Duncan

Duncan (pop. 4,812) is a city in southern Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada. It is about 50 kilometres from both Victoria to the south and Nanaimo to the north. It has a population of just 4,812. However, Duncan serves the Cowichan Valley, which has a population of 77,561. Duncan is the seat of the Cowichan Valley Regional District. Duncan is growing rapidly, with the construction of a new mall and multiple other developments under way.

Duncan is home to the BC Forest Discovery Centre. Before the U.S.-Canada softwood lumber dispute, Duncan and the whole Cowichan Valley were a thriving lumber centre in British Columbia.

Duncan's tourisim slogan is "The City of Totems". The city has many totem poles around the downtown area, which were erected in the late 1980's, including the world's largest Totem pole, carved by First Nations artisan Simon Charlie. Duncan is home to a large First Nations community, and is the traditional home of the Coast Salish Indians, who are the largest band in the Coast Salish tribe. The Salish are makers of the world famous Cowichan Sweaters.

Duncan is home to the world's largest ice hockey stick, which is on display on the side of the local arena. The stick was made specifically for Expo 86 in Vancouver.