Kelowna's mayor wants clarification on the wording of parts of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Westbank First Nation. Sharon Shepherd says it is not the wording itself she has a problem with, but instead, the need for one particular paragraph in an understanding between neighbouring municipal governments.
The paragraph in question states:
A significant portion of Westbank First Nation lands are contiguous with the City of Kelowna, and the City of Kelowna is contained within these lands claimed by Westbank First Nation as its traditional territory and as Westbank First Nation "Caretaker Lands"
The MOU is identical to one signed by the WFN and District of West Kelowna back on May 3.
The document was presented to the city by the WFN for consideration. It came before council on Monday and Shepherd asked that a workshop be organized between the city and WFN to clarify exactly what the wording means. Shepherd says the phrase "Caretaker Lands" is particularly confusing to her. "I have never seen that used. I am not sure what that means and maybe that is part of the discussion we will have if we do have this workshop," says Shepherd. "Is it they recognize they were the first people in the area and they believe in looking after the lands? I'm not sure. I've never seen that wording." Since land claims is a relationship between the band and senior levels of government, Shepherd says she isn't sure whether the paragraph needs to be included in this particular MOU. No date has been set for the workshop.
The paragraph in question states:
A significant portion of Westbank First Nation lands are contiguous with the City of Kelowna, and the City of Kelowna is contained within these lands claimed by Westbank First Nation as its traditional territory and as Westbank First Nation "Caretaker Lands"
The MOU is identical to one signed by the WFN and District of West Kelowna back on May 3.
The document was presented to the city by the WFN for consideration. It came before council on Monday and Shepherd asked that a workshop be organized between the city and WFN to clarify exactly what the wording means. Shepherd says the phrase "Caretaker Lands" is particularly confusing to her. "I have never seen that used. I am not sure what that means and maybe that is part of the discussion we will have if we do have this workshop," says Shepherd. "Is it they recognize they were the first people in the area and they believe in looking after the lands? I'm not sure. I've never seen that wording." Since land claims is a relationship between the band and senior levels of government, Shepherd says she isn't sure whether the paragraph needs to be included in this particular MOU. No date has been set for the workshop.
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