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Squtxulenuhw William “Chip” Seymour, who served as Chief of Cowichan Tribes, has handed away on the age of 73, in keeping with the First Nation.
“Our group has misplaced a invaluable contributor, somebody who was deeply dedicated to defending Cowichan Tribes’ rights and title,” mentioned the Nation’s Chief Lydia Hwitsum in an announcement.
Cowichan Tribes says locals are mourning Seymour, who was Chief for 4 phrases between 2013 and 2022, after as many phrases as a councillor between 2006 and 2013.
Earlier than that, he was the Nation’s operations and upkeep supervisor.
“In his thoughts, an important factor was to assist each other,” grandson Shawn Johnny Seymour advised CHEK Information.
‘I liked the time that I had with him’
A pal of Seymour tells CHEK Information he died round 3 p.m. Monday.
“The final time I spoke with him, he was speaking about when he was going to get higher,” mentioned Shawn in an interview.
“He was within the hospital for some time. The final time I spoke with him, he regarded stronger. I liked the time that I had with him. I’m one in every of his many grandchildren.”
Seymour was additionally an enormous sports activities fan.
“Generations of Quw’utsun Mustimuhw (Cowichan Peoples) additionally benefited from his many many years of teaching the Cowichan Eagles soccer group, coaching coaches, and travelling to worldwide competitions,” reads the assertion.
“Throughout his time as Chief, his priorities centred round schooling, employment, coaching, tradition, housing, and dealing to re-establish a way of hope amongst younger individuals.”
Cowichan Tribes is ruled by an elected Chief and 12 councillors, and elections are held each second December in odd years, states data online. With greater than 5,000 members, it lauds itself as the most important single First Nation band in B.C.
“He took me in as his son,” added Shawn, calling his grandfather a humble man who was all the time there with an open door.
The Nation says Seymour “lived the Quw’utsun snuw’uy’ulh (teachings) by means of his management, his service to the group, and his generosity of spirit.”
It says he was additionally an advocate for the Nation’s residents throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and introduced individuals collectively within the face of racism.
The assertion says Seymour helped present short-term shelter for the weak and applied shelter-in-place restrictions to guard Elders.
“He championed our Quw’utsun Tumuhw, or Land Code, in order that we may have management over our lands. It was an necessary self-governance initiative that was handed in 2019,” added Hwiysum.
She says she’ll bear in mind him as somebody who was deeply dedicated to defending the Tribes’ rights and titles, lifting up and sharing their tradition and bettering alternatives for his or her individuals.
“On behalf of our Council, I lengthen our condolences to Chip’s household and all Quw’utsun Mustimuhw as we mourn this loss,” mentioned Hwitsum.
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