Roger Knox - Vernon Morning Star Published: November 27, 2010 12:00 PM
Two Indian bands may not have the services of the Armstrong-Spallumcheen Fire Department during emergencies. At a joint Armstrong-Spallumcheen council meeting Thursday, it was recommended that the township and city advise the Okanagan and Splats’in bands that the fire department is unable to respond to future calls for fire assistance. A major concern is if Armstrong-Spallumcheen firefighters and their equipment are helping with a fire on band land and a fire breaks out in either the township or city. The township and city had met with OKIB officials to discuss coming up with a mutual aid or fee-for-service agreement. The Armstrong-Spallumcheen Fire Department helped out with two fires on band land earlier this year. Both Mayor Will Hansma, of Spallumcheen, and Chris Pieper, of Armstrong, had given authorization for the fire department to attend both blazes.
Armstrong Coun. Ryan Nitchie called the situation a moral dilemma, and questioned why the onus had been put on the township and city to provide additional fire protection. “The Okanagan Indian Band is responsible for providing fire protection for the people on their land,” said Nitchie. John Trainor, a councillor for Armstrong, was opposed to entering into a fee-for-service agreement. “We would become a de factor fire department that would double the size of what we’re supposed to look after,” said Trainor. Another problem is the fire department being sent to areas outside its boundary by fire dispatch. The joint council recommendation also includes letting fire dispatch know that the local department would not attend fires outside their area.
The recommendation caught both Chief Fabian Alexis, of the Okanagan Indian Band, and Chief Wayne Christian, of the Splats’in First Nation, by surprise. “I’m a little confused because we met with both sides a few weeks back and were looking at a mutual aid agreement but realized it wasn’t quite encompassing for us, but then we were looking at a fee-for-service agreement,” said Alexis. The Okanagan Indian Band has its own fire department. “I’m surprised. We do realize there is huge liability concerns if they do come on to the reserve. We are working towards a fee-for-service agreement, but our council needs to be appraised of that,” said Alexis. “I don’t know what’s the alternative. We do have a small fire department. We were working towards an agreement. Now I’m wondering if there’s something else they know that they haven’t communicated with us.” The Splats’in First Nation does not have its own volunteer fire department, and does have a mutual aid agreement with the City of Enderby’s volunteer department. Christian finds it interesting that neither the township or city contacted his band about the meeting. “I thought we had a better relationship with local government, obviously we don’t,” said Christian.“It concerns me that they didn’t have the courtesy to contact us to have dialogue and discussion around these issues.”
Showing posts with label first nations. Show all posts
Showing posts with label first nations. Show all posts
Saturday, November 27, 2010
Sunday, July 12, 2009
Banishment becomes the law on WFN reserves
Jason Luciw - Kelowna Capital News Published: July 10, 2009
Serious criminal offenders are living on borrowed time on the Westbank First Nation’s two Westside and three Kelowna reserves. WFN council secretariat Kirk Dressler is one of three lawyers who has worked with Chief Robert Louie and council to implement the band’s new Community Protection Law, which was adopted last week. Dressler said the law will allow the band to impose restraining orders on repeat drug offenders, sexual predators and people convicted of serious violent crimes, ranging from aggravated assault to murder. Both native and non-native offenders will be subjected to the law on reserve land.
“These types of individuals are identified as a significant threat to the community,” said Dressler. “The restraining order will limit the individual’s right to access areas surrounding community facilities, buildings owned by the Westbank First Nation, churches, schools, day cares, bus stops, parks and other amenities like biking paths.” A 500-metre buffer will be established around the sites, preventing the individuals from accessing virtually all populated areas of the reserves, said Dressler. Offenders will be given a map showing the areas they are precluded from entering, he explained. If the individual owns property on the reserves, however, the Westbank First Nation is incapable of preventing them from accessing their holdings, noted Dressler. Therefore, the band would impose restrictions on how the individual could access and leave the property.
Under the new law, the band has specific criteria it must follow before imposing the restraining order. For example, chief and council must hold a hearing where offenders have the right to legal representation. “If council is satisfied that the restrictions under (the offender’s) probation, some form of treatment or other mechanisms are sufficient to address the threat that these individuals present then no action will be taken,” Dressler said.
Dressler was asked how chief and council could have jurisdiction, limiting an individual’s mobility rights. “Council is asserting its authority over Westbank lands,” he explained.“It has jurisdiction under the (WFN) self government agreement with respect to peace, order and public safety.” Provisions in the band’s law will allow the individual to appeal the order. The offender’s case can also be reviewed annually. The restraint can be temporarily suspended if the offender needs to return to band lands for compassionate reasons.
The law was proposed more than a year ago, following pressure from both members and non-band members living on Westbank First Nation land, who wanted action taken to protect reserve land from serious criminal offences, said Dressler. “This law is without precedent in this province or this country and not just on First Nation lands,” said Dressler. “It is thorny territory and there are constitutional issues and we are well aware of that.” However, the Community Protection Law was created on the basis that a dangerous offender’s mobility rights must be balanced against a greater social purpose. “Council must be reasonably satisfied that the presence of the convicted person poses a significant threat to the health, safety or well being of any person on WFN lands,” Dressler continued, “and, that there is no other way to reasonably reduce the threat.”
The band will work with RCMP to identify cases where orders should be considered. With passage of the law, it will now proceed to an implementation stage, allowing lawyers to refine rules concerning how hearings will be conducted, said Dressler. Following that, the band will properly apprise all residents living on band land of the law’s existence and purpose. Chief Robert Louie was on vacation and unavailable for comment.Kelowna RCMP Supt. Bill McKinnon did not return a call requesting comment before press deadline.
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Penticton Indian Band-Summerland council set historic first
JOHN MOORHOUSE Tuesday, June 23, 2009 Penticton Herald:
SUMMERLAND -- It may have been an informal “get to know you” session, but it was definitely a first. For the first time in their 100-plus year history as neighbours, members of Summerland council and the Penticton Indian Band council held a joint meeting Monday at Municipal Hall. Penticton band Chief Jonathan Kruger said the importance of the meeting wasn‘t lost on either council. “I think this is going to be a first step to start communicating,” he said. “I‘m hoping down the road that we‘ll develop a protocol similar to the City of Penticton and the Penticton Indian Band.” That agreement, signed in 2004, outlines a commitment to regional co-operation and communication over issues of joint concern. Mayor Janice Perrino echoed Kruger‘s hopes that the talks will eventually lead to a Summerland protocol agreement. “We‘re not sure what it will look like. A lot of our (council) members are new and haven‘t a clue as to what has been done to date,” she said. “We want to work together, so we‘re hoping a protocol agreement can come to fruition at some point.”
Perrino described Monday‘s session as similar to having friends that you don‘t really know that well, over for dinner. “With Jonathan being the new chief, it‘s just so important for our communities to know what each other is doing and have an understanding,” she said.
The Penticton Indian Band has voiced recent concerns over the proposed Summerland Hills Golf Resort. Kruger noted the band is continuing talks with the provincial government over the use of Crown lands for the development. “I think we‘re at the next stage now, where we‘re going to have to talk to the proponents and the (municipal) government here,” he said. “It‘s something that we‘re learning as we go along, and so I see us talking more in the future about it.” Approximately half of the proposed 417-hectare golf resort would be on Crown land and the other half would include 120 hectares of municipal land plus land owned by the developers. Summerland council last year extended the deadline for the resort developers to purchase the municipal-owned lands until Dec. 31, 2009. Monday‘s meeting had no scheduled agenda and no minutes were taken. Some band council members were unable to attend due to personal matters or other commitments.
SUMMERLAND -- It may have been an informal “get to know you” session, but it was definitely a first. For the first time in their 100-plus year history as neighbours, members of Summerland council and the Penticton Indian Band council held a joint meeting Monday at Municipal Hall. Penticton band Chief Jonathan Kruger said the importance of the meeting wasn‘t lost on either council. “I think this is going to be a first step to start communicating,” he said. “I‘m hoping down the road that we‘ll develop a protocol similar to the City of Penticton and the Penticton Indian Band.” That agreement, signed in 2004, outlines a commitment to regional co-operation and communication over issues of joint concern. Mayor Janice Perrino echoed Kruger‘s hopes that the talks will eventually lead to a Summerland protocol agreement. “We‘re not sure what it will look like. A lot of our (council) members are new and haven‘t a clue as to what has been done to date,” she said. “We want to work together, so we‘re hoping a protocol agreement can come to fruition at some point.”
Perrino described Monday‘s session as similar to having friends that you don‘t really know that well, over for dinner. “With Jonathan being the new chief, it‘s just so important for our communities to know what each other is doing and have an understanding,” she said.
The Penticton Indian Band has voiced recent concerns over the proposed Summerland Hills Golf Resort. Kruger noted the band is continuing talks with the provincial government over the use of Crown lands for the development. “I think we‘re at the next stage now, where we‘re going to have to talk to the proponents and the (municipal) government here,” he said. “It‘s something that we‘re learning as we go along, and so I see us talking more in the future about it.” Approximately half of the proposed 417-hectare golf resort would be on Crown land and the other half would include 120 hectares of municipal land plus land owned by the developers. Summerland council last year extended the deadline for the resort developers to purchase the municipal-owned lands until Dec. 31, 2009. Monday‘s meeting had no scheduled agenda and no minutes were taken. Some band council members were unable to attend due to personal matters or other commitments.
Monday, June 01, 2009
Border protest planned
Don Plant 2009-06-01 Kelowna Daily Courier:
Native people are holding a demonstration at the American border today to protest tough border regulations requiring them to carry passports when they travel to and from the U.S. Starting today, B.C. travellers need either a passport, a NEXUS card or an enhanced B.C. driver‘s licence to cross into the United States. Native people from the Okanagan, the Similkameen and the Colville Confederate Tribe plan to gather on both sides of the 49th parallel south of Cawston to show their opposition to the new rules. Leaders argue the documents required at the border impose another “prohibitive, colonial-style restriction” that divides a people that used to enjoy free, fluid movement between Canada and the U.S. “We‘re what‘s known as a trans-boundary nation,” said Grand Chief Stewart Phillip, chairman of the Okanagan Nation Alliance. “Our territory extends beyond the 49th parallel. Consequently, many of our relatives live south of the 49th parellel.”
American officials are pushing for tighter security along a border they say allows terrorists easy access to the U.S. from Canada. Many still believe the fiction that some of the terrorists who attacked the World Trade Centre in 2001 travelled to New York from Canada. Until today, native people living in Canada could travel south of the border by showing a driver‘s licence or an Indian Status card, Phillips said. The changes preclude the “vast majority of our people” the ability to cross the border, he said. “In many, if not most cases, people don‘t have passports. Unfortunately, the harassment of our people moving north and south continues.”
Before the U.S.-Canada border was established in 1846, the Sylix First Nation lived in northern Washington and southern B.C., according to the Okanagan Nation Alliance. Leaders from the Alliance and Colville Confederated Tribes met in Omak, Wash., three weeks ago to discuss the passport issue and other grievances. Spiritual leaders who cross the border often face guards who seize their spiritual bundles, Stewart said. The new rules represent the latest obstacle to what should be free movement for indigenous people, he said. “The border-crossing issue has been of concern for our people for a very long time in B.C. and across Canada. In some areas (in Eastern Canada) they‘ve set aside one day a year for cross-border protests.” The Assembly of First Nations and the federal government are working on ways to enhance Indian Status cards, which would allow First Nations people to travel back and forth without a passport. Protesters aren‘t expected to cross the border at today‘s demonstration. Stewart predicts hundreds of people to show up on both sides of the line. Thousands more are affected, he said.
Native people are holding a demonstration at the American border today to protest tough border regulations requiring them to carry passports when they travel to and from the U.S. Starting today, B.C. travellers need either a passport, a NEXUS card or an enhanced B.C. driver‘s licence to cross into the United States. Native people from the Okanagan, the Similkameen and the Colville Confederate Tribe plan to gather on both sides of the 49th parallel south of Cawston to show their opposition to the new rules. Leaders argue the documents required at the border impose another “prohibitive, colonial-style restriction” that divides a people that used to enjoy free, fluid movement between Canada and the U.S. “We‘re what‘s known as a trans-boundary nation,” said Grand Chief Stewart Phillip, chairman of the Okanagan Nation Alliance. “Our territory extends beyond the 49th parallel. Consequently, many of our relatives live south of the 49th parellel.”
American officials are pushing for tighter security along a border they say allows terrorists easy access to the U.S. from Canada. Many still believe the fiction that some of the terrorists who attacked the World Trade Centre in 2001 travelled to New York from Canada. Until today, native people living in Canada could travel south of the border by showing a driver‘s licence or an Indian Status card, Phillips said. The changes preclude the “vast majority of our people” the ability to cross the border, he said. “In many, if not most cases, people don‘t have passports. Unfortunately, the harassment of our people moving north and south continues.”
Before the U.S.-Canada border was established in 1846, the Sylix First Nation lived in northern Washington and southern B.C., according to the Okanagan Nation Alliance. Leaders from the Alliance and Colville Confederated Tribes met in Omak, Wash., three weeks ago to discuss the passport issue and other grievances. Spiritual leaders who cross the border often face guards who seize their spiritual bundles, Stewart said. The new rules represent the latest obstacle to what should be free movement for indigenous people, he said. “The border-crossing issue has been of concern for our people for a very long time in B.C. and across Canada. In some areas (in Eastern Canada) they‘ve set aside one day a year for cross-border protests.” The Assembly of First Nations and the federal government are working on ways to enhance Indian Status cards, which would allow First Nations people to travel back and forth without a passport. Protesters aren‘t expected to cross the border at today‘s demonstration. Stewart predicts hundreds of people to show up on both sides of the line. Thousands more are affected, he said.
Sunday, May 31, 2009
City and band focus on channel
By Wolf Depner - Penticton Western News Published: May 26, 2009
The city will look for ways to co-operate with the Penticton Indian Band in maintaining the Okanagan River Channel. Penticton council made that decision after receiving a letter from the band, reminding the city that the maintenance of the popular tourist attraction benefits both partners and falls under a cost-sharing agreement that sees the city provide in-kind support. Coun. Mike Pearce opposed the decision, citing financial concerns. The channel draws hundreds, if not thousands of daily users during the hot summer months. Using floatation devices of all sorts, users can be seen floating down the channel during the height of the tourism season. The path running along the channel also draws thousands of users year-round.Coun. Judy Sentes pointed to heavy use during her remarks in favour of working with the band. She also reminded council that Penticton is a tourism town whose reputation depends in part on cleanliness. Coun. Dan Albas agreed. “There is money we can find,” he said.
But Pearce said he is not sure that the city can afford the band’s request. The city’s in-kind support translates into real dollars and staff time, he said, noting that the channel and the path along it are outside city limits. “We have to stop somewhere,” he said. He also suggested that if the band had concerns about maintaining the channel, it should take their complaints to Coyote Cruises. The company runs a shuttle service from the north end of the channel to designated stops along the channel.This drew critical remarks from Mayor Dan Ashton. “It (the channel) is enjoyed by all,” said Ashton, noting that the band actually owns and operates Coyote Cruises. He also suggested that working with the band on this issue would go a long way towards deepening and improving relations with the band.
Sunday, April 01, 2007
WFN to direct highway project
By J.P. Squire http://www.kelownadailycourier.ca/stories.php?id=26607
Westbank First Nation became the first Indian band in the province on Friday to accept responsibility for a large highway construction project. The WFN signed the landmark agreement with the province to manage construction of the new Campbell Road interchange on Highway 97 at the west end of the new William R. Bennett Bridge. A $13-million contract has been awarded to Emil Anderson Construction Ltd. to design and build the interchange and a third traffic lane up so-called Bridge Hill. “Westbank First Nation is significantly affected by Highway 97 projects,” said Chief Robert Louie. “We have an obligation to ensure these improvements are made with that in mind and we are very pleased to have such a prominent role in this project.” Evelyn Lube, WFN project communications officer, added: “The band is ecstatic over it, absolutely. It represents acknowledgement or recognition of their status as a government. “Highway 97 projects are going to have a huge impact on the value of Westbank First Nation land, on access to the land, on the residents of the land. It only makes sense that the government representing those people is involved in the delivery of a project like this.”
The WFN will initially lease about 1.6 hectares of band land for the interchange to the province, then turn it over to the province in exchange for an equal amount of land of equal value for the reserve, she explained. No decision has yet been made on the replacement land. The band has hired project manager Barrie LeBlond, who will act as the liaison between the band and contractor. “We‘re definitely happy to be part of this first,” commented Mike Jacobs, president and CEO of Emil Anderson Construction. “We have worked successfully with First Nations groups before: on construction of the Kincolith Connection and the widening of Lava Lake Road for the Nishka band in 2001 to 2004.” EAC will employ a minimum of 10 WFN members, 20-30 per cent of the peak workforce of 40-50. “We‘ll be going full-bore on the design starting Monday and hope to have it completely approved within a couple of months,” said Jacobs, noting 30 per cent of the design is already done. “We would hope to fast-track some of the construction as segments of the design are approved. We‘re hoping to hit the ground sometime in early May, and we‘ll be working pretty much straight through until May of 2008.” The new five-lane floating bridge is scheduled to be completed in July 2008. “One of the good tie-ins is that we are the roadways contractor for the WRB bridge group, doing all of the roadwork approaches to the floating bridge in City Park and Bridge Hill,” said Jacobs.
Most of the interchange work will be done “off-line” or away from Highway 97. Work that will disrupt highway traffic will be done at night. “Our biggest advice to traffic would be just like on the bridge: don‘t watch while you‘re driving. Focus on the road, and the construction will happen.” Open houses will be held for Casa Loma residents by the WFN as soon as the traffic impact is known. The interchange itself is “relatively standard,” but it will be somewhat different in that it will have traffic roundabouts at either end instead of traffic lights, said Jacobs. “Roundabouts are becoming more prevalent in road design in B.C. lately and seem to be working well. That‘s a little unique. The biggest challenge, of course, is we need to keep traffic flowing over the existing bridge 24-7. We‘ll do everything we can to impact the traffic as little as possible.” The interchange will also have a pedestrian/cyclist pathway to complement a sixth lane on the floating bridge specifically for them and emergency vehicles.
Westbank First Nation became the first Indian band in the province on Friday to accept responsibility for a large highway construction project. The WFN signed the landmark agreement with the province to manage construction of the new Campbell Road interchange on Highway 97 at the west end of the new William R. Bennett Bridge. A $13-million contract has been awarded to Emil Anderson Construction Ltd. to design and build the interchange and a third traffic lane up so-called Bridge Hill. “Westbank First Nation is significantly affected by Highway 97 projects,” said Chief Robert Louie. “We have an obligation to ensure these improvements are made with that in mind and we are very pleased to have such a prominent role in this project.” Evelyn Lube, WFN project communications officer, added: “The band is ecstatic over it, absolutely. It represents acknowledgement or recognition of their status as a government. “Highway 97 projects are going to have a huge impact on the value of Westbank First Nation land, on access to the land, on the residents of the land. It only makes sense that the government representing those people is involved in the delivery of a project like this.”
The WFN will initially lease about 1.6 hectares of band land for the interchange to the province, then turn it over to the province in exchange for an equal amount of land of equal value for the reserve, she explained. No decision has yet been made on the replacement land. The band has hired project manager Barrie LeBlond, who will act as the liaison between the band and contractor. “We‘re definitely happy to be part of this first,” commented Mike Jacobs, president and CEO of Emil Anderson Construction. “We have worked successfully with First Nations groups before: on construction of the Kincolith Connection and the widening of Lava Lake Road for the Nishka band in 2001 to 2004.” EAC will employ a minimum of 10 WFN members, 20-30 per cent of the peak workforce of 40-50. “We‘ll be going full-bore on the design starting Monday and hope to have it completely approved within a couple of months,” said Jacobs, noting 30 per cent of the design is already done. “We would hope to fast-track some of the construction as segments of the design are approved. We‘re hoping to hit the ground sometime in early May, and we‘ll be working pretty much straight through until May of 2008.” The new five-lane floating bridge is scheduled to be completed in July 2008. “One of the good tie-ins is that we are the roadways contractor for the WRB bridge group, doing all of the roadwork approaches to the floating bridge in City Park and Bridge Hill,” said Jacobs.
Most of the interchange work will be done “off-line” or away from Highway 97. Work that will disrupt highway traffic will be done at night. “Our biggest advice to traffic would be just like on the bridge: don‘t watch while you‘re driving. Focus on the road, and the construction will happen.” Open houses will be held for Casa Loma residents by the WFN as soon as the traffic impact is known. The interchange itself is “relatively standard,” but it will be somewhat different in that it will have traffic roundabouts at either end instead of traffic lights, said Jacobs. “Roundabouts are becoming more prevalent in road design in B.C. lately and seem to be working well. That‘s a little unique. The biggest challenge, of course, is we need to keep traffic flowing over the existing bridge 24-7. We‘ll do everything we can to impact the traffic as little as possible.” The interchange will also have a pedestrian/cyclist pathway to complement a sixth lane on the floating bridge specifically for them and emergency vehicles.
Wednesday, March 21, 2007
Majority vote demands Ottawa honour $5-billion Kelowna Accord on native issues
Bruce Cheadle, Canadian Press: Wednesday, March 21, 2007 Canada.com (full article)
Parliament has voted to resurrect a $5.1-billion program for First Nations health, education and housing but the minority Conservative government will ignore the measure. A private member's bill requiring the Canadian government to "fulfil its obligations under the Kelowna Accord," easily passed in the House of Commons by a 176-126 vote on Wednesday. But private member's bills cannot compel the government of the day to spend money, and the Conservatives insist they are charting their own course. Liberal, Bloc Quebecois and New Democrat MPs supported en masse the bill initiated by former prime minister Paul Martin. Conservatives were uniformly opposed.
Martin, who counted the Kelowna agreement as the crowning achievement of his short, two-year stint as prime minister, has called the accord "a historic opportunity" that should not be squandered. "It's wrong for the current government to turn what is essentially a moral issue into partisan gamesmanship," Martin said last week. Brian Mulroney, the former Conservative prime minister, also expressed support for the accord in a CBC program on the weekend. "We've existed for 140 years and we have this shameful situation . . . and why?" Mulroney said on the program The Next Great Prime Minister. "Very simple: we stole their land." Mulroney said he "absolutely" supports the Kelowna agreement.
Parliament has voted to resurrect a $5.1-billion program for First Nations health, education and housing but the minority Conservative government will ignore the measure. A private member's bill requiring the Canadian government to "fulfil its obligations under the Kelowna Accord," easily passed in the House of Commons by a 176-126 vote on Wednesday. But private member's bills cannot compel the government of the day to spend money, and the Conservatives insist they are charting their own course. Liberal, Bloc Quebecois and New Democrat MPs supported en masse the bill initiated by former prime minister Paul Martin. Conservatives were uniformly opposed.
Martin, who counted the Kelowna agreement as the crowning achievement of his short, two-year stint as prime minister, has called the accord "a historic opportunity" that should not be squandered. "It's wrong for the current government to turn what is essentially a moral issue into partisan gamesmanship," Martin said last week. Brian Mulroney, the former Conservative prime minister, also expressed support for the accord in a CBC program on the weekend. "We've existed for 140 years and we have this shameful situation . . . and why?" Mulroney said on the program The Next Great Prime Minister. "Very simple: we stole their land." Mulroney said he "absolutely" supports the Kelowna agreement.
Native anger will spill out, chief warns
By Mark BrettWednesday, March 21, 2007 Penticton Herald
A national uprising similar to the Oka Crisis is being predicted if the federal government continues to ignore aboriginal concerns, according to Grand Chief Stewart Phillip. The Penticton Indian Band leader made the comments Tuesday, the day after Finance Minister Jim Flaherty unveiled his new budget. “I don‘t think there is much doubt that the frustrations and tensions are increasing to the point where we can expect an outward turning of the internal violence that we witness within aboriginal communities on a daily basis,” said Stewart, who is also the president of the Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs. “We‘re moving back to the frustrations that arose and intensified in the 80‘s that led to the Oka uprising in 1990 and we‘re going to see another national outbreak of expressions of that violence.”
Stewart said the $21 million in new funding contained in the budget for aboriginal initiatives is just another slap in the face of First Nations people. “We‘re absolutely outraged that the government of Canada is touting a 9 billion surplus yet are not prepared to address the deepening poverty in aboriginal communities,” he said. “The Conservative government failed to endorse the Kelowna Accord which reflected $5.1 billion of new investments into the economic development, health, education and housing programs within aboriginal communities across the country.” Stewart added it is a deliberate refusal on the part of the Harper government to address the “disgraceful and shameful poverty” of aboriginal communities and a failure to live up to its lawful obligation on issues such as land claims. According to the grand chief, settling those outstanding claims, as highlighted in a recent report by the Senate, could go a long ways to improving the welfare of all First Nations people in Canada.
“Our population has exploded and the growing needs have far outstripped the resources to deal with the myriad of social problems that confront aboriginal people,” said Stewart. “I refer to the increase in domestic and family violence, drug-related violence, gang violence that are all part and parcel of poverty.” He added the only reason B.C. is not already experiencing violent outbreaks such as in Caledonia, Ont., is the positive rapport with the provincial government. “But we have a poisonous relationship with the Harper government that continues to worsen at every turn,” said the grand chief. “You can well imagine where we‘re going to be if Harper gets a majority government in the spring. “There are some pretty deep storm clouds on the horizon.”
A national uprising similar to the Oka Crisis is being predicted if the federal government continues to ignore aboriginal concerns, according to Grand Chief Stewart Phillip. The Penticton Indian Band leader made the comments Tuesday, the day after Finance Minister Jim Flaherty unveiled his new budget. “I don‘t think there is much doubt that the frustrations and tensions are increasing to the point where we can expect an outward turning of the internal violence that we witness within aboriginal communities on a daily basis,” said Stewart, who is also the president of the Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs. “We‘re moving back to the frustrations that arose and intensified in the 80‘s that led to the Oka uprising in 1990 and we‘re going to see another national outbreak of expressions of that violence.”
Stewart said the $21 million in new funding contained in the budget for aboriginal initiatives is just another slap in the face of First Nations people. “We‘re absolutely outraged that the government of Canada is touting a 9 billion surplus yet are not prepared to address the deepening poverty in aboriginal communities,” he said. “The Conservative government failed to endorse the Kelowna Accord which reflected $5.1 billion of new investments into the economic development, health, education and housing programs within aboriginal communities across the country.” Stewart added it is a deliberate refusal on the part of the Harper government to address the “disgraceful and shameful poverty” of aboriginal communities and a failure to live up to its lawful obligation on issues such as land claims. According to the grand chief, settling those outstanding claims, as highlighted in a recent report by the Senate, could go a long ways to improving the welfare of all First Nations people in Canada.
“Our population has exploded and the growing needs have far outstripped the resources to deal with the myriad of social problems that confront aboriginal people,” said Stewart. “I refer to the increase in domestic and family violence, drug-related violence, gang violence that are all part and parcel of poverty.” He added the only reason B.C. is not already experiencing violent outbreaks such as in Caledonia, Ont., is the positive rapport with the provincial government. “But we have a poisonous relationship with the Harper government that continues to worsen at every turn,” said the grand chief. “You can well imagine where we‘re going to be if Harper gets a majority government in the spring. “There are some pretty deep storm clouds on the horizon.”
Wednesday, February 28, 2007
Alexis Back in as Chief
(Pete McIntyre) http://www.1075kiss.com/news/headlines/The Okanagan Indian Band has re-elected its chief. Fabian Alexis received 310 votes, more than double the 127 of runner up Donna Goodwater. The 47 year old Alexis calls it a strong mandate, 'Sometimes it felt that we as a council weren't accomplishing a lot of things but I guess the community saw otherwise and therefore they showedtheir strong support for me as the chief for the Okanagan Indian Band.' Alexis has led the 17-hundred member band for two years. Six of the ten councillors were reelected along with four newcomers. 13-hundred band members were eligible to vote and turnout was around 45 percent.
Complete Election Results:
Fabian Alexis 310
Fabian Alexis 310
Donna Goodwater 127
Tim Isaac 84
Cecil Louis 25
Gary Van Stone 11
Okanagan Indian Band:
Fabian Alexis Chief
Fabian Alexis Chief
CouncillorRaymond Marchand
CouncillorBill Cohen CouncillorDiane Lovis
CouncillorJenelle Brewer CouncillorDon Louis
Councillor Judy Marchand CouncillorVern Tronson
CouncillorEmery Robins CouncillorReynold Bonneau
CouncillorTim Alexis
Tuesday, February 27, 2007
Voting Day For Okanagan First Nations
(Pete McIntyre) http://www.1075kiss.com/news/headlines/
Its election day for Okanagan Indian Band members. Five people are running for the position of chief including two year incumbent Fabian Alexis along with Donna Goodwater,Tim Isaac, Cecil Louis and Gary Van Stone. 28 people are running for the ten councillor positions. The polls are open until 8 pm Tuesday night at the Head of the Lake hall.
http://www.okib.ca/
http://www.okib.ca/senklip/election_edition2007.pdf
Above LINK has Candidate Profiles.
Its election day for Okanagan Indian Band members. Five people are running for the position of chief including two year incumbent Fabian Alexis along with Donna Goodwater,Tim Isaac, Cecil Louis and Gary Van Stone. 28 people are running for the ten councillor positions. The polls are open until 8 pm Tuesday night at the Head of the Lake hall.
http://www.okib.ca/
http://www.okib.ca/senklip/election_edition2007.pdf
Above LINK has Candidate Profiles.
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