Akrigg, Helen B. "The Cowichan Settlers of 1862." B.C. Historical News 26, no. 3 (Summer 1993) (1993).

A historian provides a brief account of the arrival of the white settlers into Cowichan territory in 1862.

Arnett, Chris. The Terror of the Coast. Burnaby: Talonbooks, 1999.

This well-researched book provides a detailed look at the period of the first interactions between the Cowichan, and other native groups, and the colonial authorities in the mid-19th century.

Barnett, Homer Garner. The Coast Salish of British Columbia, University of Oregon Monographs. Studies in Anthropology ; No. 4. Eugene: University of Oregon, 1955.

This anthropological overview study of the “Coast Salish” of B.C., includes information on the Cowichan.

Barnston, Alexander. "Journal of the Vancouver Island Exploring Expedition." Victoria, 1864.

The Vancouver Island Exploring Expedition passed through Cowichan territory in 1864; this is one of the surviving accounts.

Bouchard, Randy, and Dorothy Kennedy, eds. Indian Myths and Legends from the North Pacific Coast of America - a Translation of Franz Boas' 1895 Edition of Indianische Sagen Von Der Nord-Pacifschen Kuste Amerikas. Vancouver, B.C.: Talonbooks, 2002.

Franz Boas is considered an important anthropologist.  He recorded several Cowichan traditional narratives, first published in German, but recently re-published in this edited volume.

Cryer, B.M. "The Flying Canoe:  Legends of the Cowichan." Victoria: J. Parker Buckle Printing Company, 1949.

This publication contains re-tellings of Cowichan narratives, apparently much altered in the process.

Dougan, R. I. Cowichan, My Valley. 2d ed. Duncan Print-Craft Ltd., Cobble Hill, B.C., 1973.

Accounts of the white settlement life in the Cowichan valley, with some descriptions of Cowichan people.

Curtis, Edward. The North American Indian, Volume 9: Coast Salish, Chimakum, Quilliute, Willipa. Edited by F.W. Hodge. Johnson Reprint Corp., New York; 1970 ed. 20 vols. Vol. 9. Reprint of 1913 edition.

This publication contains descriptions of Cowichan culture, history and narratives.  Edward Curtis was a famous photographer who attempted to document in 20 volumes, in words and photographs, all native North American tribes.

Gustafson, Paula. Salish Weaving. Vancouver, B.C.: Douglas & McIntyre, 1980.

An analysis and description of Salish weaving, with some information on Cowichan.

Harris, Cole. The Resettlement of British Columbia. Vancouver: UBC Press, 1997.

This book contains several articles with information about the Cowichan, in particular one that discusses smallpox and other epidemics brought by Europeans to Cowichan district, describing the effects.

Harris, Douglas C. Fish, Law and Colonialism:  The Legal Capture of Salmon in British Columbia. Toronto: University of Toronto Press, 2001.

A recent publication concerning native fishing rights in British Columbia; one chapter provides detailed documentation concerning the history of the Cowichan struggles to preserve their fishing rights.

Harris, Martha Douglas. History and Folklore of the Cowichan Indians. Victoria, B.C.: The Colonist Printing and Publishing Company, 1901.

The author, one of Sir James Douglas’ daughters, provides re-tellings of Cowichan narratives.

Hayman, John, ed. Robert Brown and the Vancouver Island Exploring  Expedition. Vancouver, B.C.: University of British Columbia Press, 1989.

The Vancouver Island Exploring Expedition passed through Cowichan territory in 1864, this edited book provides some of the accounts recorded at the time.

Hill-Tout, Charles. Report on the Ethnology of the South-Eastern Tribes of Vancouver Island. Edited by Ralph Maud. 1 ed, The Salishan People : The Local Contribution of Charles Hill-Tout, Volume IV: The Sechelt and the South-Eastern Tribes of Vancouver Island. Vancouver, B.C.: Talon Books, 1978.

Charles Hill-Tout attempted to record information concerning the native tribes on the lower Mainland and Vancouver Island; this re-publication of one of his books contains information he recorded from Cowichan sources.

Hukari, Dr. Thomas E., and Ruby Peter, eds. The Cowichan Dictionary of the Hul'qumi'num Dialects of the Coast Salish People. Duncan B.C.: Cowichan Tribes, 1995.

A dictionary of Hul'qumi'num, the language of the Cowichan Tribes.

Maclachlan, Morag, and Wayne P. Suttles. The Fort Langley Journals, 1827-30, Pioneers of British Columbia. Vancouver: UBC Press, 1998.

This book provides observations recorded by Hudsons Bay Company employees at Fort Langley on the Fraser River, including descriptions of the massive flotillas of Cowichan people and canoes who passed the fort each year.  Included is an informative essay by anthropologist Wayne Suttles.

Marshall, Daniel P. Those Who Fell from the Sky - a History of the Cowichan Peoples. Duncan, B.C.: Cultural & Education Centre Cowichan Tribes, 1999.

This book, published by the Cowichan Tribes, includes an overview of Cowichan history and traditions from various sources: archaeology, oral history, published and unpublished records.  This is the best single available source of information about the Cowichan.

Meikle, Margaret. Cowichan Indian Knitting. 1 ed, Museum Note No. 21. Vancouver, B.C.: UBC Museum of Anthropology, 1987.

A brief overview history of Cowichan knitting.

Norcross, E.B., and D.F. Tonkin. Vancouver Island of Frontier Days. Courtenay, BC: Island Books, 1969.

A local history of white pioneer life on Vancouver Island, containing some information about Cowichan Tribes.

Norcross, Elizabeth Blanche. Warm Land: A History of Cowichan. Rev. ed. Duncan, B.C.: Island Books, 1975.

A local history of white pioneer life in the Cowichan valley, containing some information about Cowichan Tribes.

Suttles, Wayne. "Central Coast Salish." In Handbook of North American Indians, Volume 7, Northwest Coast., edited by Wayne Suttles, 453-75. Washington, D.C.: Smithsonian Institution, 1990.

This “overview” article contains information about the Cowichan and other Coast Salish tribes.

———. Coast Salish Essays. Edited by Wayne Suttles and Ralph Maud. Vancouver; Seattle: Talonbooks; University of Washington Press, 1987.

A collection of essays by Wayne Suttles, an anthropologist who has studied Coast Salish tribes throughout his career.

———. "The Ethnographic Significance of the Fort Langley Journals." In The Fort Langley Journals, 1827-30, 279. Vancouver: UBC Press, 1998.

This informative chapter discussed the information about native people described in accounts by Hudsons Bay employees at Fort Langley.

Turner, Nancy J., and Royal British Columbia Museum. Food Plants of Coastal First Peoples: UBC Press, 1995.

Contains information about food plants used by the Cowichan.

Verney, Edmund Hope, and Allan Pritchard. Vancouver Island Letters of Edmund Hope Verney, 1862-65, The Pioneers of British Columbia. Vancouver: UBC Press, 1996.

Verney was a British naval officer stationed on the south B.C. Coast in the 1860s.  His letters contain references to his experiences while in the Cowichan district.

SPECIALIST INTEREST

British Columbia. Papers Connected with the Indian Land Question. 1850-1875. Victoria, B.C.: Richard Wolfenden, Government Printer, 1877.

This interesting publication includes copies of original government correspondence and records concerning the Cowichan and other B.C. tribes.

Chief Matthias, Charly Tsilpaymilt, and Simon C. Pierre. "Petitions to the King, Canadian and B.C. Government." BC Archvies, RG 10, V. 7780, f27150-3-1. Victoria, 1911.

This petition, seeking recognition of aboriginal title and rights, was presented to the King of England and to the Canadian and B.C. Governments.

Cowichan Tribe. "Petition to the Secretary of State for the Colonies." Ottawa: Department of Indian Affairs, RG 10, v. 4010, f. 259190; (BC Archives Reel B0345), 1909.

A petition concerning Cowichan aboriginal title and rights presented to the British government.

Cryer, B.M.  "Indian Legends of Vancouver Island." Victoria: Typescripts deposited at the PABC, 1930.

Typescripts of re-tellings of Cowichan narratives, apparently much altered by the writer.

Daily Colonist. "Indians' Petition to King Edward:  Full Text of Appeal Which Will Be Laid at Foot of the Throne." The Daily Colonist, 1906/7/6 1906, 8.

A copy of a petition concerning aboriginal rights and title, sent to King Edward on behalf of B.C. native tribes, including the Cowichan.

Douglas, James. "Report of a Canoe Expedition Along the East Coast of Vancouver Island." Journal of the Royal Geographical Society 24 (1854): 245-49.

A brief description by James Douglas of an expeditions that passed through Cowichan territory.

Francis, Father. "Early Cowichan History.” The B.C. Orphan’s Friend. 1928.

A series of articles on various aspects of Cowichan history, written by a Catholic priest.  Published by the Diocese of Victoria.

Harris, Samuel. "Cowitchan River." Victoria: B.C. Archives, 1860.

A description of an expedition up the Cowichan River by an early white settler in the area

Humphreys, John. "Cowichan Indian Stories and Legends and History of the Cowichan Indians." Victoria, B.C.: B.C. Archives, n.d.

John Humphreys’ grandfather was one of the first white people to settle in the Cowichan district; he married a Cowichan woman.  This typescript contains information on Cowichan history and traditions.

Lomas, W.H. "Journey to the Interior with the Indians." In Thirteenth Annual Report of the Church of England to British Columbia for the Year 1871, edited by Columbia Mission. London: Rivingtons, 1872.

William Lomas, a missionary, describes a hunting trip with Cowichan people to the north side of Cowichan Lake.

Rozen, David Lewis. "The Ethnogeography of the Cowichan River, British Columbia." Place Names of the Cowichan River.  Unpublished Report, 1977.

This report contains information, provided by Cowichan elders, about place names on the Cowichan River.

———. "Place-Names of the Island Halkomelem Indian People." University of British Columbia, Unpublished MA thesis, 1985.

This M.A. thesis provides information, recorded from Hul'qumi'num elders, some Cowichan, about place names in their territories.

Sproat, G.M. "Memorandum on Cowichan Reserve to the Attorney General." In B.C. Archives GR 0494 BC Provincial Secretary, Records Relating to Indian Affairs, 1876 - 1878; B-11011. Victoria, 1878.

Sproat was one of the first Indian Reserve Commissioners in British Columbia.  When conducting investigations in Cowichan territory, he encountered many problems resulting from the government mismanagement, described in this memorandum.

Turner, Nancy J.  The Ethnobotany of the Coast Salish Indians of Vancouver Island.  Economic Botany, 25 (3): 63-104.  1971.

Turner, Nancy J., and University of Victoria (B.C.). Environmental Studies Programme. Plants for All Reasons : Culturally Important Plants of Aboriginal Peoples of Southern Vancouver Island: University of Victoria, 1992.