Valerie Cross-Blackett and her workmate Tammy Williams, both from Tsawwassen First Nation, were spending a late afternoon in June at the beach in Chemainus. They had just finished a day’s work at the Naut’sa mawt Tribal Council head office at nearby Halalt First Nation.

Val, who is the tribal council’s governance advisor, was looking out over the water along with many other people enjoying themselves. She occasionally noticed two dogs swimming around what she first assumed to be a log near the warning light about 100 meters offshore. She then realized that the log might be a body and she sprang into action.

Shouting to others around the beach park, she ran into the water and swam out to where the dogs were circling. Grabbing ahold of the facedown body, she yelled to a man to help control the dogs as she made her way back to the beach.

By then a small crowd had gathered. Someone had dialed 911. Resuscitation efforts began. After some short conversations with onlookers, Val and Tammy made their way back to their hotel. It wasn’t until the next day that Val learned about the man she had tried to save.

On an online memorial page were the words:

Roderick Beaton died while doing one of his favourite things, swimming in the ocean with his two dogs… A proud kilt-wearing, haggis-eating Scot, he married Marny in 2008 and found a peace and happiness that was to stay with him until his untimely death… He never let the truth get in the way of a good story. And he loved the Lord, singing and playing mandolin, cooking (especially baking), and gardening.

A memorial service was held on June 13. The family requested, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the SPCA.

“This story and Val’s truly heroic efforts made everyone stop and think,” the tribal council chief administrator Gary Reith said after the incident.

“We were all aware of Val’s deep cultural strengths and vaguely realized what a fit person she is. But we were all taken aback by the physical and emotional strength she displayed that day. She saw someone in need and leapt into action without a thought.

“It was a sad ending for Roderick. But I am honoured to work daily with someone who shows the genuine human strengths that Val always displays.”