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November 2019 WFN business e-newsletter. View this email in your browser

Indigenous Business of the Year: 'Country Pawn'

WFN Member, EDC Chair and business owner of Country Pawn, Steve Fosbery wins a 2019 2019-2022 Chief and Council Greater Westside Board of Trade ‘Key Business Congratulations to the new Chief and Council who were Award’, Oct 4. Press elected by WFN Members, September 19, for a three-year Release. term. Chris Derickson replaces Roxanne Lindley as Chief, with 200 votes to 174, and his Council includes returning Congratulations to all 2019 (2016-2019) Councillor Fernanda Alexander, returning nominees and winners! (2010-2013) Councillor Lorrie Hogaboam and new Councillors Jordan Coble and Andrea Alexander. Derickson, who has held a Councillor seat since 2012, looks forward to continuing the strong tradition of progressive governance and innovative leadership, while ensuring a sustainable economy. "We want to make sure the economy we’ve built here continues to flourish," says Chief Derickson. WFN generated $1 billion in gross domestic product last year, and has seen a total assessed value of its two reserves rise more than 600% after inflation from 2005 to 2019. New EDC commissioner Kelsey WFN thanks the past Council for their dedication and McLeod contributions to the community. Limlemt.

WFN Chief and Council welcome and congratulate Kelsey McLeod, plus Brianna Wilson (returning youth commissioner), for recently starting a new three year term on WFN’s EDC. limləmt/thanks to Sharon Peterson, CEO YMCA , for the successful and meaningful past three years served on the commission.

Fraser Report: WFN Subscribe offersPast Issues important Translate RSS economic lessons

A report released in September by the Fraser Institute, a Canadian public policy think-tank, describes WFN’s economic achievements as nationally progressive and leading edge.

Westbank First Nation Jobs

Current opportunities The interior salish First Nation people of the Okanagan, include Facility Operator, Shuswap and Thompson-Nicola are joining together to host th Youth Recreation Team the 8 annual International Indigenous Tourism Conference, Nov 13-14, at the Delta Grand in Leader, Human Resources . Manager, Membership Administration Support, The conference will include keynotes Jordin Tootoo and Aboriginal Infant and Child Sarain Fox, a grand entry, Taste of Nations culinary event Development Workers, and and fashion show, plus panel and breakout sessions, and an awards gala. Self-Government Implementation Don't miss out! The conference is now 92% sold out. Researcher. Information/Registration Website

Launch of Westside Business Watch

A crime-prevention initiative was launched Oct 22 by the Regional District of Central Okanagan, Greater Westside Board of Trade, RCMP, Westbank First Nation and City of . The new program is modeled after the Central Okanagan residential Block Watch program, provides business owners Economic and staff with free crime prevention advice, hand-on Development solutions to incidents and a business network to share and Commission report information.

Moving Forward 2025, a Register or Additional Info. new strategic plan, provides a roadmap to business growth in the region. Call for Interest applications, due Nov 7, to serve on Advisory Council.

Fundraising Campaign for new Okanagan College Health Sciences Centre

Okanagan College has launched a new fundraising campaign called “Our Students, Your Health”. Money raised will support the completion of the new multi-million dollar Health Sciences Centre, currently under construction at the Kelowna campus.

Business After Hours Aboriginal Veterans Day Nov 14 (Holiday Inn, West Kelowna) and Dec 12 Please join us Nov 8, 10:30am - 11:15am, at our (Best Western, WFN). Community Core, 1900 Quail Lane, as we honour all Greater Westside Board Indigenous Veterans. Subscribe ofPast Trade Issues events listing Translate RSS The event includes a welcome by Chief Derickson; Okanagan prayer by Councillor Coble; acknowledgement by Lt Colonel Mead; 'Okanagan Song', 'In Flanders Field', YMCA Okanagan 'Soldier Boy' and 'Woman's Warrior Song' by Sənsisyustən students; 'Amazing Grace' by Kim Smith-Jones; laying of Are you a strong wreaths (everyone welcome); minute of silence at swimmer? Consider 11:11am; plus lunch reception to follow in the siya room at becoming a lifeguard. 11:15am. Do you enjoy working with children? Consider becoming a childhood Pine Acres' Annual Craft & Christmas Bazaar educator. Job Opportunities Join WFN at this well-attended fun community event, Sat Nov 16, 9am to noon, 1902 Pheasant Lane, Westbank. Call 250-768-7676 ext 108 for more info. Pine Acres Home is WFN's intermediate care facility, providing quality care for community elders, both native and non-native. More about Pine Acres

Accelerate Okanagan CEO: Brea Lake

Congratulations to Brea Lake for recently being appointed CEO to the Accelerate organization! WFN values the support WFN School Goes Solar Accelerate provides business start-ups and the September 27 marked the grand re-opening of WFN’s remarkable economic sənsisyustən House of Learning elementary school following impact the technology a $9 million expansion and renovation including the industry has on our addition of rooftop solar. The project was primarily funded region. through the Indigenous Services Canada innovation fund, in addition to WFN’s own source revenue and the Province of More information B.C.’s clean energy business fund. More information International Council of Shopping Centres

Join WFN’s EDC Chair WFN Business and Community Videos Steve Fosbery, WFN Chief Check out WFN’s Youtube channel including a new Derickson, and many ARTEMEX business video, plus videos on ‘Indigenous others, at the Tourism’, ‘Welcome to WFN’, plus Hometown Hockey’s International Council of profile on ‘Indigenous World Winery’, and a feature on the Shopping Centres 1st annual ‘Okanagan Indigenous Music Festival’ held Aug (ICSC) Conference, Jan 2019, plus much more. 26-28, 2020, Whistler. limləmt/thank-you to Tourism Kelowna for proudly ICSC provides showcasing the ‘Welcome to WFN’ video at your new Visitor opportunities to gain Centre as well! information about the most current shopping WFN Employment Coordinator Janice Money centre industry trends, and to network with those Businesses looking to hire WFN Members can contact WFN’s doing business in our new Employment Coordinator, Janice Money. Janice keeps a region. database of employment and education credentials for Members seeking employment and acts as a liaison to businesses seeking employees. To discuss your recruiting Call to Entrepreneurs requirements, contact Janice at [email protected] or 250 768 0227. limləmt/thank-you Janice! WFN’s Economic Development is proud to support individuals wishing Subscribe toPast Issuesstart or open Translate RSS businesses. For information or referrals related to business planning, funding, support or mentorship, please call 250-769-4999 or email.

U-Haul Art Mural WFN is proud of its business community! U-Haul located in the Westbank Shopping Centre recently installed a large wall mural, featuring artwork, along the west-facing wall. The mural was designed by artist Sheldon Louis, and guided by the Westbank Public Art Committee. More Information

WFN Employment Coordinator, Janice Money

Businesses looking to hire WFN Members can contact WFN’s new Employment Coordinator, Janice Money. Janice keeps a database of employment and education credentials for Members seeking Goat's Peak Regional Park Opening employment and acts as a Pat Fosbery, WFN CAO, checks out the new Goat's Peak liaison to businesses Regional Park map as part of the opening of the 52-hectare seeking employees. To regional park, September 18, along Seclusion Bay Road off discuss your recruiting requirements, contact Highway 97 in West Kelowna. Janice at [email protected] ̓ or 250 768 0227. The 1.3-kilometre Big Sagebrush (qʷlqʷlmniɬp) trail is the limləmt/thank-you Janice! main access to the park and links to a viewpoint while the 1.2-kilometre Mountain Goat (sx̌ʷƛ̓ iʔ) trail climbs over 200 metres to a summit vista.

West Kelowna Women WFN works closely with RDCO to ensure the park is focused of Influence Gala as much on protection as it is a space for the public.

Join the West Kelowna More information Women of Influence at their 4th Annual gala, Nov 15, 5:30pm.– Okanagan Young Professionals Events 11:30pm, Shannon Lake Golf Course, raising funds Nov 4, Young Health Professionals Fall Social, Gather Restaurant, Kelowna for a local habitat for Nov. 5, Lunch n Learn, Cyber Security by Valley First humanity family. Nov 6, GenNext Community After Hours with United Way @ Rustic Reel Brewing, Kelowna Nov. 12, Lunch n Learn, WorksafeBC by Pushor Mitchell Future Biz Nov. 26, Lunch n Learn, Tax Planning for Entrepreneurs by Grant Thornton Dec 4, When Disaster Hits: Preparing for the unexpected in your business, Register/Info Subscribe Past Issues Translate RSS

Zach Webster, Okanagan College Business Walk, Oct 2 Businesses interested in exploring staff training WFN's EDC, and Chief & Council, participated in the opportunities, including COEDC-led 7th annual regional business walk. 63 WFN managerial and customer businesses were surveyed, representing nearly 15% of all service, or have questions WFN businesses, with results showing 94% of WFN on customized training businesses are ‘growing’ or ‘steady’. solutions, contact Zach Webster, 250-762-5445, Thank you to all the businesses who took the time to [email protected]. participate. ca, to schedule a call or one-on-one visit to your More information business.

First Nation Finance Authority WFN Directory Congratulations to the First Nations Finance Authority Main Reception (FNFA), a finance broker located on WFN lands, who 250 769 4999 announced last Tuesday they've issued their 6th debenture (bond) raising $170 million for Indigenous governments! The bond helps governments build administrative buildings, Employment hotels, schools and other infrastructure projects on Coordinator traditional territories. 250 768 8281 To date the projects have created nearly 1,500 jobs, mainly for Indigenous people on reserves. FNFA is a not-for-profit Health & Wellness organization providing Indigenous governments access to 250 768 0227 both short and long term loans. Article

Youth & Education 250 768 4838

Recreation 250 768 7337

Utilities 250 707 3332

Public Works 250 707 0493

Law Enforcement 250 717 6147

Museum 778 755 2787

Full Directory

way xast sputa? / Happy Holidays WFN Office Closures

WFN Offices will be closed Monday, December 23rd, and will reopen Thursday, January 2nd. Emergency after-hours numbers include Utilities 250-707- 3332 and Public Works 250-707-0493. Subscribe Past Issues Translate RSS WFN Economic Development Commission (EDC) Steve Fosbery, Chairperson James Carmichael, Vice Chairperson Kelsey McLeod Jennifer Money Lori Ann Swite Brianna Wilson Lenora Posella-Holding

View Commissioner profiles > WFN EDC Mission: Assist & facilitate Chief & Council, and the WFN business community, to create a healthy, environmentally sustainable & dynamic economy based on values of self-reliance.

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