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Contact: Executive Assistant to Council | T 250 769 4999 | Email
The Westbank First Nation Council consists of one Chief and four Councillors. Council are elected by Membership and serve three-year terms. The current term is 2025-2028.
Council priorities are determined through strategic planning and in consideration of the Member-driven Comprehensive Community Plan.
View the 2025/2028 Council Strategic Plan
Council is held accountable through the Westbank First Nation Constitution and Council Code of Expectations. The Council Code of Expectations emphasizes the values held by Chief & Council in their governance, including:
Meeting schedules, minutes, and reports are available to Membership through the WFN Hawk Communications App and the "Meetings and General Discussion" page of smymay. Visit the WFN Member Platforms page to learn more.
OC, OBC, LL.B, Hon. Dr LL.B, Hon. Fellow (Okanagan College)
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Chief Robert Louie has spent more than 50 years advancing Indigenous self-governance and economic empowerment. As Chief of Westbank First Nation (WFN) for more than 27 years, he led the negotiation of the landmark Westbank Self-Government Agreement, setting a national precedent.
Under his leadership, WFN achieved economic self-sufficiency and sustainable growth. Beyond his community, Chief Louie has served on over 30 corporate boards and is the Chairman/Director of Peace Hills Trust, Canada’s largest Indigenous financial institution.
As Chair of the First Nations Lands Advisory Board, he has championed land governance and economic development for First Nations across Canada. He has also represented Canada at the World Indigenous Business Forum and advised institutions like UBC and the BC Achievement Foundation.
Honoured as an officer of the Order of Canada, his lifetime of service has inspired a national movement toward Indigenous equity and reconciliation. Chief Louie has demonstrated bold leadership and created lasting, transformative change.
View Full Bio Robert Louie, OC, OBC, LL.B, Hon. Dr LL.B, Hon. Fellow (Okanagan College), is the Chief (27 years) of the Westbank First Nation (which is Self-Governing), and has served on numerous Boards, Companies and Special Appointments with Government and private industry for over 30 years. He has extensive experience in real estate development and finance matters and has focused primarily on working for First Nations on land matters throughout Canada. Over the 27-year span as Chief at Westbank First Nation, Robert was President/Director for 30 plus corporations which included construction, forestry, commercial/retail, residential, recreational, and institutional. Robert is the Chairman of the First Nations Lands Advisory Board (approx. 35 years) and has been instrumental in getting First Nations into incremental self-governance. Robert is also the Chairman/Director of Peace Hills Trust, which is the largest aboriginal financial institution in Canada. Robert is a Founding Director and is a shareholder in the Public Company – Decisive Dividends (DE) on TSX Venture and a Trustee and Chairman of Apartment Plus REIT. Robert is also the owner of Kelowna West Manufacturing Home Park, real estate projects, and several other business endeavours. Robert is a former practicing lawyer who specialized in native law and was a summer Law Instructor at the University of Saskatchewan. He has received an Honorary Doctor of Laws from the Justice Institute of British Columbia. He is also a former Task Group member elected by the Chiefs in BC serving 4 years on the BC First Nations Summit Task Group and was actively involved in B.C. Treaty negotiations representing First Nations. Robert was awarded the prestigious Officer of the Order of Canada on October 5th, 2006 and on June 1st, 2019, Robert was honored with the recognition of Honorary Fellow of Okanagan College. Most recently, Robert was appointed to the Order of British Columbia on August 4th, 2025. Some of the other past numerous boards and special appointments Robert has been active in include: Director of Ecora Engineering and Resource Group Ltd; Director of DAXET Development Corporation (which is owned by T'Sou-ke Nation); Panelist judge on Bears’ Lair TV program on APTN; Indigenous advisor representing Canada on the World Indigenous Business Forum, where he networked with other leaders promoting Indigenous economic development and world trade; Board Member with the BC Achievement Foundation and also sat on the Executive Committee; Board of Governor member with UBC; President’s Advisory Council member with UBC-Okanagan; Board Director on the National Aboriginal Economic Development Board; President of First Nations Finance Authority Inc.; Board Director with All Nations Trust Co; one of a nine member Premier’s Advisory Council with the Premier of B.C.; Board Director on the Kelowna Chamber of Commerce; Board Director and founding member with the Kelowna United Native Friendship Society. Robert has been the recipient of many other awards and distinguished presentations including: Aboriginal Business Lifetime Achievement Award 2022, Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business; Lifetime B.C. Achievement Award Aboriginal Business; Distinguished Alumni Business Administration, Okanagan College; Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal; Excellence in Aboriginal Leadership from Aboriginal Financial Officers Association & Xerox Canada; Business Person of the Year, Westbank Chamber of Commerce; President’s Award, Westbank Chamber of Commerce; Recipient of Commemorative Medal for 125th Anniversary of Canada and the B.C. Academic Scholarship Award.
Robert Louie, OC, OBC, LL.B, Hon. Dr LL.B, Hon. Fellow (Okanagan College), is the Chief (27 years) of the Westbank First Nation (which is Self-Governing), and has served on numerous Boards, Companies and Special Appointments with Government and private industry for over 30 years. He has extensive experience in real estate development and finance matters and has focused primarily on working for First Nations on land matters throughout Canada. Over the 27-year span as Chief at Westbank First Nation, Robert was President/Director for 30 plus corporations which included construction, forestry, commercial/retail, residential, recreational, and institutional.
Robert is the Chairman of the First Nations Lands Advisory Board (approx. 35 years) and has been instrumental in getting First Nations into incremental self-governance. Robert is also the Chairman/Director of Peace Hills Trust, which is the largest aboriginal financial institution in Canada. Robert is a Founding Director and is a shareholder in the Public Company – Decisive Dividends (DE) on TSX Venture and a Trustee and Chairman of Apartment Plus REIT. Robert is also the owner of Kelowna West Manufacturing Home Park, real estate projects, and several other business endeavours.
Robert is a former practicing lawyer who specialized in native law and was a summer Law Instructor at the University of Saskatchewan. He has received an Honorary Doctor of Laws from the Justice Institute of British Columbia. He is also a former Task Group member elected by the Chiefs in BC serving 4 years on the BC First Nations Summit Task Group and was actively involved in B.C. Treaty negotiations representing First Nations. Robert was awarded the prestigious Officer of the Order of Canada on October 5th, 2006 and on June 1st, 2019, Robert was honored with the recognition of Honorary Fellow of Okanagan College. Most recently, Robert was appointed to the Order of British Columbia on August 4th, 2025.
Some of the other past numerous boards and special appointments Robert has been active in include: Director of Ecora Engineering and Resource Group Ltd; Director of DAXET Development Corporation (which is owned by T'Sou-ke Nation); Panelist judge on Bears’ Lair TV program on APTN; Indigenous advisor representing Canada on the World Indigenous Business Forum, where he networked with other leaders promoting Indigenous economic development and world trade; Board Member with the BC Achievement Foundation and also sat on the Executive Committee; Board of Governor member with UBC; President’s Advisory Council member with UBC-Okanagan; Board Director on the National Aboriginal Economic Development Board; President of First Nations Finance Authority Inc.; Board Director with All Nations Trust Co; one of a nine member Premier’s Advisory Council with the Premier of B.C.; Board Director on the Kelowna Chamber of Commerce; Board Director and founding member with the Kelowna United Native Friendship Society.
Robert has been the recipient of many other awards and distinguished presentations including: Aboriginal Business Lifetime Achievement Award 2022, Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business; Lifetime B.C. Achievement Award Aboriginal Business; Distinguished Alumni Business Administration, Okanagan College; Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal; Excellence in Aboriginal Leadership from Aboriginal Financial Officers Association & Xerox Canada; Business Person of the Year, Westbank Chamber of Commerce; President’s Award, Westbank Chamber of Commerce; Recipient of Commemorative Medal for 125th Anniversary of Canada and the B.C. Academic Scholarship Award.
Internal Committees:
External Committees:
Councillor Alexander is the daughter of Alfred and Marilyn Alexander, and the granddaughter of the late Laura Alexander and Dave Flett, and maternal granddaughter of Eustine Jack of the Ulkatcho Nation. Andrea’s spouse is Kyle Allen and she is a proud mother to JJ Allen and Haisley Alexander.
Councillor Alexander is the proud daughter of Alfred and Marilyn Alexander. She has one older brother Chris Alexander. She is married to Kyle Allen and a mother to JJ Allen and Haisley Alexander. Andrea grew up in the WFN community. She attended Westbank Child Development Centre, the band school, sensisyusten, Chief Tomat Elementary, Mount Boucherie Secondary School and then graduated from University of British Columbia Okanagan with a Bachelors of Arts Degree majoring Indigenous Studies. Andrea has served on Council for the past two terms and has now been elected for her third term.
Aside from her Council commitments, Andrea is also the Vice Chair of Okanagan College Board of Governors. The residential school system has had a lasting impact on our people, and created a distrust of educational institutions. As an intergenerational survivor and through her work with Okanagan College, Andrea is committed to advocating for reconciliation to create safe educational spaces for our people.
Andrea is dedicated to community building and knows that bringing our people together promotes healing. As an intergenerational survivor of residential school and an advocate for healing, she is dedicated to ensuring people feel safe and that our community is inclusive to all of our members in our community. She is grateful for the staff that continue to do the work to create a healthier and safe places for our people. She looks forward to collaborating with membership, staff and Council to support our people for a healthier community.
Council Committees:
way̓ pisnqsílxʷ. incáʔ iskʷist c̓ris. isk̓ʷuy̓ Barb Coble naʔł inlʔíw Rick Sagayadan iʔ skʷists. iłqaqcáʔ James naʔł iłsísn̓caʔ Brooks.
istm̓tímaʔ tuwi Katherine Louie iʔ skʷists naʔł inkikʷaʔ tuwi Paul Coble. intatúpaʔ tuwi lala (Martina San Pierre) naʔł tuwi Gaston Louie tl̓ n̓kmplqs.
way̓ pisnqsílxʷ. iskʷist c̓ris. isk̓ʷuy̓ iʔ skʷists Barb Coble naʔł inlʔíw Rick Sagayadan iʔ skʷists. inn̓axʷnəxʷ Chelsea iʔ skʷists. istm̓tm̓kʔíl̓t Keyara, Hadley naʔł Nyelle iʔ skʷistsəlx iłqaqcáʔ James naʔł iłsísn̓caʔ Brooks.
istm̓tímaʔ twi Katherine Louie iʔ skʷists naʔł inkikʷaʔ twi Paul Coble. inqaqna Adoration (Dory) Grignard naʔɬ isəx̌axpaʔ twi Bill Sagayadan. intatúpaʔ twi lala (Martina San Pierre) naʔł twi Gaston Louie tl̓ n̓kmplqs. inqʷupsa twi umtusúlaʔxʷ. Jordan comes from a strong family line of hard working, determined, community first people. He is a change maker who takes pride in taking guidance from and working with elders and community members in order to create a healthier path for our children and future generations. He was given the name c̓ris in recognition of his willingness to go where others are too afraid to venture and continues to explore these teachings.
Jordan believes in the power of the n̓syilxcn language and knowledge as the source of understanding of his responsibilities. He leads with kindness, balancing humility and strength. He is well educated, experienced and well-versed in the world of governance at all levels but values leadership over politics. He loves his family, his people, the land, water, plants and animals and strives to make his ancestors and children proud through his dedication to the well-being and respect for all walks of life. Way̓ limləm̓t
Councillor De Guevara is a returning Councillor with 14 years of prior Council experience.
Mike currently serves as the Chair of WFN’s Chief Black Bear/Governance Committee and Co-Chair of WFN’s Chief Spring Salmon/Economy Committee. Mike is also proud to represent WFN on the RDCO Board and the Okanagan Regional Library Board.
View Full Bio Mike is a proud member of WFN. With 14 years of council experience and an MBA, Mike brings energy and experience to the Council table. Mike and his wife Tara have four children together – Dustin, Reba, Christopher, and Kiona, as well as four horses. As a long-standing council member, Mike has been a hands-on leader in delivering the things that matter most: assertion of Title and Rights, safer community, thriving local businesses, and listening. Known for being approachable, action-oriented, and deeply rooted in the community, Mike has never shied away from tough decisions or hard work and looks forward to continuing to build a vibrant and healthy community. Mike currently serves as the Chair of WFN’s Chief Black Bear/Governance Committee and Co-Chair of WFN’s Chief Spring Salmon/Economy Committee. Mike also represents WFN on numerous boards and committees with the Okanagan Nation Alliance and Ntityix Development Corporation. Mike brings the skills and vision to continue building a future rooted in syilx values – where our people are thriving, our culture is protected, and our Nation is in control of its own destiny. Limlemt / Thank you Senklip / Mike De Guevara
Mike is a proud member of WFN. With 14 years of council experience and an MBA, Mike brings energy and experience to the Council table. Mike and his wife Tara have four children together – Dustin, Reba, Christopher, and Kiona, as well as four horses.
As a long-standing council member, Mike has been a hands-on leader in delivering the things that matter most: assertion of Title and Rights, safer community, thriving local businesses, and listening. Known for being approachable, action-oriented, and deeply rooted in the community, Mike has never shied away from tough decisions or hard work and looks forward to continuing to build a vibrant and healthy community.
Mike currently serves as the Chair of WFN’s Chief Black Bear/Governance Committee and Co-Chair of WFN’s Chief Spring Salmon/Economy Committee. Mike also represents WFN on numerous boards and committees with the Okanagan Nation Alliance and Ntityix Development Corporation.
Mike brings the skills and vision to continue building a future rooted in syilx values – where our people are thriving, our culture is protected, and our Nation is in control of its own destiny.
Limlemt / Thank you
Senklip / Mike De Guevara
IIʔ skʷist. Iʔ suma skʷist Sara Tronson. Iʔ mistum Harvey Tronson. Iʔ tum Judy Sylte. Iʔ sx̌ax̌paʔ twi Tom Tronson. Iʔ qa̓qnaʔ twi Edith McDougal. Iʔ st̓əmkʔilt snt’aqxan suma skʷist McKinley.
Sara grew up and lives in Westbank and is an active, involved and energetic member of the WFN community. She comes from an honest, hard-working family.
Sara has a Bachelor of Business Administration with a Human Resources Management Specialty from Okanagan College, along with 10 years of previous work experience at Westbank First Nation. In that time, she moved up into the different positions, including: After School Care Worker, Youth Leader, Administrative Support, and finally the Human Resource Coordinator position for 3 years. Sara has been working at the En’owkin Centre in Penticton for just over a year and has recently completed her certificate in the Nsyilxcen Language Fluency program. She will be working towards completing that degree. As a child, Sara attended the WFN community daycare and Sensisyusten. Her daughter is currently attending Sensisyusten as well.
In her spare time, Sara enjoys being involved in sports; snowboarding is her favourite winter activity. She was previously an athlete on WFNs high performance snowboard team and attended the snowboard cross nationals at Big White in 2014. Sara also enjoy playing softball, and regularly plays in the Native Canadian Softball Championships and runs a community slo-pitch team. Leading a healthy and active lifestyle is important to Sara and is something she would encourage for all WFN members.