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WFN has a growing community of both Member and non-Member residents. To meet the needs of our growing population, WFN operates numerous facilities, including of our own daycare & school, and offers a variety of programs & services to all residents.
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Westbank First Nation is located in south central British Columbia, Canada.
WFN is one of eight communities that comprise the Okanagan Nation. Additional communities include:
Upper Nicola Band
Okanagan Indian Band
Penticton Indian Band
Osoyoos Indian Band
Lower Similkameen Indian Band
Upper Similkameen Indian Band
Colville Confederated Tribes
The traditional territory of the syilx people is roughly 69,000km2 and is unceded, meaning it was never traded or sold.
Learn more by visiting Sncewips or viewing the Okanagan Nation Alliance website.
Westbank First Nation has five reserves totaling approximately 5,340 acres.
Approximately 40% of WFN lands are developed and fully serviced with cable, water, sewer and other utilities. WFN is committed to working with community to continue developing existing lands and acquiring new land that meet the current and future needs of our community.
WFN has implemented one of the most comprehensive sets of community laws in Canada that cover the development and regulation of reserve lands. All persons residing or conducting business on reserve are subject to WFN Laws.
Since time immemorial, sqilxʷ (Okanagan people) have been self-sufficient and self-governing. Communities were semi-nomadic, moving with the seasons, and following a 13-moon calendar. Each new moon marked a new resource.
The sqilxʷ had a productive and organized economy with regulated resource management practices. Responsibilities were divided amongst community members, highlighting the importance of every member. This is further depicted by Fly in the captikʷɬ, How Food Was Given.
Every member of the community contributed, whether it be through hunting, fishing, harvesting, storytelling, or knowledge holding & sharing. Communities worked together to create and uphold responsibility to the water, land, animals, and all living things, including relationships with neighbouring communities and Nations.
Each community within the Okanagan Nation had an elected Chief whom was responsible for representing them. Charlie Sookinchute was the first recorded Chief for Westbank.
In 1876, the Indian Act was enacted to forcibly dismantle the traditional government and social structures of Indigenous peoples across Canada.
In the late 1800s and early 1900s, commissioners traveled the length and breadth of the province to establish reservations. Reservations in British Columbia were determined by the Crown through joint federal and provincial reserve commissions.
Within the central Okanagan, commissioners created one reserve at Mission Creek and two on the west side of Okanagan Lake. These lands were subsequently reduced in size by future reserve commissions.
WFN was initially part of the Okanagan Indian Band located near Vernon, BC.
In the early 1960s, there were approximately 170 band members residing in Westbank and the general feeling was that their concerns and interests were not being addressed. They had only one member with a seat on council so there was limited impact and influence on the decisions made.
A committee of Westbank members, including Norman Lindley, Ted Derrickson, Margaret Derrickson, Mary Anne Eli, Francis Swite and Bert Wilson, was struck to begin process of separation from the Okanagan Indian Band.
On October 18th, 1963, the division became official and Westbank Indian Band was deemed an independent band. Westbank’s lands were designated Tsinstikeptum Indian Reserve Numbers 9 and 10, and Mission Creek Indian Reserve Number 8. Norman Lindley was the first elected Chief for Westbank along with Councillors Margaret Derrickson and Harry Derrickson.
In 1973 consultants were hired to develop a land use plan which was subsequently updated in 1978. The objective of the plan was to establish a land use policy framework and provide a process which would serve as a guide to the band council, locatees, and developers. A series of by-laws were enacted by Council to create a framework of law and ensure consistency.
On January 14, 1974, Westbank First Nation members voted in favour of surrendering 177.3 acres of IR #10 reserve lands for a 99-year lease for the Lakeridge Park residential development. In the same year, the Indian Affairs office in Vernon, BC was closed down after members from surrounding Indian Bands demanded that dollars from Indian Affairs be utilized by bands to administer their own programs.
Westbank began exploring options for self-government in the 1970s and the 1980s saw Westbank assuming delegated land management powers from Canada.
A band subdivision was developed on IR #9 in 1981 complete with paved roads, hydro, telephone, gas and cable. A 66,000 imperial gallon reservoir provided water. By March 31, 1982, twenty-four new homes were built. By 1986 the number of band member housing units had grown to 84 from 26 in 1972. The band member population was now up to 255 with 198 residing on reserve.
In 1982, a major specific land claim was settled for lands that were taken away from our reserves in the early 1900s. Negotiations with Canada and British Columbia were also finalized to offset reserve lands that were taken for the widening of Highway 97. Monies from this settlement were used to purchase two parcels of land in 1984 in the Gallagher Canyon area approximately 25 kilometers east of Kelowna. These parcels were granted reserve status in 2001, and are now known as Medicine Hill Indian Reserve no. 11 and Medicine Creek Indian Reserve no. 12.
Construction of a three-storey office building at the corner of Highway 97 and Westside Road commenced in May 1985 and was completed in December. The first and second floors were leased out to other companies and Westbank occupied the third floor. Today, WFN occupies the entire building.
2007
2020
In 1986 the Band was awarded a woodlot covering 981 acres on the east side of Kelowna. Subsequent confrontations, legal battles, and negotiations with the Province over forestry issues resulted in an Interim Measures Agreement on forestry on September 23, 2002. WFN entered into a five year Community Forest Pilot Agreement in August of 2004 with the British Columbia Ministry of Forests providing Westbank with a license to harvest an annual allowable cut of 55,000 cubic metres per year.
WFN now has a timber license that allows for an annual cut of 100,000 cubic metres across 150,000 acres of WFN's traditional territory. Through this license, known as the Community Forest License, WFN is able to create skills, training, and job opportunities for its community.
WFN's Community Forest License is managed under Ntityix Resources through the Forest Stewardship (7 Generations) Plan. Learn more about Ntityix Development Corporation and Ntityix Resources.
During the years 1986 and 1987, dissension within the Westbank Indian Band resulted in the Hall Inquiry. Mr. John Hall was appointed as commissioner for public hearings that took place concerning governance matters at Westbank. From the Hall Inquiry came recommendations that Westbank look at governance changes to strengthen its authority and provide certainty, clear jurisdiction, and accountability.
1970s/80s: Westbank beings exploring options for self-government. Westbank assumes delegated land management powers from Canada.
1990: Westbank enters into a Framework Agreement to initiate negotiation of community-based self-government.
1995: The BC Treaty Commission declares Westbank, Canada, and BC ready to commence treaty negotiations.
1996: Westbank is one of 14 signatories on the First Nation Land Management Framework Agreement. This process happened alongside the self-government process and ultimately resulted in the First Nations Land Management Act (1999).
2000: After a decade of negotiations and community consultation, Westbank and Canada initial the Self-Government Agreement. A referendum is held within Westbank to ratify the Self-Government Agreement. 60% of voting Members voted in favour of the agreement, failing to reach Canada's absolute majority requirement.
2002: A second referendum is held, 69% of voting Members voted in favour, once again failing to meet the absolute majority requirement.
2003: Voting requirements are changed to majority of a majority. A third referendum is held and voting Members vote in favour of the WFN Self-Government Agreement, WFN Constitution, and WFN Land Code.
2004: The Westbank First Nation Self-Government Act receives Royal Assent in Ottawa, becoming law. On April 1st, 2005 the Act comes into force.
View the Self-Government Agreement, Summary, and learn more.
WFN has experienced rapid growth and development over the years.
As the population continues to grow, so have programs, services, and infrastructure on WFN lands. Member and non-Member residents are able to access major grocery stores, retailers, financial services, and restaurants on WFN lands.
Balancing growth and development with cultural identity is at the forefront of WFN's policies, principles, and procedures. WFN works closely with the Okanagan Nation and neighbouring communities to ensure a shared responsibility to the water, land, animals, and all living things is upheld. In working together, we are all better able to ensure the beauty of the Okanagan, its four seasons, seasonal activities, and resources are available for future generations to enjoy as well.
As a major travel destination with world-class ski, golf, and wine attractions, tourism is a significant part of the economy. Visitors are invited to experience the Okanagan, to engage with local community events and culture.
Don't know where to start? Visit the Tourism page!