Collaborative Governance

CWB Members with elected leaders and staff from Cowichan Tribes and Cowichan Valley Regional District. At the Quw'utsun Sta'lo' / Cowichan River, July 2024. (Photo by Graham Twomey)

The Cowichan Watershed Board is co-chaired by its founding partners, Cowichan Tribes, represented by the Elected Chief, and the Cowichan Valley Regional District, represented by the CVRD Chair. The other board members are drawn from these and other governments, and from people with special expertise about the watershed. All members are appointed by the co-chairs, guided by the seat allocation in the diagram below.

Through this model, Cowichan Tribes and the CVRD have developed strong partnerships and demonstrated a deep commitment to moving down the path of reconciliation. Water—a vital shared resource—has provided a critical vehicle for the partners to respectfully work together. Read more.

CWB Organizational Structure Diagram. Excerpted from the Cowichan Watershed Board Governance Manual Version 4, 2024 (Draft update, pending partner review)

Cowichan Recognition Statement

In March 2018, the CWB unanimously approved incorporating the following statement into the CWB Governance Manual, to acknowledge Cowichan Tribes’ history on the land and inherent rights:

Quw’utsun mustmuhw, ni’ ‘o’ ni’ tthu sht’esulh kws‘i tst ‘u tun’a tumuhw, ‘i ‘o’ hwun st’e. Nilh ‘o’ thu-’it syuw’entst, tun ni’ ‘u kwthu hwun’a mustimuhw‘i wutl’uts’ ’i ‘u tun’a tumuhwtst. Ni’ yuxtse’tum tthu Quw’utsun ‘u tthu-i tumuhw, qa’, kw’atl’kwa tthu ni’ spupin’ ‘u tthu tumuhw, ttho’ mukw’ stem ni’ hakw ni’ ‘u tthu stl’ulnuptst. Kwuthu shtunni’ ’iws tst ni’ yuxtse’tum ‘u ttho’ mukw’ stem ni’ ha’kw kws thuthi’s kws huli-s. O’ nilh tthu Quw’utsun mustumuhw, ni lemuxutunstum ‘u tthu ni’ snuwuntewut ‘u tthu shtunaalhtun, tst. Uwu tumtemus ‘i’ ni’ tst tsmem’t ‘aanlh kws kwun-etewut, hwayum tun’a s’aalh stl’ulnup. Quw’utsun Mustimuhw, ha’kwush tst kw’ stutul’na’mut sxetsul’s kw’ shtuhims tthu stl’ulnuptst. Mukw’ stem ‘o’ slhilukw’tul ‘i’ nilh ni’ shkw’akw’ums tthu sulsuli’tst.

Cowichan Peoples have existing inherent rights. Cowichan as the original Peoples of this territory within which the Cowichan Watershed is included continue the right and responsibility to make informed decisions to manage and organize based on our history and continued connections. As told through time by our ancestors; the lands, waters, seas, minerals, air and all elements interconnected within the territories provided for and can provide a good sustainable life for Cowichan Peoples. Cowichan has never given away this right and continue to govern and make decisions to support the well-being and sustainability of our Peoples and territories.

Governance Documents

CWB Governance Manual Version 3 - 24 Sep 2018 (2024 update under review by the partners currently)
Pathways and Partnerships: A Framework for Collaboration and Reconciliation in the Cowichan Watershed, September 2018

Meetings

Board meetings are normally the last Monday of every month. The public is welcome to attend all meetings. Check the agenda to see if the meeting is in person or online, and request login links/help if needed. Agendas, minutes, and materials for board meetings are posted by date here: https://cowichanwatershedboard.ca/meetings