Cowichan Valley History

The Cowichan Valley is rich in First Nation and European history. The word "Cowichan" comes from the language of the Quw'utsun First Nations People. Cowichan means "back warmed by the sun ".

The Cowichan Valley is home to over 3500 Quw'utsun' First Nations people. Today it is the largest First Nation clan in British Columbia, Canada.

History books and stories passed down from the First Nation Elders tell us that the Quw'utsun tribe lived and enjoyed the environmental benefits of southern British Columbia, as far back as, 4500 years ago.

The story goes that the first people of the Quw'utsun First Nation "fell from the skies" inhabiting the rich lands of the Cowichan Valley.

In the early 1900's, Sir Francis Drake arrived on the shores of Vancouver Island . It was the first sign of the European settlers . Soon later, the Europeans started to arrive in the Cowichan Valley to settle.