HMTQ V Wilson Brown's Creek Logging Case
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
June 2007 1 Okanagan Indian Band “Ensuring the Future through Cultural, Social and Economic Development.” HMTQ V Wilson Brown’s Creek Logging Case CONTENTS Page 2-4: Department News Page 5-8: School News Page 9: Graduation Page 10: Nursing Grad Page 11: BCCA Award Page 12: Fisheries Page 13-16: Sports Page 17: Announcements Page 18-20: Job Postings Page 21:Announcements Page 22-23 Gathering Page 24-25: Posters Page 26-27: Pictures Page 28: Announcements Dan Wilson, Councillor Tim Alexis, Sherry Louis, Councillor Emery Robins, Councillor Don Louis, Will Wilson, and Grace Aljam On May 16th, 17th, 18th, and The Okanagan Indian Band The Oknagan Indian Band would 22nd in Vancouver at the opposed the Province's motion, like to thank the many supporters Supreme Court of Canada there and asked the Court to approve from the Okanagan, and was a court hearing as the amendments to the Statement of Shuswap Nations, the presence province had brought a motion to Defence and Counterclaim, of all of you demonstrated to the sever issues related to the including the addition of a claim Judge the importance of the land recognition of Aboriginal title, and for a declaration of title. The question to the Okanagan and to focus only on the issues of decision should be made within your determination to have the Aboriginal rights to harvest trees the next 8 weeks, and the out- Court consider this issue. for domestic purposes. come of these motions will shape the future of this case. Okanagan Indian Band 12420 Westside Road, Vernon BC, V1H-2A4 BC, Vernon Road, Westside 12420 Murray Baptiste, Steven George, Pierre Kruger, Francis Kruger, Frank Paul Jr., and Howard Gabriel June 2007 2 Department News Governance Division Report Submitted by: Cliff Thorstenson, Governance Manager Hello, everybody. for the selection of future Band Councils Council has identified "better communica- This is an update on the activities and plans " preparing for a band vote on property tions with Band members" as one of its top of the Governance Division of the taxation priorities for this term. One tool for better Okanagan Indian Band. " developing a position of "Director of communications will be regularly scheduled Operations" (similar in some ways to Band meetings four times a year. The first The Governance Division consists of: the former position of Band Manager) of these was held on June 4. We will also Sharmaine Gregoire, Executive to manage the day-to-day operations be clarifying procedures for band members Assistant, James Louie, Band of the Band to bring concerns/complaints to Council or Membership Officer, Sherry Louis, " negotiating agreements with govern staff. Council Secretary and Executive ment and industry, asserting OKIB Assistant, Josie Saddleman, Band interests and Syilx title and rights The opportunities for the Okanagan Indian Receptionist, Cliff Thorstenson, " putting Band Council minutes and Band are huge. But so are the challenges. Governance Manager other key documents into a search In order to meet the pressures on the land able electronic database from population growth, pollution, climate We also have two people working in term " developing a "one paper copy" filing change and pine beetle, and the continuing positions. Tetku Parker is editing the system with electronic back-up provincial and federal policies of assimila- Senk'l'ip and managing the OKIB website. " comprehensively reviewing and tion that fail to recognize Syilx title and Len Lindstrom is assisting Sharmaine with updating the Band's policies, starting rights, the Band needs a strong foundation organizing the upcoming Nk’ma’pel’qs gath- with personnel policies of good governance including a major role ering and helping to develop our information " improving the Senk'l'ip and OKIB for band membership. I look forward to and filing systems. website working with you to continue to strengthen " improving technology for band mem the governance of the Okanagan Indian Some of the priorities for the Governance bership records, and developing a Band. Division over the next several months are: fee structure for status card applica " developing a "custom election code" tions from non-Band members Development & Leasing on Reserve Submitted by: Lyle Brewer Workshop on Leasing and Land Values proposals for the development of their land, Okanagan Band Council has agreed to spon- Head of the Lake Hall one of the most important questions will be sor a short workshop for Band members on Tuesday, June 17, 2007 "What is my land worth?" land leasing and valuation. The purpose of 5 pm to 9 pm (supper provided at 5 pm) the workshop will be to give Band members Presenters: Lyle Brewer, Economic While leasehold developments can generate an overview of current and probable future Development Manager, Rod Cook, Kent significant incomes for CP landowners, CP real estate market conditions in the North Macpherson Appraisals holders who aren't fully informed or properly Okanagan and the various factors that affect advised could commit to deals that are well the value and marketability of leasehold inter- In recent years, there have been a number of below market values. In other words, they ests in their lands. proposals brought forward for large scale real could agree to lease their lands for too little - estate developments on the Band's reserve particularly if they are dealing with an This workshop is for any OKIB members lands. Most of these proposals have been for unscrupulous developer. interested in the development of their reserve residential developments while others have lands. Certificate of Possession holders within been for commercial or industrial develop- Although there is no exact science or magic the Okanagan Band membership who are ment. These proposals are the result of formula for determining what a lease of a spe- considering development proposals, consider- increasing demand for real estate in the North cific parcel of land is worth, a basic under- ing leasing their land for development or con- Okanagan which can be attributed in part to standing of local the real estate market and sidering developing their land on their own are the high desirability of the Okanagan as a the various factors that affect the value of land encouraged to attend. Owners of lakefront place to live. Many real estate experts expect will enable the landowner to make an informed properties are especially encouraged to attend that the demand for real estate will remain decision. because of the relatively high value of lake- high for the foreseeable future. front land and, therefore, the highest potential Because each property is unique, each prop- loss of income resulting from uninformed Continued strong demand for real estate in the erty must be assessed based on factors such lease dealings. North Okanagan will translate into a growing as local real estate market conditions, the demand for real estate within the Okanagan property's attributes (location, topography, soil The workshop will be held on Tuesday, June Band reserves as the amount of land available conditions, etc.), services available to the 17th, 2007 at Head of the Lake Hall on for development off-reserve decreases property, Band fees and charges, develop- Okanagan IR#1. The workshop will com- Developers will be looking to the Band's ment standards, land use controls on adjacent mence with a dinner at 5:00 PM, followed by reserves as a source of readily available, rea- properties and environmental restrictions. The presentations by Lyle Brewer, Economic sonably priced land. valuation of lands within the Okanagan Band's Develpment Manager, OKIB, and Rod Cook of reserves is particularly challenging because Kent Macpherson Appraisals. Additional The Band's reserves are being eyed as a the lack of land use controls creates a great resource people may be on hand to provide source of land for future development which deal of uncertainty about the supply of land for information and answer questions as well. raises some serious questions for the Band's various uses and the uses which may occur in membership, particularly CP landholders who the future on adjacent lands. Inquiries should be directed to Lyle Brewer, may be approached to lease land for develop- Economic Development Manager at the Band ment or to legalize existing buckshee lease To assist Band members in gaining a better Office. agreements. For those members who receive understanding of land values in general, the June 2007 Senk l ip News 3 Department News The NIHB Program Submitted by: Linda Bonneau The NIHB Program is a national How do you access medical ic medical needs and Patient Travel health benefit program. transportation benefits? according to the agree Minimum of 2 weeks notice for Which pays for some, or all of the If you live within a First Nations or ment negotiated with the patient travel arrangements (if costs of medical, dental and phar- Inuit community contact your local association of your possible) macy services that eligible First Health or Band Office or the provincial or territorial Nations and Inuit may need. The responsible First Nations and travel assistance pro FNIHB Pacific Region benefits and services of the NIHB Inuit Health Authority for informa- grams. First Nations and Inuit Program are in addition to provin- tion. Make your appointment with Health Branch cial and territorial insured health the nearest appropriate Crisis Intervention Counseling Federal Building care programs medical/dental professional Short-term crisis intervention 757 West Hastings Street Who Is An Eligible Recipient? counseling may be provided by a Suite 540 " A registered Indian Dental recognized professional mental Vancouver, British Columbia V6C according to the Indian Coverage for dental services is health therapist when no other 3E6 Act. determined on an individual services are available to the Toll free: 1-800-317-7878 " An infant less than age basis, taking into consideration recipient.