Aboriginal Affairs
UPDATE: First Nations woman confronts Justice Minister at Vernon luncheon
VERNON – An angry and upset First Nations woman used a Chamber of Commerce luncheon…
Why First Nations chiefs and councillors can’t be compared to city councils
PENTICTON - The Chief of a local First Nations band says he wants to see more respect throughout the province and the country for the roles band chiefs and councillors play. New federal laws requiring First Nations to release audited financial statements publicly has brought numerous comparisons between First Nations chiefs and councillors to city...
Okanagan Indian Band embraces Lake Country mayor’s support for land claim
VERNON - Lake Country Mayor James Baker appears to have thrown his support behind the Okanagan Indian Band’s land claim to the Commonage Reserve including the portion which includes the CP Rail line intended for the Okanagan Rail Trail, and the band intends to hold him to his words. Chief Byron Louis says he welcomes...
Native court workers protest for equal pay
OKANAGAN - Native court workers are standing up against the government asking for equal pay after being cut out of a deal five years ago that increased the wages of others but not court workers. Jack Kruger, a veteran native court worker and counsellor, has spent the past two days outside the Penticton and Kelowna...
Who let the fish out? Penticton Indian Band opens hatchery
PENTICTON - The new sockeye salmon hatchery on the Okanagan River is a First Nations and salmon success story according to the Penticton Indian Band chief. The Penticton Indian Band held a ceremony for the grand opening of the hatchery Sunday. The Band has had a very successful salmon program for over a decade, and...
Local bands miss deadline, given extra leeway
THOMPSON-OKANAGAN – Four bands neighbouring Kamloops have missed the federal government’s deadline for financial statement submissions and could face a block on funding if the numbers aren't submitted this winter. Three weeks have passed since the cut-off date for bands to submit audited financial documents as part of the First Nation Financial Transparency Act. In...