OKANAGAN INDIAN BAND 12420 Westside Road Vernon BC V1H 2A4 SENK’LIP NEWS September 2019 OKIB Sues Feds Over Water Situation The Okanagan Indian Band (OKIB) took the to find a solution – specifically improvements to the extraordinary step of filing a suit in Federal Court systems to ensure the safety of drinking water. August 15 against the federal government over its failure to ensure the safety of drinking water. After nine years of determined and good faith efforts on the part of the OKIB, the federal government has The action revolves around drinking water systems made upgrades to only one of seven systems. OKIB felt constructed since the 1970’s according to standards no option was left, apart from legal action. specified by Indian Affairs Canada. The water systems rely on groundwater wells that supply untreated water “We have to act,” said Chief Byron. “We are concerned to hundreds of homes. The wastewater from those that it will take a crisis like a death or sickness from homes goes to individual septic fields which may be contamination before the federal government takes any contaminating groundwater. action – other than constant delay. This is unacceptable in a developed country. “The federal government has put the lives of our “It’s really an issue of people at risk,” said equality – if you can turn Chief Byron Louis. on the tap in Vernon and “We are stuck in limbo assume the water is safe, it between federal policy should be the same in our that underfunds our community.” system and provincial The suit simply asks for infrastructure resources confirmation that First we cannot access. The Nations have the same federal government is access to safe drinking simply not serious about safe drinking water for First water as other Canadians. That would compel the Nations communities.” federal government to ensure water infrastructure that An expert assessment commissioned by the federal meets safety standards – with a timeline. government in 2010 ranked OKIB drinking water All OKIB members should be aware that the current systems an 8 out of 10 on a scale of potential risk to water quality across IR#1 has not changed and that human health. To date, only one of those systems has this action is meant to call Canada to account for its seen significant upgrades. failures to safeguard our water systems from future A joint water management study from 2017 estimated contamination concerns. the cost of upgrades at $45 million. At present the Any questions or concerns should be sent to Michael largest drinking water system at OKIB is under a do Fotheringham, Manager of Policy and Strategy at not consume order. OKIB has worked with Ottawa [email protected] Connect with OKIB today! Visit our website & register Find us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram to access member-only and YouTube. Search /okanaganband content at www.okib.ca OKIB Policies and Bylaws OKIB Cannabis Member Feedback July/August 2019 1) What are your overall feelings about Cannabis shops on reserve? (Circle the one that most suits your point of view): I’m fine with how the Cannabis shops are currently operating on reserve 25.80% 16 I’d like to see more requirements of where these shops can operate and the 22.58% 14 need for security checks for staff (for example) We should require provincial licensing of dispensaries on reserve in order to 32.25% 20 ensure a safe supply of cannabis I don’t like these shops on reserve 20.00% 12 TOTAL 62 2) Of the major themes that are at play in this issue, what ones are most important to you? (Circle all that apply): Safety for residents (for consumers of cannabis in terms of supply and in 54.76% 35 terms of the types of dispensary operators active in the community) Opportunities for entrepreneurship amongst members 26.19% 16 Reputation and Fairness– desire for some order in terms of appearance on 38.10% 28 reserve and administering licenses Legal Risks if we proceed without provincial/federal license regime 35.71% 22 Exercising autonomy and sovereignty over OKIB lands 40.48% 26 3) Despite some potential legal risks, are you happy for OKIB to make our own laws to regulate cannabis on reserve (these laws would not explicitly require provincial licensing)? Yes, let’s exercise our sovereignty on this issue and create our own law 53.44% 31 Maybe, we should follow the best advice of the lawyers 10.34% 6 No, the lack of safe supply and legal risks are too much of a risk to the 36.20% 21 community TOTAL 58 4) Please share any thoughts you have on this issue. The responses to this question were varied but overall it was a mix of members wanting to see more safety. There were concerns that the benefits needed to be felt by members more than off-reserve people. There were doubts whether OKIB had the manpower to enforce a bylaw properly. NEXT STEPS: Likely another community forum to discuss a draft bylaw where the need for provincial licensing would be the sole responsibility of the dispensary operators. A plan for enforcement needs to be developed. 2 Senk’lip OKIB Employee Highlight The Human Resources Department would like Jeff Van Ryckeghem – Public Works and to announce some of our recent hires. Please Housing, Project Manager join me in welcoming them to OKIB: Jami Tonasket – Community Safety Coordinator Ashley Gregoire – Cultural Immersion School, Language and Culture Assistant Dylan Wilson and Ethan Joe – On-Call Fire Fighters Alicia Marchand, Angela Miller and Kristen Mitchell – Cultural Immersion School, Sylvia Altwasser – HR Manager Education Assistants Two Paddling Opportunities for Youth OKIB Youth Ages 8 – 12 years’ old who are interested in some paddling please attend this fun filled day. Please come register at 10:00am - Komasket White-water Rafting Saturday September 14th 2019 For OKIB Youth Ages: 12 – 18 years’ old CANOEING Saturday September 7, 2019 Lim ited spots available. Must register. For more information and to register please contact: Ciaran McDonagh Phone: 250-542-5094 Ext. 208 Email: [email protected] September 2019 3 Syilx Nation Recognition Agreement Community Discussions POSTPONED, Pending Outcome of Federal Election At the direction of the Chiefs, the Recognition get the necessary Finance approvals required Agreement was negotiated to protect and for this agreement to be signed before the fall advance the Syilx Nation’s collective Title and election. Rights, with nothing ceded or lost. It was not This is a setback. However, depending on the about reorganizing governance within the results of the federal election, negotiations limitations of a non-profit society. It’s been may resume on this Syilx Nation Recognition designed to empower and engage Syilx Nation Agreement. members to work together to rebuild a unified Syilx Nation government guided by our laws We would like to take this opportunity to and responsibilities. express our appreciation and gratitude to all of the Syilx Nation members who have This agreement would require the federal contributed to this process to date. In the government to make a commitment of many meantime, Nation rebuilding work will millions of dollars annually to support the continue through the community-led Syilx Syilx Nation’s work to develop and implement Nation Rising process. Syilx Nation governance. Even though the agreement had been approved in principle by lim'lempt Cabinet, the federal government has informed Grand and Chief Stewart Phillip, Chair our negotiators that it has run out of time to N A T I O N L E V E L S Y I L X F O R U M S OON NNEEDD OOSSTTPPO N A T I O N PP oommee gg oouuttcc eennddiinn R E C O G N I T I O N pp leeccttiioonn eerraall eel ooff ffeedd IMPORTANT DISCUSSION FOR ALL SYILX NATION MEMBERS Friday, August 16, 10:30am–2pm Four Points Sheraton, Kelowna Tuesday, August 20, 10am–3pm Penticton LakesideE, PentDicton Monday, August 26, 10am–T3pm PMerriOtt CivicN Centre, Merritt Please join to Olearn mSore, ask questions and share your voice! Upholding their mandate to protect and aPdvance Syilx People’s Title and Rights, the Chiefs Executive Council has been negotiating with Canada at a Recognition of Indigenous Rights and Self-Determination table. We know who we are. Through this process, the government of Canada can finally and formally tell itself to recognize the Syilx People and our Syilx Nation. This is a much more effective path than continually fighting for our rights in costly endless court cases. This is a not a treaty. It is not a land claim settlement. It does not set up a municipal level government. It has nothing to do with a corporation. This is an unprecedented opportunity to take control of our future now as a Nation. Come share your voice and contribute to our collective vision of self determination. Local discussions are also being organized by Chiefs and Councils in each community. For Nation forum info, please contact Charlotte Armstrong: [email protected] | 250.707.0095 x208 4 Senk’lip Family is Community: An OKIB Parents and Family Event Rattle Making September 12, from 5 to 8 p.m. Blue Bird / Golden Eagle Building Mothers, Fathers, Grandparents, Community Members and all family members are welcome to this community event. All supplies for rattles, and a light dinner, to be provided. Join in a community program series that connects and supports healthy families! Max 15 participants. For more information, and to enroll, contact: Amber Froste, CHN at 250-542-5094 Or Danielle Saddleman at 250-503-5593 email: [email protected] email: [email protected] The Indigenous Artisan’s Trail Seeks Artists Calling All Indigenous Artists: The Indigenous • Travel to festivals, farmer’s markets and other Artisan’s Trail (IArT) is a non-profit program run by events all over our massive region up to 5 First Nations, for First Nations.