SUCCESS AND SUSTAINABILITY
“To lead the way for First Nations to true equality as Canadian citizens.”
WITH APPROXIMATELY 5,517 CITIZENS
Cowichan Tribes is the largest single First Nation band in British Columbia. The Khowutzun Development (KD) was formed with the central mission “to build partnerships to develop and support enterprises, create opportunities for Cowichan Tribes citizens to succeed in employment and business ventures, and to support Cowichan Tribes programs.”
We strive for the success of the communities we serve, through employment and training opportunities, implementing economic development ventures, preserving the rich culture and heritage of the region, and honouring the land on which we live. With a strong connection to tradition, we’re proud to balance this respect for our culture with future-focused initiatives aimed at creating more opportunities and healthy environments for our younger generations.
Message from Chief Cindy Daniels | Cowichan Tribes
Welcome to Khowutzun Development Corporation (KDC). As the economic development arm of Cowichan Tribes, the KDC team works hard to build relationships and secure opportunities that support our citizens and citizen-owned businesses. Equally important, KDC advances economic partnerships in ways that recognize our rights and title within our territory, and provide our community members with a variety of career opportunities.
KDC has demonstrated experience and project partners in the construction, development, forestry, and cannabis sectors. Working with citizen-owned businesses and leveraging their expertise in civil, construction, trucking, and flagging, environmental and archeological monitoring, fencing, and other related disciplines, KDC has negotiated contracts on major projects including the new Quw’utsun Secondary School in Duncan and the National Centre for Indigenous Laws at the University of Victoria.
Through the New Voices program, KDC also provides opportunities for Cowichan citizens to advance their careers through training, workshops, and work experience placements. Examples of previous training have included opportunities to gain skills in rebar, electrical, carpentry and formwork, as well as the annual Bear’s Lair youth entrepreneurship camps.
I invite you to contact KDC to explore business and workforce development partnerships with Cowichan Tribes and advance respectful, economically successful, and environmentally sustainable opportunities together.
Huy ch q’u,
Chief Cindy Daniels
Sulsulxumaat
Message from Renée Olson | Interim CEO Khowutzun Development
![R Olson - Casual Pic[1]](https://khowutzun.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/R-Olson-Casual-Pic1-683x1024-400x599.jpg "R Olson - Casual Pic[1]")
‘Uy’ skweyul and welcome to Khowutzun Development, where we strive for the success of the communities we serve, through training and career opportunities, and through implementing economic development ventures. Our Khowutzun Development community is proud of the rich culture and heritage of the region, and we honour the land on which we live and work on.
As interim CEO, I want to personally welcome you to our KD community, where each person is important, Tl’i’ to’ mukw’ mustimuhw. With a strong connection to tradition, it is our everyday focus to balance the respect for Quw’utsun culture with our future-focused initiatives that are aimed at creating more opportunities and healthy environments for everyone.
Huy chq’u for taking an interest in our Khowutzun Community, we look forward to working with you!
Huy ch q’u,
Renée Olson,
Interim CEO KDC
Our focus
Is to foster powerful connection, abundance, and self-determination for our people through,
Our Five Guidelines Pillars.
GROWTH
We promote the continued growth and prosperity of the Cowichan Tribes by facilitating training programs and creating job opportunities within our communities. We’re here to support the economic wellbeing and resilience of our community.
QUALITY
We take pride in the work of our Quw’utsun citizens and strive for global recognition for the quality of our products and services. The KD and its Group of Companies advocate for a broader appreciation of the vast talents and skills within the Cowichan Tribes.
PEOPLE
We believe that nurturing a community begins with supporting its people. The KD acknowledges and celebrates the rich and diverse traditions of the Cowichan Tribes, and aims to uplift our people and promote the Quw’utsun culture beyond the communities we serve.
SUSTAINABILITY
With an ongoing focus on protecting our land and taking care of our communities, we’re leaders in adopting responsible environmental practices while fostering an economically sustainable future for Cowichan Tribes.
PARTNERSHIPS
We want to instill confidence in our shareholders by upholding our values of respect and accountability to the highest standards, demonstrating measurable prosperity through our strategic initiatives and community impact.
GROUP OF COMPANIES
The Khowutzun Development has formed important partnerships with a broad group of companies throughout the Cowichan Tribes Territory and beyond whose values, goals, and approach align with our own. Community involvement and development is key to our collective priorities, and together we are invested in making meaningful and lasting contributions for our Cowichan Tribes Citizens and beyond.
Through our partnerships with the Khowutzun Group of Companies, we are creating more opportunities for Indigenous Peoples, increasing representation in a wide range of workplaces and industries throughout the Quw’utsun Valley.
KHOWUTZUN FOREST SERVICES
Khowutzun Forestry Services provides firefighting and silviculture services to the ancestral Quw’utsun territory, including manual brushing and weeding, tree planting, and land clearing, helping to improve forest health and timber yields and conserving wildlife habitat. Traditionally, the Quw’utsun’ People were extensively involved in forestry. The KD is proud to support this heritage by partnering with Khowutzun Forestry Services to create more jobs for our people within the forestry industry.
COSTA CANNA
Costa Canna is a successful retail cannabis franchise with a unique focus on healing. Through a growing list of Vancouver Island locations, Costa Canna provides exceptional opportunities for growth to Indigenous communities. Costa Canna is an industry leader in job creation, knowledge transfer, community outreach programs, and developing and upholding ethical standards.
Our Values
Economic Development
Careers Training and Employment
Strategic Planning and Sustainable Development
Quw’utsun Creates is an online directory connecting artisans, entrepreneurs, contractors, and businesses from the communities of the Cowichan Tribes to clients and buyers in the Quw’utsun Valley and beyond. This resource was created by the Khowutzun Development to highlight and celebrate the diverse talent within our communities, and increase exposure for Quw’utsun entrepreneurs, artists and service providers.