PRESS RELEASE: Okanagan Indian Band Receives Generous Donations from Habitat for Humanity Okanagan, Community Foundation of the North Okanagan and Central Okanagan Foundation and kiʔláwnaʔ Stamiya Two Spirit Powwow

At the Beginning of August 2026, the Wildfire known at the Bradley Creek Wildfire spread throughout Okanagan Indian Band (OKIB) Indian Reserve #1 Lands at an alarming pace, with many households having very little time to prepare or pack before evacuating. As a result, the Bradley Creek wildfire has left lasting impacts on our community and land which will be felt for years to come.

While the wildfire has now been contained, and emergency response has wound down, the task of recovery at OKIB is now underway. In response to the Bradley Creek Wildfire which heavily impacted OKIB Lands, many local community organizations and individuals such as Habitat for Humanity Okanagan and the Community Foundation of the North Okanagan, and Central Okanagan Foundation have stepped up.

We would like to thank Residents of Predator Ridge for their generous donation of $1550. Residents and Volunteers were able to raise these funds through one of their monthly bottle drives. Habitat for Humanity was able match the $1550 donation from Predator Ridge residents for a total of $3100.

We would also like to thank the Community Foundation of the North Okanagan and the Central Okanagan Foundation who have come together for their generous donation of $10,000 from each organization. OKIB is grateful for the partnership of both of these organizations, and these funds will help support our community when it is needed most.

Lastly, we’d like to thank Dustyn Baulkham and the kiʔláwnaʔ Stamiya Two Spirit Powwow for their generous donation of $893.15. The Powwow was able to raise these funds from their event, Thank you for your support.

These donations will help go towards supporting households impacted by the Bradley Creek Wildfire as OKIB moves into recovery and rebuilding. “It is good to know we have such good neighbours” Chief Dan remarked when notified about the support OKIB received.

These organizations are not the only ones to offer their services and support in these difficult times, many individuals and organizations not mentioned here have also stepped up to lend a hand. To the Okanagan community in general, we would like to thank you for your support and generosity in this time of need.

Your generous donations and support can and do make a difference.

Limlemt / Thank You,

Okanagan Indian Band

Photo: Okanagan Indian Band Chief and Council members and community members with Habitat for Humanity Okanagan CEO, Lenetta Parry; Revenue Development Lead, Heather Hild; Director of Finance, Donnie Knox; and Habitat Okanagan Board member, Glory Westwell.

Photo: Okanagan Indian Band Chief and Council members with Paula Mendes, Manager of Community Investment & Philanthropy, Central Okanagan Foundation, Simon Adams, CEO, Central Okanagan Foundation, Leanne Hammond, Executive Director, Community Foundation of the South Okanagan Similkameen, Dustyn Baulkham Board Chair of Central Okanagan Foundation.