All events take place at Vancouver Island University - Cowichan Campus, Lecture Hall 140, 2011 University Way, Duncan.
Topic TBA soon!
The Speakers Series features engaging speakers sharing their knowledge and expertise on topics relevant to the well-being and sustainability of the Cowichan watershed, within Quw’utsun territory. The series is hosted by the Cowichan Watershed Board, with the support of VIU Cowichan and the Real Estate Foundation of BC, and our generous speakers. It occurs on the 3rd Monday of the month, in select months.
PREVIOUSLY IN THE SPEAKERS SERIES
2023
Mon. May 15th 2023 7-8:30 pmXwulqw'selu (Koksilah) Watershed Planning
Years of harsh summer droughts and devastating winter floods in the Koksilah River watershed have impacted the whole watershed ecosystem, First Nations, local food producers, businesses, residents, and more. As a result, this sub-basin of the Cowichan watershed is the focus of a new planning process.
Free. All welcome.
Welcome and Opening by Smaalthun (Larry George )
Larry is a member of Cowichan Tribes and has served as the Director of Lulumexun (Land & Self Governance) for Cowichan Tribes for 20+ years. Larry has been involved in extensive partnerships and initiatives in the watershed including as chair of the Xwulqw’selu Water Sustainability Plan process and as a member of various Internal/External organizations that protect our resources (including the First Nations Fisheries Council, Q'ul-lhanumutsun Aquatic Resources Society, and Fraser Salmon Management Council).
Presentation by Natasha Overduin, Watershed Planning Process Facilitator
Natasha is a professional facilitator with a focus on co-governance. She builds consensus, commitment, and accountability among cross-cultural and multi-disciplinary groups. Her goal is to help groups get to better outcomes – not only on the land and in the water, but in their conversations, relationships, and decision-making. Natasha is constantly trying to figure out how to move the dial on reconciliation and sustainability. She holds an MA in Geography from the University of Victoria. She lives in Nanaimo, BC.
Q&A facilitated by Alison Nicholson, Cowichan Watershed Board member and CVRD Area E Director.
Connect with Alison here. https://www.facebook.com/alisonnicholson.areaE
Dr. Shannon Waters_Photo by Sandy Powlik
Mon. April 17th 2023 7-8:30 pm
Our Ecosystem is our Health System
Join us for a Presentation by Dr. Waters that intertwines Western and Indigenous knowledge concerning the interconnections between human health and our environments. Shannon will relate her experiences and research as a family doctor, Medical Health Officer, and indigenous community member, guided by the Quw'utsun teachings:
Hwialasmut tu tumuhw. Take care of this Earth.
Mukw' stem 'l 'utunu tumuhw, 'o' hulitun tst, mukw' stem 'i 'utunu tumuhw 'o' slhiilhukw 'ul. Everything on this Earth is what sustains us; everything on this Earth is connected together.
Speaker:
Dr. Shannon Waters is a Public Health & Preventative Medicine Physician, Environmental Connector, Watershed Advocate, and Weaver of words. She is also the Cowichan Valley Medical Health Officer, a Cowichan Watershed Board Member, Coast Salish community member. Learn more here: https://www.drshannonwaters.com/sxwi-em-storytelling
The event will be facilitated by Tom Rutherford, Cowichan Watershed Board's Director of Strategic Priorities (aka Fish Guy).
Free (with thanks to Vancouver Island University-Cowichan and the Real Estate Foundation of BC)
All welcome. Masks will be available for those who wish. Please stay home if you are sick. There may be elders in attendance. Thank you for your consideration.
Photo by Sandy Powlik
The Speakers Series features engaging speakers sharing their knowledge and expertise on topics relevant to the well-being and sustainability of the Cowichan watershed, within Quw’utsun territory. The series is hosted by the Cowichan Watershed Board, with the support of VIU Cowichan and the Real Estate Foundation of BC, and our generous speakers. It occurs on the 3rd Monday of the month, in select months.
March2023 XPey'Speaker Night at VIU Cowichan.
Safeguarding Xpey'/Cedar: Central to local culture and ecosystems for millennia, this tree, called XPey' by the Quw'utsun indigenous people, is under stress in our watershed. Learn why, and what Quw’utsun elders, tree scientists, and others are doing to safeguard Cedar for the future.
Speakers:
- Qwiyahwultuhw Robert George, elder, (Quw'utsun' Cultural Connections),
- Heather Pritchard, eco-forestry consultant, and
- Lise van der Merwe, research scientist, Cowichan Lake Research Station, BC Ministry of Forests
The event will be facilitated by Cowichan Watershed Board member, CVRD Director, and forest ecologist, Alison Nicholson.
This event is presented in partnership with Quw'utsun' Cultural Connections.
Download the poster here or join the Facebook event page here
Speakers Series was not offered in 2020-2022 due to CoVid19.
2020
Feb - The Koksilah - Learning our Landscape. Ecologist and Registered Professional Forester, Heather Pritchard, will present the first phase of work commissioned by the Cowichan Station Area Association's Koksilah Working Group, "An Ecosystem-Based Analysis of the Koksilah River Watershed." Heather's presentation will describe the methodology and findings of the project, focusing on the historical character and current condition of the watershed. More info: https://cowichanstation.org/koksilah/
Jan - We Need to Talk: How to talk about the Climate Crisis in your Social Circles in ways that Spark Engagement instead of Ostracism. With Will Cole-Hamilton. (Full presentation - Please note that Will is happy to present in person to other groups if you are able to arrange a venue.)
2019
Nov- Watch out Suckers! Considering Cowichan Lake Lamprey in Watershed Management. With Joy Wade
Oct - Wild Fins - with Dr. Dave Preikshot Apr - The Warmer Land - Earth Week Speakers Night. (See Tom's section of this night here: https://youtu.be/IGSMkGDAwio)
Mar - Willi Jansen & Mark Kissinger, The Enforcers: Meet our Conservation and Fishery Officers Feb - Killer Whales and Legal Tales, with EcoJustice Lawyer Devon Page 2018 Nov - Voices of our Watersheds Oct - Bringing Back the Bluebirds with Genevieve Singleton Sep - Will Duguid, Chinook Growing Pains Apr - Elke Wind, Amphibian Biologist Mar - Gord & Anne Baird, Rainwater Harvest, Greywaters Systems Feb - David Polster, Restoring Damaged Systems Using Native Plants Jan - Al Gore, An Inconvenient Sequel 2017 Oct - Tom Gleeson, How Much Groundwater is on Earth Sep - Natalie Anderson & Paul Siggers, Walking in the Watershed: A Cowichan Tribe’s Perspective Jun - Ben Robinson, WELL SMART! - Get to know your H2O May - John Borrows, Sources & Contemporary Uses of Indigenous Law Apr - Jackie Hildering, Humpback Comeback Mar - Kevin Pellett, Take a Peek at our PITs! Feb - Nikki Wright, Inshore Marine Habitats 2016 Nov - Dr. Dave Preikshot, Salmon in the Somenos Basin Sep - Oliver Brandes & Rosie Simms, BC's new Water Law Jun - Dr. Bethany L. Coulthard, Forecasting Drought through Tree-rings May - Stan Orchard, The American Bullfrog Apr - David Campbell, Flow Forecasting with Snow-Pillow Technology Mar - Elizabeth May, Climate Change Jan - Emily Doyle-Yamaguchi, Bruce Fraser & Barry Gates, EcoForestry
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