Cowichan This Week – What makes you hopeful?

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

• As we head to darker days, what makes you feel hopeful in your community? Let The Discourse know and you’ll be entered in a giveaway for an art print by Rho Elliott Photography.
• The Government of Canada will invest $24.2 million in partnership with Cowichan Tribes to protect against flooding and drought in the Cowichan watershed. Infrastructure Minister Catherine McKenna and Cowichan Tribes Chief William Seymour made the announcement on Facebook Live on Nov. 4. 
• Lise Haddock brings a wealth of experience in the child welfare space to her new role as the executive director of the Canadian Mental Health Association‘s Cowichan Valley branch, IndigiNews reports. Haddock, who is Métis, is the first Indigenous executive director for the branch.
• The CVRD Electoral Area Services Committee voted on Nov. 4 to recommend to the board that a development permit for Cowichan Bay Campground be issued. The campground would be updated to accommodate 38 recreational vehicle spaces and a service building. The campground is located on Lochmanetz Road near the Cowichan estuary and Cowichan Tribes reserve land. Several community members wrote into the committee opposing the development, citing concerns over environmental and cultural impacts. The CVRD board will consider the proposal at a future meeting.
• The Cowichan Valley School District unveiled its new logo this week, designed by local Coast Salish artist Stuart Pagaduan. 
• The Town of Lake Cowichan has launched a non-binding referendum on whether backyard chickens should be permitted in the municipality. Those eligible to vote in Lake Cowichan can pick up a ballot at the municipal office or online. Ballots must be returned to a dropbox or by mail by Nov. 19.
• The Municipality of North Cowichan’s decision last week not to reconsider a temporary use permit for the Oak & Vine Estate wedding venue saw considerable backlash on social media. In a special edition of Council Matters, Mayor Al Siebring explains the impact of the council’s ruling as well as the backstory, including links to relevant documents and past council meetings. 
• The Government of Canada now recommends non-medical masks and face coverings made from three layers of material to prevent the spread of COVID-19, CBC News reports. The government’s website includes instructions to make them, with or without a sewing machine.
• The Town of Ladysmith is beginning site investigation work related to its Waterfront Area Plan. The work involves heavy machinery and may involve temporary closures of trails and parking areas.
• BC Transit buses in the Cowichan Valley are free for veterans and members of the Canadian Forces now through Nov. 11, and free for everyone on the Remembrance Day holiday. 
• In a mock provincial election, student voters favoured the Green Party in both the Cowichan Valley riding and the Nanaimo-North Cowichan riding, the Cowichan Valley Citizen reports. 

Community events

• Saturday, Nov. 7: 🤗 Duncan Daybreak Rotary is holding its annual coat drive in the Vancouver Island University parking lot. 
• Monday, Nov. 9 through Thursday, Nov. 19: 🚜 The Young Agrarians are hosting an Online Land Forum, a series of workshops about leasing land for farming. Registration is required.
• Wednesday, Nov. 11: 🌺 Remembrance Day ceremonies will look different this year, due to COVID-19 precautions. Some local branches of the Royal Canadian Legion are planning small, private ceremonies to be livestreamed for the public. See details for Shawnigan Lake, Duncan, Lake Cowichan and Ladysmith.
• Through Sunday, Nov. 15: 💪 The Canadian Mental Health Association is hosting an online auction to support youth mental health programs in the Cowichan Valley. 
• Sunday, Nov. 15 to Saturday, Nov. 21: 🏃The One Track Mind fundraiser race and ultramarathon will take place at the Cowichan Sportsplex. Victoria runner Jerry Hughes is seeking to beat a Canadian record that dates back to 1891 at the event.
• Sunday, Nov. 15 to Sunday, Nov. 22: 🐟 Salmon Nation hosts the online Festival of What Works, a celebration of good ideas from and for the Pacific coastal bioregion, from Alaska to California.

If you’re planning an event that I should consider for an upcoming list, send me an email.

In your words

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Thanks, Martha, and all who make this possible. [end]