First Nations Relations
The CVRD is in the ancestral and unceded territories of First Nations including (but not limited to) the Quw’utsun (Cowichan), MÁLEXEŁ (Malahat), BOḰEĆEN (Pauquachin), c̓uubaʕsaʔtx̣ (Ts’uubaa-asatx), xeláltxw (Halalt), Spune’luxutth (Penelakut), Stz’uminus, Leey’qsun (Lyackson), Diitiidʔaaʔtx̣ (Ditidaht) and P’a:chi:da?aht (Pacheedaht) Nations. Local First Nations Peoples have lived in reciprocally supportive relationships with the lands, waters, plants and animals of this region since time immemorial.
Commitment to Reconciliation
In 2022, the CVRD Board identified reconciliation as a Strategic Priority in its updated 2022-2026 Strategic Plan:
The CVRD is committed to the ongoing journey of reconciliation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Peoples in the region by strengthening cooperation, collaboration, and relationship building.
The Strategic Plan also identifies priority actions to support this objective.
Engagement and Consultation
The CVRD engages with local First Nations through both Government to Government relationship building and through collaboration on specific initiatives. Both are important for supporting relationship building.
Government to Government Relationship building
The intention of Government to Government dialogue is to have a more productive and holistic relationship between the CVRD and local First Nations. The purpose of the dialogue is to identify Nation-specific principles, interests, and mechanisms to strengthen relationships, support regular and ongoing dialogue regarding the CVRD’s services and inform reconciliation. Historically, this dialogue has been carried out informally with incomplete understanding of each Nation’s distinct cultural, historical and legal contexts. Going forward, the development of a CVRD Indigenous Relations Framework will enable the coordination and resourcing of this dialogue.
Initiative specific engagement
The CVRD seeks meaningful engagement with local First Nations governments in community and regional initiatives such as climate mitigation and adaptation plans, emergency management plans, servicing strategies, official community plans, performing arts events, that may uphold the unique rights, interests, and circumstances of local First Nations.
The CVRD enters into Memorandums of Understanding (MOU) for more structured collaboration on specific initiatives of priority to local First Nations such as parks and trails management and flood management.
Service Delivery
The CVRD provides a diverse range of services to local First Nations governments. Types of service agreements that the CVRD has with local First Nations range from water provision, wastewater treatment, recycling, solid waste, transit and fire protection.
Cowichan Watershed Board
Since 2010, the CVRD continues to be in a collaborative governance partnership with Quw’utsun Tribes First Nation through the Cowichan Watershed Board to facilitate collaborative management and decision-making to protect and enhance the health of the Cowichan and Koksilah watersheds. CVRD Staff work in partnership with the Cowichan Watershed Board on several initiatives.
