Cowichan Tribes Calls for Federal Action on Illegal Dumpsite
Cowichan Tribes has issued a strong statement regarding the long-standing illegal dumpsite located at 5544 Indian Road in Duncan, B.C., highlighting a persistent problem of pollution and lack of federal action on reserve lands.
According to the release, the contamination and dumping of industrial and construction waste on reserve lands represent “a generational, systemic, and national problem.” The Nation notes that while the Indian Act and related waste disposal regulations fall under federal jurisdiction, enforcement has been inadequate, leaving local communities to deal with environmental and health consequences.
The site, which has been under investigation and complaint since 2010, has seen numerous cease and desist orders and appeals for assistance to federal departments — including Indigenous Services Canada, Health Canada, and the RCMP. Despite these efforts, Cowichan Tribes says meaningful enforcement from Ottawa has been absent.
“Cowichan Tribes has worked for years to have unlicensed timber and gravel removal and unauthorized dumping stopped. However, there have been significant limitations to the actions Cowichan Tribes has been able to take without the support and enforcement of senior levels of government.”
The parcels in question remain under the jurisdiction of Canada and are not governed by the Cowichan Tribes Land Code. As such, the Nation stresses that the federal government bears an ongoing duty to collaborate with Cowichan Tribes in good faith to resolve environmental and land grievances.
Since 2021, Cowichan Tribes has been cooperating with the Province of British Columbia in its ongoing investigation into the dumpsite and looks forward to further meetings with provincial officials. The Nation welcomes the renewed attention to the site but calls for the Government of Canada to uphold its responsibility to address the contamination and protect reserve lands.
“It is our hope that the Federal government will now fulfill its long overdue responsibility to take action to address the site,” the statement concludes.
We are embedding a related news video that covers the Cowichan Tribes’ statement and the ongoing issue of the illegal dumpsite to provide additional context and visual information. Please watch the video below for a detailed report.
Background: Ongoing Environmental Stewardship
Environmental protection lies at the heart of Quw’utsun snuw’uy’ulh (Cowichan teachings), guiding the Nation’s policies and programs for decades. Cowichan Tribes co-chairs the Cowichan Watershed Board with the Cowichan Valley Regional District, leading co-governance initiatives across the region.
Recent projects include the Lake Cowichan Weir advocacy, the 2023 Koksilah Watershed Planning Agreement with the Province of B.C., and ongoing participation in the Cowichan Estuary Restoration Project alongside conservation partners such as the Nature Trust of B.C. and Ducks Unlimited.
Through its guardianship programs, Cowichan Tribes staff and volunteers monitor fisheries, marine zones, and terrestrial ecosystems year-round. Local residents also benefit from robust waste management services, including curbside garbage, recycling, and compost collection, as well as annual community cleanup drives.