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Cowichan Indian Culture and History

As a complement to our Halkomelem language information, here is our collection of indexed links about the Cowichan tribe and their society. Please note that Cowichan and other American Indians are living people with a present and a future as well as a past. Cowichan history is interesting and important, but the Cowichan Indians are still here today, too, and we try to feature modern writers as well as traditional folklore, contemporary art as well as museum pieces, and the life and struggles of today as well as the tragedies of yesterday. Suggestions for new links are always welcome.

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Cowichan Tribal and Community Websites

Hul'qumi'num Treaty Group:
Political coalition of the six Island Halkomelem bands of British Columbia.

Cowichan Tribes:
Official homepage of the Cowichan First Nation.

Lake Cowichan First Nation:
Home page of the Lake Cowichan band of Vancouver Island.

Quw'utsun' Cultural and Conference Centre:
Cultural center promoting Cowichan history and traditions.

Hiiye'yu Lelum (House of Friendship):
Cowichan friendship centre based in Duncan, BC.

Cowichan Lifestyle and Tradition

The Cowichan:
Curtis' early 20th-century ethnography of the Cowichan Indians.

The Cowichan Sweater of Vancouver Island

Cowichan Sweaters

Cowichan Sweaters for Sale

Cowichan Sweater Knitting:
Websites about the wool sweater tradition of the Cowichan tribe.

Halq'emeylem Map:
Map showing Klallam, Straits Salish, Nooksack, Squamish, and Halq'meylem Indian territories.

Cowichan Religion and Myth

Halkomelem Legends:
Collection of Cowichan and Musqueam Indian legends and folktales.

Legends of the Cowichan River Valley:
Quamichan legends along with some illustrations.

Cowichan Literature and Art

Cowichan Songs:
Musical notation for several traditional Cowichan chants.

Cowichan News, Politics and Issues

B.C. chief uses law degree to work for her people:
Newspaper article about Cowichan tribal leader Lydia Hwitsum.

Cowichan knitters win Olympic showcase

Cowichan Tribes reach Olympic sweater deal

Cowichan fashion moment:
Articles about the campaign to use real Cowichan sweaters rather than knockoffs in the 2010 Olympics.

Cowichan Tribe wins bid

2008 NAIG held in Cowichan

NAIG draws 4,500 athletes

North American Indigenous Games 2008:
Articles and a video about the 2008 North American Indigenous Games, held in the Cowichan Valley.

Books for sale on the Cowichans
Our organization earns a commission from any book bought through these links

Those Who Fell From the Sky : A History of Cowichan Peoples:
In-depth history of the Cowichan tribes.

History and Folklore of the Cowichan Indians:
Good collection of Cowichan legends and traditional stories.

Native American Books:
Evolving list of books about Cowichans and American Indians in general.

Links, References, and Additional Information

  Wikipedia: Cowichan:
  Encyclopedia articles about the Cowichans.
  Historia y lengua Cowichan:
  Information about the Cowichan people in Spanish.
  Historia y lengua Halkomelem

Los Salish:
Information about the Sto:lo and Cowichan people in Spanish.
Les Amérindiens Salish de la Colombie-Britannique

Salish de la côte centrale

Famille des langues salish:
  Information about the Cowichan tribe and other Salish people in French.
  Four Directions Institute: Cowichan Tribe Cowichan Nation:
  Cowichan links.

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