My name is Debra Toporowski. My traditional name is Qwulti’stunaat.

I was born and raised here in the Cowichan Valley. My grandparents are the late Stephen Jack and the late Rosie Peter (Billy) of Quamichan. Rosie Peter was the daughter of the late Johnny Billy. On my father's side my grandparents are Chung Yoi Wong and Sue Yee Wong. They owned the historic Duncan Steam Laundry services until 1974. My mother is the late Ethel Jack and my father is Howard Wong. I have three brothers and two sisters. 

When I was 22, an elder in my community told me I should run for chief because I was always advocating for my friends, family and community. A few years later I started volunteering at the BC NDP campaign office and then working at the MLA office. I remain committed to helping people and bettering my community.  

I have been serving as a councilor with the Municipality of North Cowichan for two terms and as a councilor of Cowichan Tribes for five terms. I am the former Chair of the First Nations Relations Committee and appointed to the Cowichan Valley Regional Board of Directors. When I was elected to the Municipality of North Cowichan I became the first elected female to hold positions on two councils at the same time. 

I formerly worked for Cowichan Tribes as the executive assistant in the human resources department. And for 12 years I worked for MLAs Doug Routley and Bill Routley, where I supported community members as the Constituency Assistant. 

In 2021, I was appointed Indigenous Watershed Champion by Watershed BC, and served as a panel member of the Pacific Salmon Commission from 2020 - 2025. 

In my downtime, I enjoy traveling around this beautiful island, fishing and gardening.