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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. The current term is 2019-2022.
Chief Derickson has been involved in his community for the past 20 years working with youth, serving on boards and commissions and brings 7 years of Council experience prior to being elected Chief in 2019.
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Christopher Derickson has been an active Member of the Westbank First Nation (“WFN”) community for over 20 years. Christopher is passionate about developing young leaders and providing opportunities for youth to become their best selves. His work in developing the WFN Youth Council is part of his many community-driven initiatives that have supported his passion, and has assisted community youth in discovering their voice. Christopher has served on a number of WFN boards and committees, as well as played a key role in the development of the 2015 WFN Comprehensive Community Plan, which established a guiding vision for the continued development and growth of the WFN community. Through his work in business development and operational management, Christopher has supported numerous Indigenous communities and organizations across Canada in strategic planning and governance. Through his active participation as a regular keynote speaker, and workshop facilitator, he is dedicated to indigenous planning, governance, and economic development. Christopher is an innovative leader committed to furthering Indigenous interests. Prior to his election as Chief, Christopher served as a Councillor for 7 years. Christopher continues to promote the importance of education and engage with various organizations to support awareness and opportunities for community youth in achieving higher levels of education. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of British Columbia Okanagan, a Master of Business Administration from Simon Fraser University, and a Juris Doctorate from the University of British Columbia. Christopher has utilized his educational experience through his time as a faculty member at the University of Arizona Native Nations Institute as well as a lecturer at Simon Frasier University’s Beedie School of Business. Christopher’s diligence has been recognized through several academic awards including the Business in Vancouver Forty Under 40 award. Current Appointments: • British Columbia Achievement Foundation • Okanagan Nation Alliance (“ONA”) Natural Resources Committee • Okanagan Regional Library Board of Directors • President of Ntityix Development Corp. • ONA Chiefs Executive Council • Okanagan Basin Water Board (ONA Representative) Previous Appointments and Awards: • Secretary and Treasurer for the All Nations Trust Company Board of Directors. • Inaugural member of the Premiers Selection Committee for the BC Medal of Good Citizenship. • Business in Vancouver Forty Under 40 Award Recipient • Chair of the Okanagan College Board of Governors
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 served on the WFN Community Consultative Group, and currently she sits on the syilx Indian Residential School Committee and the Public Safety First Nation Policing Stakeholder Panel. Serving on these committees is where she has found her passion for the health of the community as a whole and community building. Aside from these professional commitments, she is on her first term serving on the Okanagan College Board of Governors where she is able to make a difference in the field of education and bring her experience to the Board.
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Councillor Alexander was first elected to council in 2016. She is the daughter of Eileen Alexander and the granddaughter of Laura Alexander and Charlie Swite.
Councillor Fernanda Alexander was first elected as a Westbank First Nation Councillor on September 15, 2016 to serve during the 2016-2019 term. Fernanda is the daughter of Eileen Alexander and the granddaughter of Laura Alexander and Charlie Swite. She is a mother of four children, Raven, Juliana, Kortney and Ryder. Fernanda has resided within the community and the heart of Westbank since 2003 to experience life and growth through our Syilx roots, culture, community and our Nation as it is an important part of life and growth. Fernanda believes that every individual’s strength is valued and can contribute to creating a strong balanced circle and community that can continue to pursue our strength as a Nation.
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. naʔł isʕawsəs tuwi um̓tiw̓s, tuwi n̓kʷalaʔ, naʔł tuwi pl̓kmúlaʔxʷ. Jordan is married to Chelsea Coble and is the proud father of Keyara, Hadley and Nyelle. He was one of the original attendees of what was then, the Westbank Indian Band school, now Sensisyusten, attended high school at MBSS and earned is degree from UBCO. Jordan also graduated from the 4 year adult immersion language program at the Syilx Language House while continuing to help grow the Sncewips Heritage Museum into the influential centre it has come to be recognized as today. As Jordan believes in the power of collaboration and the spirit of working together, he sits on various boards including the BCMA, ICHAC, UBCO IEAB, and he can also remember what most of these acronyms stand for. Moving forward requires a balanced approach towards development and progression. We as a sqilxʷ need to set the example in creating a healthy environment that utilizes each other’s gifts in a good way so that our future generations will have the opportunity to thrive. We can continue to be leaders and provide for our community but we must never forget our core values of respect for all, sustainability and reciprocity. Way̓ limləm̓t
Councillor Hogaboam was first elected in 2010, finishing her term in 2013. She is the daughter of the late Marie Wilson and Hugh Money and the granddaughter of Julia and William Wilson and Constance Money and Arthor Money.
She has two children Jonathon and Lee’al and two little grandchildren Torian & Oliver. Her siblings are Janice, Steven, late Stanley Money and late Robert Money. Lorrie has resided within the WFN Community in the early 70’s returning in 1992 where she raised her 2 children. She is a firm believer of children obtaining their education and she believes there isn’t a mountain that you can’t climb. Lorrie continues to be involved within the Community and was employed with WFN for over 16+ years, she values and is proud of her community, her culture, her roots and as a Sylix person. She believes in progression of the Community, accountability to her people while presenting and exhibiting honesty, integrity and respect.
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