Okanagan Indian Band facts for kids
The Okanagan Indian Band (Okanagan: N̓k̓maplqs) is a First Nations government located in British Columbia, Canada. It is found near the city of Vernon in the northern Okanagan Valley. This band is an important member of the Okanagan Nation Alliance, working together with other Okanagan communities.
The Okanagan Indian Band has a leader called a Chief, who is currently Byron Louis. They also have a council of governors who help make decisions for the community.
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Who Lives Here?
As of October 2010, the Okanagan Indian Band had a total population of 1,795 people. Many of these people, about 809, live on the band's own special lands, called reserves. Some others live on reserves managed by different bands, and about 900 people live off-reserve in other areas.
Okanagan Indian Reserves
The Okanagan Indian Band manages several important land areas known as Indian Reserves. These lands are home to many band members and are part of their traditional territory.
- Duck Lake Indian Reserve No. 7: This reserve is on the north side of Ellison Lake and along Vernon Creek. It covers about 179 hectares.
- Harris Indian Reserve No. 3: Located two miles southeast of Otter Lake, this reserve is about 64.80 hectares in size.
- Okanagan Indian Reserve No. 1: This is a large reserve in the Okanagan Valley, found between Okanagan Lake and the Salmon River. It spans about 10,302 hectares.
- Otter Lake Indian Reserve No. 2: You can find this reserve at the south end of Otter Lake, about nine miles north of Vernon. It is 25 hectares.
- Priest's Valley Indian Reserve No. 6: This reserve is on Vernon Creek where it meets the east side of Okanagan Lake, southwest of Vernon. It covers 33.60 hectares.
- Swan Lake Indian Reserve No. 4: Located on the north shore of Swan Lake, this reserve is 32.20 hectares.
Land Cleanup Efforts
For many years, some areas of the Okanagan Indian Band's land, like around Madeline Lake and Goose Lake, had dangerous items left over from old military training exercises. These items, like old practice bombs and other materials, were from as far back as the Boer War in 1906.
In 2014, some of these old items were discovered. To make the land safe again, an agreement was made to clean up these areas. Starting in 2015, ten members of the band were trained to become special technicians who could safely find and remove these old military items. This helps protect the land and everyone who lives there.
Recent Community Actions
The Okanagan Indian Band has taken action on important issues affecting their community and land.
In February 2010, the band started a peaceful protest by blocking access to the Browns Creek watershed. This was to show their concern about logging activities by a company called Tolko Industries Ltd.. The protest was supported by the Union of British Columbia Indian Chiefs.
In 2014, the Okanagan Indian Band also asked for the old Kelowna Pacific Railway line to be returned to the band.
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