History
Territory | Culture
| Land | Indian
Act
The Okanagan Indian Band is part of the Okanagan Nation,
which is comprised of 7 Indian Bands, including; Lower Similkameen
Indian Band, Upper Similkameen Indian Band, Osoyoos Indian
Band, Penticton Indian Band, Westbank First Nation, Upper
Nicola Indian Band and the Okanagan Indian Band. The Okanagan Indian Band is located at the head of Okanagan
Lake in Vernon, BC, and totals 11,282 hectares. There are
currently about 1688 Okanagan Indian Band members. Approximately
half of our members reside on reserve while the other half
resides off reserve. The Okanagan Indian Band offers a variety
of services and facilities including health care, social services,
and early childhood education to name a few. For more information about services the Okanagan Indian Band
offers, use the menu at left to view the site.
Goals
- to increase Aboriginal voice
- to promote knowledge of Aboriginal language,
culture, and history for all
- to ensure effective use of resources
Okanagan Nation Declaration:
We, the Okanagan Nation make this declaration
Today as a sign for every generation to come. Therefore, we
herby declare that :
- We are the unconquered aboriginal peoples
of this land, our mother;
- The creator has given us our mother, to
enjoy, to manage and to protect;
- We, the first inhabitants, have lived with
our mother from time immemorial;
- Our Okanagan Governments have allowed us
to share equally in the resources of our mother.
- We have never given up our rights to our
mother, our mother's resources, our governments and our
religion;
- We will survive and continue to govern our
mother and her resources for the good of all for all time.
The Okanagan Nation Alliance Mandate is
as follows:
- Advancement, assertion, support and preservation
of the Aboriginal Rights of the Okanagan Nation.
- Promotion, advancement and support of all
land claims initiatives undertaken by Member Bands of the
Okanagan Nation, as identified by the Okanagan Nation Declaration
of August 22, 1987.
- Protection, enhancement and preservation
of the peoples, lands and resources of the Member Bands
of the Okanagan Nation.
- Protection, enhancement and preservation
of the environment, fish and wildlife resources located
within the traditional territories of the Okanagan Nation.
- Promotion, enhancement and preservation of
the Okanagan Native history, language and culture.
- To collectively undertake and resolve governmental
policy issues that may have an overall adverse effect on
Member Bands and individuals.
- Promote and create a public awareness of
the Okanagan Nation Alliance concerns, position and accomplishments
in the areas of political, social, economic and cultural
development.
Subject to a consensus of opinion
of the Member Bands of the Okanagan Nation Alliance, the above-noted
mandate may be updated, revised and appended, as the need
arises. |
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