The Cowichan Watershed Board (CWB) is committed to the following principles:
- Partnership: The Board is built on a collaborative partnership among Cowichan Tribes and the CVRD (the partners) and seeks to engage and bridge the interests of governments, regulatory agencies, local water stakeholders and citizens.
- Representation: The Board members are appointed to serve the best interests of Cowichan Basin citizens and the region as a whole in a manner that is consistent with federal and provincial interests that support sound watershed management. Members selected are, to the greatest extent possible, local community leaders and/or known water management champions-related experts.
- Watershed Emphasis: The CWB’s priorities and activities are guided by a vision for the watershed as a whole that is based on ecological sustainability and “whole of watershed” thinking.
- Transparency: To the greatest extent possible, the actions and decisions of the CWB will be transparent and open.
- Nutsamat kws yaay’us tth qa’: We come together as a whole to work together to be stronger as partners for the watershed. This is an ancient Cowichan Tribes principle. Orientation in the application of the principle will be provided by the Co-Chairs. (“Nutsamat”
Living up to Nutsamat
The CWB receives training in this principle from Cowichan community members and knowledge keepers. Achieving this is a significant goal, and the CWB takes meaningful steps toward it through initiatives such as:
- Recognition of territory. Territorial recognition is demonstrated in the Cowichan Recognition Statement, which was supported unanimously for inclusion in the CWB’s Governance Manual (2018), and verbally by CVRD and CWB leaders during public meetings.
- Active inclusion of Cowichan Tribes culture and language in CWB events and meetings. Both the CVRD Chair and CWB Executive Director have taken Hul’q’umi’num’ language classes to be able to open a meeting in both languages. Important meetings begin with a welcome from a Cowichan Elder or representative.
- Recognition of the inherent authority of Cowichan Tribes that manifests through the Watershed Board. For example, this is demonstrated by the acceptance of the Cowichan Recognition Statement into the Governance Manual (see below).
- Adoption of the principle Nutsamat kws yaay’us tth qa’: We come together as a whole to work together to be stronger as partners for the watershed. This Cowichan Tribes principle is now included in the updated 2018 CWB Governance Manual, with recognition that significant training is required for Board members to fully understand the meaning of this principle and how it translates into CWB operations and decision-making.
- Indigenous voice in decision-making on matters that affect Cowichan Tribes and their territory. As reflected at the CWB table, Cowichan Tribes’ authority and responsibilities are not limited to on-reserve lands but encompass the whole watershed.
- Inclusion of Indigenous Traditional Knowledge. This is built into the CWB membership and technical working groups that generate recommendations to the Board. The CWB’s partnership approach to water can serve as a model of how Indigenous nations can move forward with governments at all levels. The benefits of working together are particularly valuable as communities face the stresses of climate change, population growth, and other pressures.
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