Intergovernmental Affairs

The Intergovernmental Affairs (IGA) Office was established in the mid 1990’s to develop and support the structures and procedures of the Westbank First Nation government. The IGA office is responsible for providing administrative support to Council and other Westbank First Nation departments concerning relations with other governments (native and non-native), including negotiation support, policy development and legal strategy.  IGA maintains contacts with other First Nations across Canada and is involved with First Nation political organizations both regionally and nationally.  The office also manages the WFN Heritage Repository and Offices.

IGA provides advice, strategic planning, analysis and communications in the following areas:

• Self-Government Implementation
• Policy Development
• Law Development
• Treaty Negotiations
• Traditional Use Records
• Land Referrals
• Specific Claims
• Rights Litigation
• Forestry

Self-Government

The Westbank First Nation Self-Government Agreement was ratified by Membership on May 24, 2003. Self-government was implemented on
April 1, 2005 under the Westbank First Nation Self-government Act.

Self Government Agreement (English) [pdf] 

Self Government Agreement (French) [pdf]

WFN Constitution [pdf] 

On July 19, 2007, certain amendments to the Westbank First Nation Constitution were approved by referendum of the WFN Membership. The amendments are effective as of July 19, 2007.

Summary of Constitution [pdf]

Summary of Self Government Agreement [pdf]

Frequently Asked Questions [pdf] [Word]

WFN Self-Government Agreement Annual Report on Implementation:

Title & Rights Office

Title and Rights

The Constitution Act 1982, recognises and affirms Aboriginal treaty rights in Canada. Aboriginal rights include the right to pursue certain activities such as hunting, fishing and harvesting on the land while Aboriginal title is a right to ownership of the land. Aboriginal title and rights have evolved and been defined by the courts in more recent history. The Title and Rights Department was establised to further WFN's rights to lands, resources and jurisdiction and to advance legal and other claims with the governments of Canada and British Columbia.

Treaty Negotiations

Historically, the land was never settled properly in British Columbia and to this day, Aboriginal title encumbers Crown title. Negotiating modern day treaties is one way to settle the “land question”. In 1992, the British Columbia Treaty Commission (BCTC) was established to oversee treaty negotiations in BC. Westbank First Nation submitted a statement of intent to BCTC to enter the treaty process and this was accepted on February 2, 1994. WFN is currently in stage four of the six stage process.

Crown Land Referrals

In more recent years, the courts have provided greater clarity with respect to Aboriginal title and rights and the obligation of government to consult with and accommodate the interests of First Nations before granting rights in Crown lands where there is a prima facie case for Aboriginal title. Westbank implemented a Crown Land Referrals policy to receive and respond to applications for activities on Crown Lands with the Westbank Administrative Area that may have an impact on the Aboriginal title or rights of Westbank or Westbank Members.

Other title and rights activities include:

• monitoring and/or participating in Aboriginal title and rights legal action;
• exercising direct action of Aboriginal title and rights;
• participating at the Okanagan Nation Alliance in matters that concern the Okanagan Nation territory. Map of ONA Traditional Territory

For more information:

Raf De Guevara
Manager, Intergovernmental Affairs and Title & Rights 

T 250 769 2440
F 250 769 2036                                                                                                                                                                                 rdeguevara@wfn.ca