Occupation of Penticton Indian Band office ends

PENTICTON – A group of disenfranchised members of the Penticton Indian Band have ceased their occupation of the band’s administrative offices.

In a media release protest spokesperson Dolly Kruger said band council and chief sat down with the concerned members occupying the building and have responded to their list of concerns and demands, assuring them a forensic audit would take place.

Kruger said Chief Chad Eneas refused to give the group a few days to review councillor’s response with other band members who asked the group to stage the occupation.

The group has expressed concerns surrounding finances and communication with respect to the band’s present chief and council for the better part of a year now.

They began their occupation of the band’s administrative office three days ago.

The occupancy ended around 10 a.m. yesterday, Aug. 2, Kruger said, adding this should ensure the payment of wages to all band employees resumes.


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Steve Arstad

Steve Arstad

I have been looking for news in the South Okanagan - SImilkameen for 20 years, having turned a part time lifelong interest into a full time profession. After five years publishing a local newsletter, several years working as a correspondent / stringer for several local newspapers and seven years as editor of a Similkameen weekly newspaper, I joined iNFOnews.ca in 2014. My goal in the news industry has always been to deliver accurate and interesting articles about local people and places. My interest in the profession is life long - from my earliest memories of grade school, I have enjoyed writing.
As an airborne geophysical surveyor I travelled extensively around the globe, conducting helicopter borne mineral surveys.
I also spent several years at an Okanagan Falls based lumber mill, producing glued-wood laminated products.
As a member of the Kaleden community, I have been involved in the Kaleden Volunteer Fire Department for 22 years, and also serve as a trustee on the Kaleden Irrigation District board.
I am currently married to my wife Judy, of 26 years. We are empty-nesters who enjoy living in Kaleden with our Welsh Terrier, Angus, and cat, Tibbs.
Our two daughters, Meagan and Hayley, reside in Richmond and Victoria, respectively.

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