Squtxulenuhw William 鈥淐hip鈥� Seymour, who served four terms as Cowichan Tribes chief from 2013 to 2022, has died.

Lydia Hwitsum, Cowichan Tribes鈥� current chief, said Seymour, who was 73, was a beloved member of the Cowichan community.

鈥淗e championed our Quw鈥檜tsun Tumuhw, or Land Code, so that we could have control over our lands,鈥� she said.

鈥淚t was an important self-governance initiative that was passed in 2019. Our community has lost a valuable contributor, someone who was deeply committed to defending Cowichan Tribes鈥� rights and title, lifting up and sharing our culture, and improving opportunities for our people. On behalf of our council, I extend our condolences to Chip鈥檚 family and all Quw鈥檜tsun Mustimuhw as we mourn this loss鈥�.

RELATED STORY:

During his time as chief, Seymour鈥檚 priorities centred around education, employment, training, culture, housing, and working to re-establish a sense of hope among young people.

Prior to 2013, he served Cowichan Tribes as operations and maintenance manager.

Generations of Quw鈥檜tsun Mustimuhw also benefited from Seymour鈥檚 many decades of coaching the Cowichan Eagles soccer team, training coaches, and travelling to international competitions.

According to a press release from Cowichan Tribes, Seymour lived the Quw鈥檜tsun snuw鈥檜y鈥檜lh (teachings) through his leadership, his service to the community, and his generosity of spirit.

鈥淗e was an advocate and steady voice for our people during the COVID-19 pandemic, bringing people together in the face of racism, implementing necessary shelter-in-place restrictions to protect Elders, and supporting partnerships to provide temporary shelter at the Mound for our most vulnerable citizens,鈥� the release said.

RELATED STORY:

Debra Toporowki, a former councillor with Cowichan Tribes, said she knew Seymour for many years, back to the time when he was a soccer coach and an operations and maintenance manager.

She said he was a personal friend and a great leader of the First Nation.

鈥淗e was a kind and great man and his loss leaves a huge hole in the community,鈥� Toporowski said.

鈥淗e always made people feel welcome, but he was firm when he needed to be. I鈥檓 still reeling from the news. There鈥檚 a feeling of sorrow that鈥檚 being felt by the entire community.鈥�

North Cowichan Mayor Rob Douglas said Seymour鈥檚 death is a big loss for his family, Cowichan Tribes and the broader community.

鈥淚鈥檝e known him for many years and he was always someone who looked out for the best interests of his community and meaningful reconciliation,鈥� he said.

鈥淲hen I was first elected to council, we had many conversations and I always appreciated his insights.鈥�

Duncan Mayor Michelle Staples said Seymour was a gift to leadership and community.

She said his style was calm and respectful, his words wise and his values deeply rooted in culture.

鈥淐hief Seymour believed we were better together and was deeply committed to relationship building,鈥� Staples said.

鈥淚t has been a true blessing and honour to know him. He will be deeply missed. We will be forever grateful for all he shared and to have walked with him in this world.鈥�