Our Community

Sənsisyustən House of Learning is a Group 2 Independent Elementary School with the BC Ministry of Education. We teach current BC curriculum with an integration of Okanagan Syilx perspectives. The syilx/Okanagan translation of Sənsisyustən is “the place where you become anything you choose to be.” The school, designed after a traditional native pit-house, lends itself to interactive learning in a warm and nurturing environment.

Wednesday, July 21, 2021 - In the event that you are evacuated from your home due to wildfire, it is imperative that you register with the Emergency Support Services (ESS) in your area to ensure all evacuees are accounted for and First Responders do not go back in looking for individuals who have already evacuated. ESS is also responsible for setting evacuees up with vouchers for hotel rooms in your area, meals, etc. It is advised that you register with ESS online, but in person options are avai

The Central Okanagan Emergency Operation Centre (EOC) has been activated in response to the Brenda Creek wildfire which was discovered yesterday (Wednesday July 14, 2021), northwest of Peachland and south of the Okanagan Connector Hwy 97-C. It is estimated at 400 hectares and is regarded as "out of control". BC Wildfire has deployed multiple air and ground crews.

The West Kelowna First Nation Policing Unit in partnership with Penticton Indian Band and Okanagan Indian Band are conducting an Okanagan RCMP Recruiting Youth Canoe Journey on Okanagan Lake August 23 - 27, 2021 with a goal to help build better community relationships with the RCMP and indigenous communities.

The most recent issue of the WFN Ec Dev X-press Economic Development newsletter is now available online.

With a fraction of the normal precipitation and scorching temperatures raising fire concerns across the Southern Interior, the Central Okanagan emergency program urges residents to be prepared.

June is National Indigenous History Month. We take the time to honor the history and recognize the strength of Indigenous people in Canada today.

The 2022 Indigenous Student Handbook is currently being developed and will be finalized for the upcoming recruitment cycle. The production team is seeking two artists: an Indigenous artist or illustrator from Musqueam, and an Indigenous artist or illustrator from the Okanagan Nation. Each artist will provide original artwork to be included in the project’s design.

This month, as we celebrate diversity and the progress LGBTQ2s+ people have achieved, we encourage everyone to recognize, accept and celebrate all people. no matter who they are or who they love.

Following the healing circle hosted by WFN for residential school survivors on June 3rd, WFN stands in support of the many vigils and memorials held across Canada.

Since the news broke about the discovery of the remains of 215 Indigenous children at the Kamloops Residential School, I have been bombarded by texts and phone calls. Friends, colleagues, and political leaders have been asking, “How are you, and your community doing?” “How can we support you?” How am I? I’m angry, indignant, and perplexed as to why a country like ours; a modern day free, liberal, and democratic society tolerates the ongoing atrocious treatment of Indigenous peoples. I’m also su

Westbank First Nation is requesting letters of interest for the Public Art Committee (“PAC”) in order to fill a number of seats which have become vacant. Applicants must have an interest or expertise in art, architecture, planning, building construction, or community culture.

The City of West Kelowna (CWK) is wanting to collaborate with WFN on the construction of their new City Hall which will be built next to the Johnson-Bentley swimming pool, adjacent to WFN’s ‘cut-off’ lands. Construction of the 45,000 sq-ft building will begin June 2021 and complete December 2022. It will include two floors for CWK’s City Hall, and one floor for an Okanagan Regional Library.

On May 17, 2021, intersection safety improvements for Louie Drive and Old Okanagan Highway will begin. This will include 730 metres of works on Old Okanagan Highway, and 620 metres of works on Louie Drive.

Do you have a child or know someone who is going to be five years old by Dec 31st, 2021? Thinking about options for Kindergarten in September? Join us for an interactive Zoom session with our Kindergarten classroom.

Today at approximately 8:15 am Sensisyusten school staff noticed a gas-like odour when they arrived at the school. Staff and students were evacuated to the ballfields at Pine Stadium.

This grazing season, WFN will utilize the Provincial Range Tenure we have with the Province on lands adjacent to our Gallagher’s reserves 11 and 12. This will serve to augment other steps we have taken and continue to take in our area of responsibility to forward our title and rights.

The BC Museums Association (BCMA) is seeking a BC-based Indigenous artist to create a new or use an existing work that evokes the spirit of repatriation and acts as a symbol of institutional participation in a nation-wide Call to Action that will be released this Spring.

Westbank First Nation (WFN) in partnership with the City of West Kelowna (CWK) is offering funding to help property owners who demonstrate the use of FireSmart principles and initiatives to reduce the risk of wildfire damage to their homes and community.

Enter this contest by submitting a poem so you can win a prize and have it presented at a concert where your poem will be set to music by an accomplished composer and sung by RESOUND Choir. The winning poem, with “joy” as its theme, will be set to music by Andrew Balfour and premiered by RESOUND Choir at their March 2022 concert.

2021 is shaping up to be a busy construction season for the WFN community. With this in mind, WFN would like all residents to be aware of these identified works to limit any potential impact to daily travel for residents and visitors on Westbank Lands.

In recognition of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, WFN has further extended its rental increase effective date freeze from July 1, 2021 to January 1, 2022.

Wilfred “Grouse” Barnes and Pamela Barnes, Elders and Knowledge Keepers from Westbank First Nation, say they were surprised to find out they were named Okanagan College Honorary Fellows for 2020.

Tree removal will occur on Lots 404 – 408 Plan CLSR 77632 IR#10 located along Westside Road commencing March 9, 2021. It is anticipated that it will take one week to complete the scheduled works. Tree removal has been approved by WFN.

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