Cowichan This Week – Home is where the art is

Welcome to Cowichan This Week, your source for the latest local news and events. Sign up to get this in your inbox every Thursday.

News and announcements

• Reporter David Minkow took your questions about the school restart plan to the Cowichan Valley School District board chair. Read the answers at The Discourse.
• A boost in local interest has helped keep Cowichan Valley wineries afloat through the pandemic. Shalu Mehta reports for The Discourse. 
• The Cowichan Valley Regional District has launched a survey to understand housing needs in the region. The survey is open through Sept. 31, through the online platform PlaceSpeak. You must register for an account to participate. 
• RCMP have arrested the suspect in a fatal hit-and-run near Ladysmith last weekend, the Ladysmith Chemainus Chronicle reports. Friends have set up a fundraiser for the family of the victim.
• Kw’umut Lelum has opened a new service hub in Duncan. The centre offers services rooted in Coast Salish teachings to children and families involved in the child welfare system who are members of Halalt, Lyackson, Malahat, Penelakut, Qualicum, Snaw-Naw-As, Snuneymuxw, Stz’uminus and Ts’uubaa-asatx First Nations.
• The Cowichan Valley School District has asked Island Health to reconsider the location of a wellness and recovery centre. The centre, planned to open this fall, brings together existing community services for people with mental health and substance use concerns. North Cowichan has also expressed concerns with the location, at 5878 York Rd., and asked Island Health to pause development until the community is consulted.
• The Stz’uminus First Nation has elected Roxanne Harris as its new chief. It’s the first time a woman has served as elected chief, according to the First Nation’s newsletter. 

Community events

• Saturday, Sept. 5: 👚 Warmland Women’s Support Services presents What Were You Wearing?, an art installation in response to sexualized violence, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Charles Hoey Park in Duncan. 
• Saturday, Sept. 5: 🐻 Visit BC Goes Wild at the Honeymoon Bay Market for information and tips on keeping bears and humans safe, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. 
• Saturday, Sept. 5: 🎉 The community is invited to wish Pete Cadorette, also known as Cher Papa, a very happy 100th birthday in a drive-by celebration. Cher Papa will be in his lawn chair in front of the home he built at 2739 Dundas Rd. in Shawnigan Lake from 2 to 4 p.m.
• Sept. 6, 7, 11, 12 and 13: 🏆 The Cowichan Exhibition presents The “UN”FAIR-20. Registration is required to come check out exhibits in diverse categories in this modified fair. 
• Saturday, Sept. 12: 🌊 The Cowichan Estuary Nature Centre is looking for volunteers for a physically distanced group photo encouraging water conservation in the Koksilah watershed. Register to take part. 
• Every day: 🐊 The Hand of Man Museum in Maple Bay has newly acquired a cast of a giganotosaurus skeleton. The museum is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., by donation.

What did I miss? Let me know what events are coming up near you by sending me an email. 

Photo of the week

Last month, 24 local youth showcased their art at the HUB at Cowichan Station as part of the CVYS Art Show. The opening event saw live performances in addition to displays across many media. 

“One of the most beautiful things to witness was how the youth supported and encouraged each other, offering compliments and even purchasing each other’s work!” wrote Sophia Palmer, with Cowichan Valley Youth Services, adding that many staff expressed similar sentiments.

See more from the show and connect with the artists by visiting CVYS Cowichan on Facebook.

Do you have a photo that showcases life in Cowichan? Send me an email, I’d love to see what this place looks like through your lens. 

In your words

Jesse had this to say about why he supports The Discourse: 

“We need to support local journalists who aren’t compromised by the pressures of business advertising.”

Thanks, Jesse. We take our commitment to independence and community accountability very seriously.

Thanks for reading,

Jacqueline [end]