Squtxulenuhw William “Chip” Seymour, who served as Chief of Cowichan Tribes, has passed away at the age of 73, according to the First Nation.
“Our community has lost a valuable contributor, someone who was deeply committed to defending Cowichan Tribes’ rights and title,” said the Nation’s Chief Lydia Hwitsum in a statement.
Cowichan Tribes says locals are mourning Seymour, who was Chief for four terms between 2013 and 2022, after as many terms as a councillor between 2006 and 2013.
Before that, he was the Nation’s operations and maintenance manager.
“In his mind, the most important thing was to help one another,” grandson Shawn Johnny Seymour told CHEK News.
‘I loved the time that I had with him’
A friend of Seymour tells CHEK News he died around 3 p.m. Monday.
“The last time I spoke with him, he was talking about when he was going to get better,” said Shawn in an interview.
“He was in the hospital for a while. The last time I spoke with him, he looked stronger. I loved the time that I had with him. I’m one of his many grandchildren.”
Seymour was also a big sports fan.
“Generations of Quw’utsun Mustimuhw (Cowichan Peoples) also benefited from his many decades of coaching the Cowichan Eagles soccer team, training coaches, and travelling to international competitions,” reads the statement.
“During his time as Chief, his priorities centred around education, employment, training, culture, housing, and working to re-establish a sense of hope among young people.”
Cowichan Tribes is governed by an elected Chief and 12 councillors, and elections are held every second December in odd years, states information online. With more than 5,000 members, it lauds itself as the largest single First Nation band in B.C.
“He took me in as his son,” added Shawn, calling his grandfather a humble man who was always there with an open door.
The Nation says Seymour “lived the Quw’utsun snuw’uy’ulh (teachings) through his leadership, his service to the community, and his generosity of spirit.”
It says he was also an advocate for the Nation’s citizens during the COVID-19 pandemic and brought people together in the face of racism.
The statement says Seymour helped provide temporary shelter for the vulnerable and implemented shelter-in-place restrictions to protect Elders.
“He championed our Quw’utsun Tumuhw, or Land Code, so that we could have control over our lands. It was an important self-governance initiative that was passed in 2019,” added Hwiysum.
She says she’ll remember him as someone who was deeply committed to defending the Tribes’ rights and titles, lifting up and sharing their culture and improving opportunities for their people.
“On behalf of our Council, I extend our condolences to Chip’s family and all Quw’utsun Mustimuhw as we mourn this loss,” said Hwitsum.
A funeral for Seymour will be held on Friday.
Editor’s note: Seymour’s family has given CHEK News permission to use his photo in this story.
Ethan Morneau
