Westbank First Nation Government provides services for approximately 9000 residents living on WFN lands, 8500 of whom are non-Band members. The Government is comprised of a Chief and Council who are elected by WFN Members. Non-member residents are represented by an Advisory Council who is elected by residents from each of five residential districts. These districts are on IR (Indian Reserve) 9 and IR 10, to the west of the City of Kelowna and surrounded by the District of West Kelowna. The five member Advisory Council has been in place since April 1, 2005 and provides a mechanism through which non-Member residents or those having an interest in Westbank lands can have input into proposed Westbank Law and proposed amendments to Westbank laws that directly and significantly affect them. As dictated by the WFN Advisory Council Law, elections for the Advisory Council are held every three years. The next election will be held in August of 2011.
The Advisory Council meets monthly and as required. They also host an Annual General Meeting that every resident is urged to attend.
Westbank First Nation Government is one of the most progressive First Nation governments in Canada with a comprehensive set of laws that cover topics such as land use, zoning and animal control. It provides local government services that mirror municipal services for its residents, including law enforcement, snow removal, recreation, utilities and public works. The Westbank Lindley Building at 515 Highway 97 South houses administration for engineering, planning, economic development, maintenance services and finance.
Westbank is a desirable location to live and do business with a golf course, shopping centres, banks, theatres and schools and access to beaches, hiking trails, nearby skiing and so much more. WFN is also the first First Nation in Canada to have an Economic Development Commission whose vision is "...to be a healthy and business oriented community that is economically self-sufficient."
WFN's Government building is at 515 Highway 97 South. Services they provide are pet licensing, property transfers, property tax payment and ticket payment, to name a few.
Frequently Asked Questions How are my property taxes reviewed and approved? Property tax expenditures and tax rates are analyzed and reviewed in detail by WFN Financial Services staff and the Advisory Council. Final budget and rates are supported by a motion of the Advisory Council to WFN Council. Draft bylaws are then forwarded to the First Nation Tax Commission (FNTC) for their review. Rates must be equitable and comparable to their neighbours. How are my property taxes accessed? Taxes are assessed by BC Assessment Authority and are comparable to surrounding Okanagan properties. BC Assessment Aurhority uses the guidelines set out in the Westbank First Nation Property Assessment Law. Properties are assessed at actual value as of July 1st Do I qualify for a Homeowner's Grant? What services are available to residents? WFN offers its community children the opportunity to attend sensisyusten House of Learning, a school designed after a traditional pit-house that lends itself to interactive learning in a warm and nurturing environment. As well, there are other elementary schools, a middle school and a highschool nearby. WFN manages Pine Acres home, an intermediate care facility that provides quality care for community elders, both Native and non-Native. WFN provides joint venture services with the District of West Kelowna, the City of Kelowna, Regional District of Central Okanagan and the Okanagan Regional Library for a public library, Johnson Bentley Pool, Mount Boucherie Arena, Westside Senior's Centre, fire protection and emergency services, Crime Stoppers and Victim Police Services. Public transportation is provided by Kelowna Regional Transit Service, which has conventional transit services and Handy Dart service to and from Westbank to Peachland and Lake Country. Law enforcement is provided by two Law Enforcement Officers (LEOs) who work closely with three dedicated RCMP First Nation Policing Officers assigned solely to Westbank First Nation Lands. Shopping and amenities include shopping centres, movie theatres, hotels, numerous restaurants, doctors and lawyers and so forth. Westbank First Nation residents can enjoy nearby skiing, hiking, swimming, boating, mountain biking and many other sporting amenities. With the City of Kelowna within 15 minutes driving time, there are many more amenities such as the H20 Water Park, theatres and night clubs. What does leasing WFN land entail? A WFN Member will lease land to an individual or developer who in turn may sublease the land to a resident. These leases are usually for 99 years. Some developments on WFN land are on community owned land, not land owned by a Band Member. When you buy property on WFN land, you are in effect leasing the land for a set term. All purchse/lease transactions are registered with WFN Land Registry and with the Federal Government. What benefits are there to people purchasing/leasing WFN property? WFN non-Member residents are able to handle all property transfer transactions at the Lindley Building and so not need to go to Kamloops. In addition, they do not pay a property transfer tax. What are my rights as a mobile home renter /owner? Mobile Home and Manufactured Home parks are included in the Residential Premises Law and residents within parks must abide by those and all other WFN laws. Rent increases are controlled by the Residential Premises Law. Most mobile and manufactured home parks have rules which will vary from park to park. Where do I go if there is a dispute between my landlord and I? The Westbank First Nation Residential Premises Law governs relationships between landlords and tenants on WFN lands. It deals with a variety of issues including tenancy agreements; security deposits; rent increases; repairs and maintenance; ending tenancy. You can find more information in our Residential Premises Law department.
Property tax expenditures and tax rates are analyzed and reviewed in detail by WFN Financial Services staff and the Advisory Council. Final budget and rates are supported by a motion of the Advisory Council to WFN Council. Draft bylaws are then forwarded to the First Nation Tax Commission (FNTC) for their review. Rates must be equitable and comparable to their neighbours.
Taxes are assessed by BC Assessment Authority and are comparable to surrounding Okanagan properties. BC Assessment Aurhority uses the guidelines set out in the Westbank First Nation Property Assessment Law. Properties are assessed at actual value as of July 1st
WFN offers its community children the opportunity to attend sensisyusten House of Learning, a school designed after a traditional pit-house that lends itself to interactive learning in a warm and nurturing environment. As well, there are other elementary schools, a middle school and a highschool nearby.
WFN manages Pine Acres home, an intermediate care facility that provides quality care for community elders, both Native and non-Native.
WFN provides joint venture services with the District of West Kelowna, the City of Kelowna, Regional District of Central Okanagan and the Okanagan Regional Library for a public library, Johnson Bentley Pool, Mount Boucherie Arena, Westside Senior's Centre, fire protection and emergency services, Crime Stoppers and Victim Police Services.
Public transportation is provided by Kelowna Regional Transit Service, which has conventional transit services and Handy Dart service to and from Westbank to Peachland and Lake Country.
Law enforcement is provided by two Law Enforcement Officers (LEOs) who work closely with three dedicated RCMP First Nation Policing Officers assigned solely to Westbank First Nation Lands.
Shopping and amenities include shopping centres, movie theatres, hotels, numerous restaurants, doctors and lawyers and so forth.
Westbank First Nation residents can enjoy nearby skiing, hiking, swimming, boating, mountain biking and many other sporting amenities. With the City of Kelowna within 15 minutes driving time, there are many more amenities such as the H20 Water Park, theatres and night clubs.
A WFN Member will lease land to an individual or developer who in turn may sublease the land to a resident. These leases are usually for 99 years. Some developments on WFN land are on community owned land, not land owned by a Band Member. When you buy property on WFN land, you are in effect leasing the land for a set term. All purchse/lease transactions are registered with WFN Land Registry and with the Federal Government.
WFN non-Member residents are able to handle all property transfer transactions at the Lindley Building and so not need to go to Kamloops. In addition, they do not pay a property transfer tax.
Mobile Home and Manufactured Home parks are included in the Residential Premises Law and residents within parks must abide by those and all other WFN laws. Rent increases are controlled by the Residential Premises Law. Most mobile and manufactured home parks have rules which will vary from park to park.