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Media Style Guide Tips:

The Media Style Guide was designed to support media when writing about or describing Westbank First Nation "WFN" and its Membership. 

Media Style Guide

  • Westbank First Nation is a Self Governing Nation not a "band" (typically used to describe non-self-governing Nations) or a "tribe" (more typically used to describe Indigenous communities in the United States). When looking to minimize characters, utilize the acronym "WFN".
  • When referring to Westbank First Nation, there is no need to add the prefix "the" in front. Westbank First Nation is a proper noun and stands alone.  Example: "Westbank First Nation is a Self Governing Nation (not, "The" Westbank First Nation...), similar to Kelowna (not 'the Kelowna').
  • We are one Nation, therefore 'Westbank First Nation' is correct terminology, and 'Westbank First Nations' is incorrect.
  • When wishing to reference both communities of the City of West Kelowna and Westbank First Nation as one, utilizing a neutral term, such as 'the Westside' is appropriate and often utilized by the two governments when describing joint projects, etc. 
  • When referencing land on the Westside, it is either Westbank First Nation land or West Kelowna land. Each government has its own borders and jurisdictions. Click here to view the land borders. 
  • When referring to WFN's Membership, the term 'Indigenous' is preferred over 'Aboriginal'. The shift to Indigenous has been recognized by the Federal Government.

Media is invited to contact the Communications Department if they would like confirmation on appropriate terminology or to request an interview or statement.

For additional information, the Journalist for Human Rights have developed a Style Guide for reporting on Indigenous People.

Contact: Communications  |  T 250 769 4999