| Cowichan First Nation

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Community Profile
Community Profile
Last Updated September 8, 2024
  • Name: Cowichan (ISC Code: 642)
  • Former Names:
  • Band Style:
  • Cultural Area:
  • Indigenous Language:
  • Number of Registered Members: 5528
Click below for more information about Cowichan:
Governance

Band Council

  • GOVERNANCE TYPE:
  • TERM EXPIRES: 03/08/2028
  • CHIEF: CINDY DANIELS
  • NUMBER OF COUNCIL MEMBERS: 13
    • CINDY DANIELS Edit
    • FRANCINE ALPHONSE Edit
    • TASHA BROOKS Edit
    • TROY ELLIOTT Edit
    • JENNIFER CHARLIE Edit
    • AUDREY GEORGE Edit
    • HOWIE GEORGE Edit
    • TERRI NADINE GEORGE Edit
    • CALVIN JR SWUSTUS Edit
    • CALVIN SR SWUSTUS Edit
    • AMANDA SYLVESTER Edit
    • DEBRA-ANN TOPOROWSKI Edit
    • CHRISTOPHER ALPHONSE Edit

Contact Information

  • BAND WEBSITE: http://www.cowichantribes.com/
  • PHONE NUMBER: (250) 748-3196
  • FAX NUMBER: (250) 748-1233
  • ADDRESS: 5760 ALLENBY ROAD, DUNCAN, BC
  • EMAILS:
    • Chief CINDY DANIELS:
    • Councillor FRANCINE ALPHONSE:
    • Councillor TASHA BROOKS:
    • Councillor TROY ELLIOTT:
    • Councillor JENNIFER CHARLIE:
    • Councillor AUDREY GEORGE:
    • Councillor HOWIE GEORGE:
    • Councillor TERRI NADINE GEORGE:
    • Councillor CALVIN JR SWUSTUS:
    • Councillor CALVIN SR SWUSTUS:
    • Councillor AMANDA SYLVESTER:
    • Councillor DEBRA-ANN TOPOROWSKI:
    • Councillor CHRISTOPHER ALPHONSE:
    • General Band Office:
    • Media Contact:
    • Referrals Contact:

Laws, Bylaws, and Codes

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Intergovernmental Agreements

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Lands and Traditional Territory

Reserves

  • ISC Code: 6805
    SKUTZ 7
    7.3 Hectares
    COWICHAN LAKE DISTRICT, ON LEFT BANK OF COWICHAN RIVER AT SKUTZ CANYON
    [48.8840146, -124.3063496]
  • ISC Code: 6806
    SKUTZ 8
    14.9 Hectares
    COWICHAN LAKE DISTRICT ON THE COWICHAN RIVER, AT HEAD OF SKUTZ CANYON
    [48.7821919, -123.9532084]
  • ISC Code: 6807
    COWICHAN 9
    17.9 Hectares
    COWICHAN DISTRICT, WEST 1/2 OF SEC 11 RGE 2, NEAR MOUTH OF KOKSILAK RIVER AT HEAD OF COWICHAN BAY
    [48.75449660952086, -123.6827066543837]
  • ISC Code: 6802
    EST-PATROLAS 4
    27.8 Hectares
    SHAWINAGAN DISTRICT, SEC 19, RANGE 5, 2 MILES SOUTH OF COWICHAN BAY
    [48.7141432, -123.6079153]
  • ISC Code: 6804
    KAKALATZA 6
    8.0 Hectares
    SHATLAM DISTRICT, PART OF SEC 7 & 8 RGE 2 ON LEFT BANK OF COWICHAN RIVER
    [48.7688294, -123.8752853]
  • ISC Code: 6799
    COWICHAN 1
    2292.7 Hectares
    COWICHAN DISTRICT, 8 PARCELS OF LAND, QUAMICHAN DISTRICT ANOTHER 8 PARCELS OF LAND
    [48.7725691, -123.6600472]
  • ISC Code: 6800
    THEIK 2
    30.3 Hectares
    COWICHAN DISTRICT, ON SOUTH SHORE OF COWICHAN BAY, EAST COAST OF VANCOUVER ISLAND
    [48.74231, -123.6381933]
  • ISC Code: 6803
    TZART-LAM 5
    6.5 Hectares
    SAHTLAM DISTRICT, PART OF SEC 6, RGE 6, ON LEFT BANK OF COWICHAN RIVER, VANCOUVER ISLAND
    [48.7595175, -123.8287449]
  • ISC Code: 6801
    KIL-PAH-LAS 3
    20.6 Hectares
    COWICHAN DISTRICT SEC 6 RGE 5, ON SOUTH SHORE OF COWICHAN BAY EAST COAST OF VANCOUVER ISLAND
    [48.73863720000001, -123.6107529]

Traditional Territory

  • Katzie Official Traditional Territory Map [pdf]
  • Interactive Map
  • The Cowichan First Nation’s traditional territory encompasses significant portions of the Lower Fraser River, Pitt River, and Pitt Lake. The territory extends through modern-day Langley, Mission, Surrey, New Westminster, Maple Ridge, Pitt Meadows, and Richmond, among others.
  • The Cowichan people have historically used the land for fishing, hunting, and gathering. Significant fishing sites include the Pitt River and Fraser River for salmon harvesting.
  • Interactive Map of Katzie Traditional Territory: Click here to view a detailed interactive map showing the boundaries and key cultural sites.
  • Historical Land Use: The Katzie people have lived in this region for thousands of years, practicing sustainable resource management and protecting sacred areas such as Pitt Lake and its surrounding wetlands. For more information on Katzie’s historical land use, visit Katzie Traditional Land Use Reports.
  • In addition to key fishing sites, the Katzie historically used the upland forests of Blue Mountain for hunting and gathering. This area remains central to Katzie’s cultural practices today.

Land Claims

  • Specific Claims None
  • BC Treaty Process Participation: The Katzie First Nation is a participant in the British Columbia Treaty Process, which aims to resolve land claims and establish new agreements regarding land, resources, and self-governance.
  • Treaty Negotiation Status: Katzie First Nation is currently in **Stage 4** of the BC Treaty Process, where they are negotiating an Agreement-in-Principle with the governments of British Columbia and Canada. This stage focuses on addressing key issues such as land ownership, resource rights, and governance over traditional territories. You can read more about their progress in the process at the BC Treaty Commission.
  • Negotiation Issues: The Katzie First Nation is negotiating on several issues, including:
    • Self-governance over their lands and resources
    • Fishing rights and management of the **Fraser River** and **Pitt River** ecosystems
    • Forest resource management and protection of sacred sites like **Pitt Lake**
    • Economic development opportunities and rights to traditional lands
  • Katzie Treaty Process Summary: For a full overview of Katzie’s involvement in the BC Treaty Process, visit the Katzie First Nation profile on the BC Treaty Commission website.
  • Timeline of Negotiations: Katzie First Nation has been in negotiations since **Stage 1** of the treaty process in the early 1990s. They have achieved significant milestones, including interim agreements on fisheries and land use, while continuing negotiations toward a final treaty agreement.

Lands Administration

  • Land Code: ✔
  • Land Code Document: PDF
  • Land Use Plan: PDF
  • Land Code Contact: N/A
  • Part of Guardians Program: ✔
  • Guardians Program Notes: N/A
  • Related Documents: Environmental Management Plan [Part 1] [PDF]
Consultations and Referrals

Band Submissions

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Consultation Reports

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Band Business Interests

Band Owned Corporations

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Court Records

Downloadable Court Decisions

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Active Court Cases

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Media Reports

Media Reports

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Academic Research

Academic Research

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