The Discourse - Cowichan Valley

A black and white image of the ship that Thomas Quamtany worked on. His story is a part of Cowichan history.

Revising Cowichan history: How Thomas Quamtany actually lost his arm

By Kelly Black ● Cowichan Valley ● April 16, 2026

Historian Kelly Black gets to the bottom of a persistent myth about a one-armed Hudson’s Bay Company employee.

Latest in Cowichan Valley

A sign at International Overdose Awareness Day combating the toxic drug crisis.

An on the ground look at the toxic drug crisis in the Cowichan Valley 10 years later

By Eric Richards ● Cowichan Valley ● April 16, 2026

Harm reduction workers in the Cowichan Valley reflect on the lives lost and changes needed to address the ongoing crisis.

A group of residents gathered out the CVRD to protest it's new zoning bylaw.

What’s in the Cowichan Valley Regional District’s draft comprehensive zoning bylaw?

By Eric Richards ● Cowichan Valley ● April 7, 2026

The Discourse takes a deep dive into the 322-page document that combines nine existing zoning bylaws into one.

Dr. Jennifer Grenz is a researcher working to restore ecosystems in the Cowichan Valley through Indigenous stewardship.

Meet the researcher putting Indigenous knowledge at the heart of ecological restoration

By Eric Richards ● Cowichan Valley ● March 26, 2026

For decades, well-intentioned conservationists have been restoring culturally significant Indigenous places without the peoples they belong to. Researcher Jennifer Grenz says that’s exactly why so many of those efforts have failed.

What’s happening in the Cowichan Valley from March 27 to April 12

By Eric Richards ● Cowichan Valley ● March 24, 2026

Music, arts and events happening in the Cowichan Valley from March 27 to April 12

Alex Schiebel of the Cowichan Community Care Network speaks at a rally in front of banners.

‘Evicted to nowhere’: Cowichan Valley residents push for permanent solution for unhoused locals

By Eric Richards ● Cowichan Valley ● March 19, 2026

As a temporary winter shelter in Duncan closes its doors, unhoused residents are faced with few other options for housing.

Speakers at the Cowichan Valley Women's Day Event.

‘Consent is not new’: Cowichan Valley Women’s Day event addresses consent as a community issue

By Eric Richards ● Cowichan Valley ● March 12, 2026

The Discourse and Cowichan Valley IWD held their annual International Women’s Day event on March 8, exploring how consent can lay a foundation for a healthier community.

What’s happening in the Cowichan Valley from March 11 to March 21

By Eric Richards ● Cowichan Valley ● March 10, 2026

Music, arts and events happening in the Cowichan Valley from March 11 to March 21.

Q&A: Poet Kiera Chealine on finding the power in ‘No’

By Shalu Mehta ● Cowichan Valley ● March 5, 2026

Local poet writes about consent and empowerment for International Women’s Day.

Q&A: How loss and love led Zena Sharman to write her debut memoir

By Eric Richards ● Cowichan Valley ● March 5, 2026

Sharman reflects on grief, queer kinship, family and inheritance in Staying Power.

Revising Cowichan history: How Thomas Quamtany actually lost his arm

Latest in Cowichan Valley

An on the ground look at the toxic drug crisis in the Cowichan Valley 10 years later

What’s in the Cowichan Valley Regional District’s draft comprehensive zoning bylaw?

Meet the researcher putting Indigenous knowledge at the heart of ecological restoration

What’s happening in the Cowichan Valley from March 27 to April 12

‘Evicted to nowhere’: Cowichan Valley residents push for permanent solution for unhoused locals

‘Consent is not new’: Cowichan Valley Women’s Day event addresses consent as a community issue

What’s happening in the Cowichan Valley from March 11 to March 21

Q&A: Poet Kiera Chealine on finding the power in ‘No’

Q&A: How loss and love led Zena Sharman to write her debut memoir

Nanaimo’s toxic drug emergency at 10 years

Nanaimo city council votes down proposed drug policy letter

Motion to close Nanaimo’s Overdose Prevention Site withdrawn

‘Like a bomb dropping’: Safer supply changes leave patients struggling for stability

Drop in 2024 Nanaimo overdose deaths still ‘a fraction’ of overall trend upwards

Sudden changes to safer supply program a ‘huge mistake,’ says Nanaimo patient