Vancouver Island residents in the Cowichan Valley honked horns and drove a 50 vehicle convoy around the region in a show of solidarity with Cowichan Tribes members on Sunday. An ongoing COVID-19 outbreak among the Tribes has led to an alarming number of anti-Indigenous comments and treatment of Tribes members by some residents and local businesses that intersect the nation's seven reserves. Cowichan Tribes member Joe Elliot says the car rally was a positive show of force:

The rally was in response to reports that Cowichan Tribes members have been refused service at dentists offices, grocery stores and restaurants because of the outbreak. The mayors of Duncan and North Cowichan along with Cowichan chief Willie Seymour reacted to the recent events with a joint statement, denouncing racism. In it, the leaders urged offending businesses to stop asking Indigenous customers if they live on reserve, and refusing them service if they do.  They say the businesses should instead, ask all customers appropriate COVID-19 screening questions about international travel and contact with known cases. The Tribes say the stress of the outbreak and the racist reactions to it has made many fearful to venture out for groceries.

Cowichan Tribes Councillor Stephanie Atleo took part in an anti-racism forum on Zoom after the car rally.  She called upon her non-Indigenous neighbours for support:

The Cowichan Tribes has extended its Shelter in Place Order until Feb. 5. Atleo says people outside of the reserves misunderstand what the order means. She says it does not mean that everyone is sick and isolating. It is an order that people living on reserve not visit each other, and stay within their households, instead. More than 130 Cowichan Tribes members have contracted COVID-19 since the outbreak was declared on New Year's Day. Earlier this month, the local health authority set up immunization clinics for all tribes members over the age of 65 in the hope of protecting the most vulnerable residents. The Cowichan Tribes are the largest first nation in British Columbia, with close to 5,000 members.