Chief Lydia Hwitsum – Co-Chair
David Slade
Kate Segall – Co-Chair
Calvin Swustus Sr
Christopher Alphonse
Alison Nicholson
Mayor Michelle Staples
Tim Kulchyski
The Honourable David Anderson
Dr. David Froese
Dr. Shannon Waters
Kristine Sandhu
Chief Lydia Hwitsum – Co-Chair
Co-Chair Chief Lydia Hwitsum, Chief of Cowichan Tribes First Nation
Chief Cindy Daniels has been a dedicated leader within the Cowichan Tribes First Nation since her election to council in 2009. Over her tenure, she has served six two-year terms as a councillor. In 2021, she stepped in as Acting Chief for several months.
Chief Daniels has held significant roles in the Nation’s administration, including General Manager from April 2017 to September 2018 and Acting Chief Administrative Officer in 2023. Her extensive experience in both governance and management underscores her commitment to the Cowichan community.
David Slade
David Slade – former President of the BC Groundwater Association
David Slade was born and raised in the Cowichan Valley and spent his working life as a water well driller and partner, now retired, in the third generation well drilling firm, Drillwell Enterprises, located in Duncan. In this capacity, David served for 12 years on the executive of the BC Groundwater Association, including terms as President and Vice President.
David is a founding member and treasurer of the Cowichan Watershed Board and his ongoing community services includes 26 years on the Board of Trustees for the Mill Bay Fire Department, Vice Chair of Friends of Rails to Trails Vancouver Island and Secretary of the Thetis Island Port Commission.
David and his partner of more than 40 years, Kelly, live on a small farm in Cobble Hill from which he practices his passion for sustainability and action on Climate Change. David and Kelly are so grateful to call the Cowichan Valley home and fortunate to have their four children and seven grandchildren all living in parts of this paradise on Southern Vancouver Island.
Kate Segall – Co-Chair
Co-Chair Kate Segall, Chair of Cowichan Valley Regional District
Kate Segall is dedicated to fostering a vibrant and inclusive community through active leadership and collaboration. As Chair of the Cowichan Valley Regional District and Area Director of Mill Bay/Malahat, Kate strives to listen to residents, address their concerns, and build strong partnerships to drive meaningful change.
With a background in microbiology from the University of British Columbia, Segall brings a thoughtful, science-based approach to problem-solving, guided by a deep respect for Truth and Reconciliation. Her leadership reflects a commitment to creating a community where families can thrive, businesses can prosper, and all voices are valued and heard.
Calvin Swustus Sr
Calvin Swustus Sr –Swutth'tus, Cowichan Tribes Councillor
Calvin is from the Village of Kwa’mutsun, has lineage to the villages of Lhumlhumuluts, Qwum'yiqun, Xinupsum, Malahat, and Katzie. Calvin has four siblings.
He graduated school in 1975 and spent two years working in Silviculture. In 1978, Calvin joined the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) and was decorated with the RCMP Long service and Good Conduct Medal. Calvin was decorated by the National Indigenous Veterans Association and is a recipient of the Premiers Award Promoting Innovation and Excellence.
Calvin was first elected as a Cowichan Tribes Councillor in 1995 and has served 26 years as an elected official. He has developed a recognized Restorative Justice Program for Cowichan Tribes, developed Justice programs by networking with the local and neighboring Law and Justice agencies. He has various portfolio committees, along with Cowichan Tribes Treaty, Cowichan Tribes Elder Treaty committee, Cowichan Nation Alliance committee, Child Law Legislation, Education, Health, Khowutzun Development Corporation. The full list is available here. He was appointed to the Cowichan Watershed Board in 2024.
Christopher Alphonse
Christopher Alphonse, Cowichan Tribes Councillor
Chris has worked in the construction industry since 1980 and became a certified carpenter in 1984. He brings over 17 years of experience as a First Nations Building Inspector.
As a Quw’utsun Council member, Chris actively contributes to a variety of committees, including Finance & Audit, Housing, Tumuhw’, Land Investigations, Cowichan Tribes Treaty, Cowichan Nation Alliance, Education, Youth & Recreation, and Governance Policy & Law.
Alison Nicholson
Alison Nicholson – CVRD Director, Area E (Cowichan Station, Glenora, Sahtlam)
Alison was honoured to become the CVRD Director for the Cowichan Station/Sahtlam/Glenora area in 2014. The Chemainus, Cowichan and Koksilah rivers all pass through Area E and working with the community to care for those watersheds is her number one priority. She has a background in biology, ecology, and public administration and lives on a small farm in the Koksilah watershed.
Alison is also a founding member of the Cowichan Station Area Association and its Koksilah Watershed Working Group. She volunteers as a Xwulqw’selu Watershed Planning Community Advisory Team member, Xwulqw’selu Connections groundwater monitoring project, a member of the Koksilah Low Flow Working Group, and other community initiatives.
Mayor Michelle Staples
Mayor Michelle Staples – Mayor of Duncan
Michelle Staples is a long-term Cowichan Valley resident, a mother and self employed entrepreneur with a long history of bringing people together on projects that are important to the Cowichan Valley. She was first elected as a Councillor in 2011. After two terms on Council, in 2018, Michelle became the first female Mayor for the City of Duncan.
Mayor Staples has deep respect for the First Peoples of this land and is honoured to live on Coast Salish territory. Michelle believes that decisions of Council must be made keeping in mind that every decision made impacts the land and its resources and leaves a legacy that will effect generations to come. Development must be done in ways that support the highest vision the City of Duncan can create for itself and Council must always be accountable for its decisions and how they affect the lives and wellbeing of the people we serve.
Michelle previously worked as a part time executive director and a private contractor in community development and she is currently, slowly working towards a Masters in Integrated Studies focused on Community Development and Social Justice.
Tim Kulchyski
Tim Kulchyski – Natural Resource Consultant, Cowichan Tribes
Tim Kulchyski is a community member of Cowichan Tribes. He has worked with a variety of clients assessing upland, freshwater and marine ecosystems for over 20 years. His work often involves examining the impacts of development on cultural values. Recently he participated in a program to control invasive plants in the watershed. Tim has traveled extensively studying the interaction between resource issues and cultural heritage. He was involved in a major Hul’qumi’num language revitalization initiative. Tim now works as a Natural Resource Consultant in the Cowichan Tribes Lands and Self-Governance Department and serves as a member of the Cowichan Watershed Board.
Tim also serves as Co-Chair of the Cowichan Watershed Society
The Honourable David Anderson
The Honourable David Anderson – Former Federal Fisheries Minister, Former Federal Environment Minister
David Anderson’s experiences include an Olympic silver medal (rowing), foreign service, environmental consultant, professor, Member of the BC Legislature, and Member of Parliament. David was elected as an MP six times and held four Cabinet portfolios including Transport, Fisheries and Oceans and Revenue. In addition he was Canada’s longest standing Environment Minister. A fisherman, David is an active outdoors enthusiast and has a special fondness for the Cowichan region. In the 1990s, he was instrumental in the Cowichan River being designated as a Canadian Heritage River. David has received numerous awards and two honorary degrees for his support for the environment.
David also serves on the Cowichan Watershed Society.
Dr. David Froese
Dr. David Froese, former fisheries biologist, medical doctor
Dave Froese has been a family doctor in the Cowichan Valley for over 30 years. Before entering Medicine at UBC he worked as a fisheries biologist. He has worked for the D.F.O., M.O.E., West Water Research and The Environmental Land Use Committee. He lived with his family at Green’s Pool on the upper Cowichan for 5 years. They used the river as a water source for drinking in the winter. Dave has served as Medical Chief of Staff for Cowichan District Hospital, president of the Cowichan Valley Medical Society, president of the Medical Undergraduate Society of BC, and Chief Intern of Victoria General Hospital. Dave now works in Lake Cowichan as a family doctor and is on and in the water as much as possible. He continues to have a passionate interest in the health of the Cowichan River and all of its surrounding environs.
Dr. Shannon Waters
Dr. Shannon Waters, Deputy Provincial Health Officer, Planetary and Water Health, Office Of the Provincial Health Officer
Dr. Shannon Waters is Coast Salish and a member of Stz’uminus First Nation on Vancouver Island, with many family ties to Cowichan Tribes. She was honored to work in her home territory as a family doctor but became largely frustrated with the health system's focus on sickness and instead chose to focus on what keeps us well. Shannon completed her specialty training in Public Health and Preventive Medicine. She has worked in this field federally, provincially and at First Nations organizations. Shannon was honored to come full circle and work in her home territory as the local Medical Health Officer with Island Health. Her priorities in her work were connection to the environment, mental wellness, and maternal/child/family health. In 2024 Dr. Waters became the first ever Deputy Provincial Health Officer, Planetary and Water Health, in the province of BC.
Shannon also serves on the Cowichan Watershed Society. Read more: drshannonwaters.com
Kristine Sandhu
Kristine Sandhu, Lake Cowichan Councillor
Councillor Sandhu has served on the Town of Lake Cowichan council previously for a 2005-2008 term and was re-elected a council member in October, 2018 for a four year term. She is loving what she learns through her involvement in the Cowichan Watershed Board. She is married and is the mother of three children.
Kristine also serves as the Co-Chair of the Cowichan Watershed Society.
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