Skip to Main content

14.71°^C Vancouver

News Entertainment Videos Shows Podcast Contact Us

Jan 12, 2021 10:32 PM -

B.C. First Nation faces COVID-19 outbreak; community leaders issue racism warnings

Share On

b-c-first-nation-faces-covid-19-outbreak-community-leaders-issue-racism-warnings

Specimens to be tested for COVID-19 are seen at LifeLabs after being logged upon receipt at the company's lab, in Surrey, B.C., on March 26, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

A First Nations community on Vancouver Island is fighting to contain a COVID-19 outbreak while facing intolerance from some members of the surrounding community.

Cowichan Tribes general manager Derek Thompson says some members of his Duncan-area First Nation have faced discrimination in the community since COVID-19 cases were first reported this month.

Thompson says there were no COVID-19 cases among their members for the first 10 months of the pandemic, but that has increased to 73 people since Jan. 1.

The First Nation has issued a stay-at-home order for tribal members until Jan. 22 in an effort to stop the spread of COVID-19.

Duncan-area politicians, including Green Leader Sonia Furstenau and North Cowichan Mayor Al Siebring, have denounced what they say are recent disappointing and racist behaviours of some people toward the Cowichan Tribes.

The First Nation is the largest single band in B.C. with about 4,900 members and Thompson says it will begin administering 600 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine to elders on Wednesday.

Latest news

john-horgan-campus-opens-in-langford

John Horgan Campus opens in Langford

The new Royal Roads University (RRU), John Horgan Campus is open, offering innovative post-secondary options for a growing number of students living in the Westshore. “Education opens the door to opportunity,” said Premier David Eby. “This new campus provides a doorway to future prosperity for people, for their families and for their community. It is a great tribute to John’s memory that this campus carries his name, as education opened a world of possibilities for him.” The campus aims to support the growing number of people of all ages choosing to call Langford home through a uniqu

man-facing-extradition-after-family-of-migrants-froze-to-death-at-canada-us-border

CanadaSep 16, 2025

Man facing extradition after family of migrants froze to death at Canada-US border

Another man has been arrested in connection with the deaths of a migrant family on the Canada-U.S. border near Emerson, Man., in 2022. The federal justice department says Fenil Patel was arrested Sept. 5 on an extradition request from the United States. He is facing a hearing this week in Ontario Superior Court. Police in India announced in 2023 they were looking for Patel on human trafficking and other charges after a couple and their two children froze to death while trying to walk across the border in a frigid nighttime blizzard. Two men in the United States — Harshkumar Patel and Steve S

liberals-will-table-the-federal-budget-on-nov-4-champagne-says-by-craig-lord

CanadaSep 16, 2025

Francois-Philippe Champagne: Federal budget will be tabled on Nov. 4

The federal Liberal govt. will table the budget on Nov. 4. The update was shared by Finance Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne. This is going to be the first fiscal update to be shared by the new Carney govt. Usually the federal budget is tabled in the spring but the Liberals delayed this year's update until the fall. The finance minister shared an image with PM Mark Carney and then shared the news on his X account and wrote: Canada’s new government will table Budget 2025 on November 4th. A budget to meet this moment. A budget to build the strongest economy of the G7. A budget to build

vehicles-and-dirt-bikes-impounded-during-targeted-enforcement-blitz

Vehicles and dirt bikes impounded during targeted enforcement blitz in Nanaimo

Aided from the air by an RCMP helicopter and with multiple officers on the ground, the Nanaimo RCMP impounded 4 dirt bikes and 3 vehicles for a wide range of driving offences. The campaign ran from 10 AM to 9 PM on Sunday September 14, 2025, and focused on key areas throughout the city. “Over the past several months, numerous complaints were received from the public over the blatant disregard for the rules of the road by a small group of individuals. From street racing to stunting to riding on sidewalks, these people were not only putting themselves at risk but the motoring public also. The

fatal-motor-vehicle-collision

Driver killed in crash in Langley

On September 15, 2025, at approximately 6:20 p.m., Langley RCMP responded to a report of a motor vehicle collision located near 256 Street and 48 Avenue Langley. The collision involved two sedans and despite life-saving efforts, one of the drivers succumbed to their injuries at the scene. The circumstances leading to this tragic collision remain under investigation, but impairment has been ruled out. “We have now seen five fatal collisions in Langley in just the past six weeks. Please slow down, stay focused and give yourself time to react,” said Sergeant Zynal Sharoom of the Langley RCMP.

Related News

John Horgan Campus opens in Langford

John Horgan Campus opens in Langford

The new Royal Roads University (RRU), John Horgan Campus is open, offering innovative post-secondary options for a growing number of students living in the Westshore. “Education opens the door to opportunity,” said Premier David Eby. “This new campus provides a doorway to future prosperity for people, for their families and for their community. It is a great tribute to John’s memory that this campus carries his name, as education opened a world of possibilities for him.” The campus aims to support the growing number of people of all ages choosing to call Langford home through a uniqu

Vehicles and dirt bikes impounded during targeted enforcement blitz in Nanaimo

Vehicles and dirt bikes impounded during targeted enforcement blitz in Nanaimo

Aided from the air by an RCMP helicopter and with multiple officers on the ground, the Nanaimo RCMP impounded 4 dirt bikes and 3 vehicles for a wide range of driving offences. The campaign ran from 10 AM to 9 PM on Sunday September 14, 2025, and focused on key areas throughout the city. “Over the past several months, numerous complaints were received from the public over the blatant disregard for the rules of the road by a small group of individuals. From street racing to stunting to riding on sidewalks, these people were not only putting themselves at risk but the motoring public also. The

Driver killed in crash in Langley

Driver killed in crash in Langley

On September 15, 2025, at approximately 6:20 p.m., Langley RCMP responded to a report of a motor vehicle collision located near 256 Street and 48 Avenue Langley. The collision involved two sedans and despite life-saving efforts, one of the drivers succumbed to their injuries at the scene. The circumstances leading to this tragic collision remain under investigation, but impairment has been ruled out. “We have now seen five fatal collisions in Langley in just the past six weeks. Please slow down, stay focused and give yourself time to react,” said Sergeant Zynal Sharoom of the Langley RCMP.

Legals

Journalism code of ethics

© 2021 AKASH Broadcasting Inc.

MANAGED BY STRATWIT

useful links

Accessibility Plan

BC Children's Hospital