Controvesy Over Placing Cross Back Atop Mt. Tzouhalem

When I first heard that the big white cross that sat atop Mt. Tzouhalem for the past 46 years had been bowled over in our recent windstorm, one of my first thoughts was that there just might be some controversy about putting it back up on the high, rocky abutment overlooking the Cowichan Valley. Sure enough, there is now a heated debate swirling around the question of whether the iconic white cross is appropriate for such a visible, public landmark.

The controversy has caused the owners of the property, the Nature Conservancy of Canada, to officially ask the public for feedback before it makes its decision. To many, the cross is a Christian symbol representing only one of many faith and belief systems in the Cowichan Valley. Others point out that according to Canadian Census data the percentage of local residents who profess to be “non-religious” is probably 50% or more. So, you can see why there’s now a difference of opinion..

Rescuing the cross after it blew over into a gully

To me, I’ve always regarded the cross not as a religious symbol but rather a simple signpost signifying the end of a great hike and a place to sit down, enjoy the view, have a quick bite to eat and just rest a bit before heading back down the mountain. The cross just happens to be located in a perfect place to allow an unobstructed view of the entire Cowichan Valley and the cross is a perfect backdrop for photos just to prove you made it all the way to the summit.

No one has suggested putting up a statue of me!

As one might expect, those wishing to replace the cross have come up with all kinds of ideas.  Some are good while others are quite bizarre. The ideas range from a statue of Chief Tzouhalem, a tapering, pillar-shaped cairn made of white rock or a reflective metal surface at the top to catch and reflect sun rays (and to possibly blind pilots who are landing or taking off from the Victoria International Airport not too far to the south).  I’m sure the Nature Conservancy is going to have a great time plowing through all the submissions.

In the meantime, while awaiting final word from the NCC, the revamped, white, iron cross has new side supports along with a new metal base that can be cemented into the ground before its bolts are covered in concrete. It has 2 fresh coats of paint and all the owner, Jack Pearce, needs now is the o.k. to put the cross back in place where it sat for 46 non-controversial years. If I had to make a bet right now on the final outcome, I think the cross will eventually be put back in place. Maybe!

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