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The Westbank First Nation Local Government consists of one Chief and four Councillors who govern under the Westbank First Nation Constitution. Council members serve a three-year term of office.
Chief Robert Louie has spent more than 50 years advancing Indigenous self-governance and economic empowerment. As Chief of the 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.
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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 Andrea Alexander, B.A.
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:
Councillor DeGuevara 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 Bio & Appointments Mike De Guevara, Senklip, Profile 2025 With 14 years of council experience and an MBA, brings energy and experience to the Council table. 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. 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. 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. Council Committees: Chief Black Bear (governance) Committee - Chair Chief Spring Salmon (economy) Committee - Vice Chair Internal Committees: Youth Council - Alternate External Committees: Regional District of Central Okanagan Board Regional District of Central Okanagan Committee of the Whole Okanagan Regional Library Ntityix Development Corporation - Alternate Ntityix Resources - Alternate Kilawna Builders - Alternate Okanagan Indian Educational Resources Society - Alternate Okanagan Nation Alliance Chief's Executive Council - Alternate Okanagan Nation Alliance Energy Executive Committee - Alternate Okanagan Nation Alliance Natural Resources Committee - Alternate Westside Wastewater Services Standing Committee - Alternate
Mike De Guevara, Senklip, Profile 2025
With 14 years of council experience and an MBA, brings energy and experience to the Council table.
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.
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.
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.
View Bio & Appointments 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 Council Committees: Chief Spring Salmon (economy) Committee - Chair Chief Saskatoon Berry (community) Committee - Vice Chair Internal Committees: Economic Development Commission Elders Group - Alternate Sensisyusten School Board - Alternate External Committees: Central Okanagan Economic Development Commission Ntityix Development Corporation Ntityix Resources Kilawna Builders Okanagan Nation Alliance Natural Resources Committee Indigenous Education Council Airport Advisory Committee - Alternate Regional District of Central Okanagan - Alternate Regional District of Central Okanagan Committee of the Whole - Alternate ONA Wellness - Alternate WFN/the Bridge Advisory Committee - Alternate
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
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.
View Bio & Appointments Iʔ skwist. Iʔ suma skwist Sara Tronson. inmistum Harvey Tronson. intum Judy Sylte. isx̌ax̌paʔ twi Tom Tronson. inqa̓qnaʔ twi Edith Tronson (McDougal). isx̌ílwiʔ Jessin Potskin, ʔasíl st̓m̓t̓m̓kʔil̓tət snt’aqxan iʔ smmaʔ skwist McKinley uɬ sc̓aʔák̓ʷ iʔ smmaʔ skwists Josie. My name is Sara Tronson. My parents are Harvey Tronson and Judy Sylte. My grandparents are the late Tom and Edith Tronson. My partner, Jessin Potskin, and I have two daughters named Mckinley and Josie. Sara is honored to be serving on her second Council term. She grew up and currently lives in Westbank and has always been an active and energetic member of WFN. Growing up, Sara attended the WFN community daycare, Sensisyusten School, and participated in WFN youth programming. She is proud that her daughters can be raised as a part of the WFN community just as she was. Her youngest daughter attends the WFN daycare while her eldest daughter attends Sensisyusten School. Sara comes from a family that values hard work and giving back. She holds a Bachelor of Business Administration with a specialization in Human Resources Management from Okanagan College. Prior to her role on Council, Sara worked at the En’owkin Centre in Penticton. In addition, Sara had 10 years of previous work experience within Westbank First Nation, including roles as After School Care Worker, Youth Leader, Administrative Support, and Human Resource Coordinator. These combined experiences and Sara’s educational background have created a strong foundation in organizational leadership, communication, and community-oriented initiatives. Currently, Sara is working towards completing her Nsyilcen language fluency degree. In her free time, she enjoys participating in sports: snowboarding is her favourite winter activity. Softball is also close to Sara’s heart as she grew up at the ballpark. Sara plays and helps run the community slo-pitch team. She also helps with the local men’s fastball team and assists with the community Mother’s Day slo-pitch tournament and the Clancy-man cup fastball tournament. Council Committee: Chief Saskatoon Berry (community) Committee - Chair Chief Bitterroot (land) Committee - Vice Chair Internal Committees: Elders Group Sensisyusten School Board Allotment Commission - Alternate Community Consultative Group - Alternate External Committees: Electoral Area Services Committee Indigenous Education Council Okanagan Indian Educational Resources Society ONA Wellness Okanagan Nation Alliance Chief's Executive Council - Alternate
Iʔ skwist. Iʔ suma skwist Sara Tronson. inmistum Harvey Tronson. intum Judy Sylte. isx̌ax̌paʔ twi Tom Tronson. inqa̓qnaʔ twi Edith Tronson (McDougal). isx̌ílwiʔ Jessin Potskin, ʔasíl st̓m̓t̓m̓kʔil̓tət snt’aqxan iʔ smmaʔ skwist McKinley uɬ sc̓aʔák̓ʷ iʔ smmaʔ skwists Josie. My name is Sara Tronson. My parents are Harvey Tronson and Judy Sylte. My grandparents are the late Tom and Edith Tronson. My partner, Jessin Potskin, and I have two daughters named Mckinley and Josie.
Sara is honored to be serving on her second Council term. She grew up and currently lives in Westbank and has always been an active and energetic member of WFN. Growing up, Sara attended the WFN community daycare, Sensisyusten School, and participated in WFN youth programming. She is proud that her daughters can be raised as a part of the WFN community just as she was. Her youngest daughter attends the WFN daycare while her eldest daughter attends Sensisyusten School.
Sara comes from a family that values hard work and giving back. She holds a Bachelor of Business Administration with a specialization in Human Resources Management from Okanagan College. Prior to her role on Council, Sara worked at the En’owkin Centre in Penticton. In addition, Sara had 10 years of previous work experience within Westbank First Nation, including roles as After School Care Worker, Youth Leader, Administrative Support, and Human Resource Coordinator. These combined experiences and Sara’s educational background have created a strong foundation in organizational leadership, communication, and community-oriented initiatives.
Currently, Sara is working towards completing her Nsyilcen language fluency degree. In her free time, she enjoys participating in sports: snowboarding is her favourite winter activity. Softball is also close to Sara’s heart as she grew up at the ballpark. Sara plays and helps run the community slo-pitch team. She also helps with the local men’s fastball team and assists with the community Mother’s Day slo-pitch tournament and the Clancy-man cup fastball tournament.
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