Takes Just One Chief

TAKES JUST ONE CHIEF

Something profound has happened in our Valley regarding the fate of our Community Forest, and the relationship between the Quw’utsun Nation and North Cowichan citizens. A seed has been planted that will have far-reaching consequences, for good or ill, depending on what grows out of it. 

Since 2021, the Municipal Government and Quw’utsun have been in closed-door negotiations about the future of our Six Mountains. 

Whatever they’ve been talking about — conservation? logging? — is a mystery to us. Could be good, could be dreadful. We don’t know. We’ve been excluded from the process. We don’t know why. We’re deeply concerned about this.

Enter the Chief of the Halalt. 

On November 19, in an open public meeting, Chief James Thomas spoke to Council and to the citizens of the Valley.

During negotiations, we’d expect all addresses by a Chief to Council to take place behind closed doors. By speaking in public, the Chief opened the door to the people, as observers, and therefore, on a level, as participants. 

In case you didn’t hear, Chief Thomas had already extended an open hand to our community through a letter to Council, on the public record. He criticized Council’s plan to log in the middle of negotiations, thereby disregarding the Quw’utsun and citizens who’d voted for conservation. 

He spoke about our public consultation. After 2 years, in the dark, feeling ignored and irrelevant, we felt seen and possibly invited back. At least as observers.

The stage was set. Council was about to vote on logging. The pro-logging councillors outnumbered conservation councillors, 4 to 3. Whatever happened in this meeting would be known to thousands.

Hundreds of letters had poured into Council. Where Do We Stand published two articles about the logging. Two years ago, our posts would get about 4,000 views online.  To our amazement, “Here We Go Again“ got 35,936. “Staff Report To The Rescue”, 40,240. It was a sign of the times changing and we all knew it.

The tension in the room was palpable. The Chief was invited to speak. He approached the podium, laughing gently, and in so doing disarmed the room. 

Kindly, without acrimony, he talked about Municipal logging (and of Mosaic/TimberWest) above the Chemainus River, and the consequent flooding that devastated his peoples’ village. 

He generously prefaced the tragic story by saying, “We haven’t created the problems, we’ve inherited them, you as well as me.” He spoke about solutions. 

Almost everyone was deeply moved, including a pro-logging councillor who apologized to Chief Thomas and crossed the floor to vote against logging to continue negotiations with the Quw’utsun.

And just like that, thanks to the Chief, logging was off the agenda. (Our Forest is safe until the upcoming election when we vote in a committed, pro-conservation Council.)

Going forward, what does it mean? 

The times are crazy. (They always are.) What do we do now?

There is a time to come together as a community, a time to take action, and a time to be silent. ’Tis the season for turning inward — a time of contemplation. In the New Year, coming from a place of stillness and goodwill, we can make a difference together.

By his example, Chief Thomas reveals this seed of inspiration, within us all, that could bring our communities together.

In the words of the Chief, “It’s up to you as well as me.” 

We can do this! The fate of our Forest and of future generations depend on us.

Icel Dobell

WhereDoWeStand