeline Swain
Maëve Leduc, Coast Salish Territories
Maia Knoll, North Cowichan
Margaret Donald
Mariko Yanagawa, Duncan
Mark Syme, Chemainus
Mary Lynn Bancroft
Mathew Davydiuk
Matt Vickers, Vickers and Associates, Sechelt
Maureen Erasmus, Ladysmith
Meaghan Hyslop, Shawnigan Lake
Meredith Potter, Maple Bay
Michael Foster
Michael Kelly, City of Duncan
Michael Young, Duncan
Miche Digue, North Cowichan
Michelle de Vries, Cowichan Bay
Michelle Heinz, City of Duncan, Duncan
Michelle Redfern, Cobble Hill
Michelle Rose Fishing
Moira McNairnay
Monika Kawka, Cowichan Hospice, North Cowichan
Nava Sachs
Nicole Lorusso, Lake Cowichan
Nora Livingstone, North Cowichan
Oline Nickell, Lake Cowichan
Pamela Bonnell, Duncan
Patricia Glover Accounting
Patrick Jackson, Duncan
Patti Talbot, Duncan
Randy Nobel, North Cowichan
Peter Brinda, North Cowichan
RBS Managed IT Services Inc., Duncan
Rebecca Gourlay, Resident of Ladysmith
Rebecca Martone, Cobble Hill
Revolve Cowichan, Cowichan Valley
Rhoda Taylor
Richard Palmer, Cowichan Station
Richard Fortier, Duncan
Richelle Walker, Duncan
Roger Crowther, Duncan
Rolando Aguilera
Ronen Segall
Rosemary Michie, Shawnigan Lake
Roundtable Consulting, Salt Spring Island
Ruth Malli, Chemainus
Sadie Bartram
Sandra Thomson, Glenora
Sara Wilson
Sarah Angela Clarke, Ladysmith
Sarah McCool
Sarah Mullock, Cowichan Bay
Sarah Rosen
Scott Scholefield, RPF
Seairra Courtemanche
Selchie Middleton, Glenora
Sharon Jackson, Duncan
Sharon Macleod, Nanaimo
Sheriden Collyer-Valens, Snuneymuxw
Silvia Graber, Lake Cowichan
Stephanie Brossard, Nanaimo
Stephanie Kok, Ladysmith
Steve Walter
Sue Baker, Shawnigan Lake
Susan Bear (Ssun), Chemainus
Susan Cottell, Duncan
Susan Norman, North Cowichan
Susan Rankin, Cowichan Bay
Tami Edwards, Saltair
Tanya Rayner, North Cowichan
Tara Cooper, Duncan
Tara Zwaan, Mill Bay
Ted Wright, Bopoma Community Music, North Cowichan
Teresa Bucknum, North Cowichan
Teri Young
Thomas Hleck
Tina Martin, Cowichan Bay
Tobi Elliott, Elected Trustee, Gabriola Island, Islands Trust
Tom Rutherford
Tom Strong, Duncan
Tom Workman, Maple Bay
Tracey True, Cowichan Bay
Tricia Bowler, Upper Sahtlam
Valerie Russell, North Cowichan
Vanessa Bramhill, North Cowichan
Virgil Harold Taylor III
Vivi de Graff
Wendi Galczik, North Cowichan
Wendy Wearne
Zena Green

Cowichan Valley Anti-Racism Statement