E-Mail 250-769-4999 Directory
Contact: Council Executive Assistant | T 250 769 4999 | E-mail
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 2016-2019.
Chief Lindley is the first female Chief for Westbank First Nation and brings with her a wealth of skills and knowledge. E jlube@wfn.ca
Chief Roxanne Lindley was elected as Chief on September 15, 2016 to serve a three-year term from 2016 to 2019. She is the first female Chief for Westbank First Nation and brings with her a wealth of skills and knowledge.
Lindley's grandparents are Angeline and Tom Lindley, and Emily Michele and Edward McDougall. Her parents were Norman Lindley, who was the first elected Chief of Westbank First Nation (1963), and Elizabeth Lindley Charters. Chief Lindley has three children – Twyla, Rheanna and Nathan – and six grandchildren, Alyssa, Ethan, Warrick, Robbie, Willow, and Faora. Her long-time partner of over thirty years is Wayne Sahli.
Prior to being elected as Chief, Lindley had the opportunity to travel abroad and witness opportunities for First Nation international partnerships, training, aboriginal tourism and investment.
She has also had discussions regarding the digitization of language, speakers, archaeological information and traditional place-names for the purposes of education, history, title and rights, and language keeping. Research continues toward the goal of collaboration between First Nations, local school districts and universities.
Internal Appointments with WFN Council Representation
External Appointments
Councillor Derickson, first elected in 2012, is the son of Raymond and Carol Derickson, and the grandson of the late Richard and Caroline Derickson, and Art and Esther Potts of the Samson Cree Nation. E Christopher.Derickson@wfn.ca
He is married to Jordan Derickson and is a proud father to a 23-year-old son, Justin. The Derickson family also includes a French bulldog named after a sandwich, Rueben. Chris is currently serving in his second full term and was first elected to Council in a 2012 bi-election.
Inspired by his community’s self government journey, Chris has spent the last twelve years working as an Indigenous planner and is a partner with Alderhill Planning Inc. He speaks regularly across Canada on the topic of Indigenous planning encouraging communities to replace western planning methods with traditional ways of planning.
A commitment to serve indigenous people has lead Chris to sit on several boards and teach at leading institutions. He serves as the Chair for the Okanagan College Board of Governors and sits on advisory committees at UBC-O and UBC-V. He is also a lecturer at SFU’s Beedie School of Business and the Native Nations Institute at the University of Arizona, where teaches on indigenous ethics and community development.
Chris brings a diverse educational background into his role at WFN, with a degree in political sciences from UBC-Okanagan, a Juris Doctor from UBC-Law and a Master of Business Administration from SFU.
Christopher’s mandate is that, in all that Westbank First Nation does, and will do, it is the people that matter the most and he works to ensure that Members are informed and included.
Council committees
Internal committees with WFN representation
External appointments
Councillor Eli was first elected in 1978 and has since been elected five subsequent times. Brian's parents are the late Alec and Mary Eli, and his grandparents are the late Antoine and Mary Eli. E beli@wfn.ca
Councillor Eli was first elected in 1978 to serve a two-year term as Councillor. He was elected five subsequent times, serving an additional ten years as Councillor. Then from 1996 to 1998, and 2000 to 2002, he served as Chief. Following that, he served another eight years as Councillor. Brian's parents are the late Alec and Mary Eli, and his grandparents are the late Antoine and Mary Eli. His priority is looking after family and representing the Membership. Family and community is where his heart lies. Brian is interested in WFN economic development and employment goals, as well as assisting the Membership. As well, Brian wishes to pass his knowledge onto the younger generation, including the younger Councillors, while also preserving WFN's language, culture and history.
Internal committees with Council representation
Councillor Konek was first elected as a Councillor in 2016. He is the great grandson of Christine Eli and Dennis Swite, the grandson of Kathy Jones and George Jones, and the son of Linda Jones and Thomas A. Konek. E tkonek@wfn.ca
Councillor Tom Konek was first elected as a Westbank First Nation Councillor on September 15, 2016 to serve during the 2016-2019 term. Tom is the great grandson of Christine Eli and Dennis Swite, the grandson of Kathy Jones and George Jones, and the son of Linda Jones and Thomas A. Konek. He is the oldest of four siblings (Jill, Joseph and Sarah Konek) and has two children, Owen Konek and Tollin Konek.
Tom moved back to Westbank because he felt it is a place that has always been "home." He wanted to be a part of the community and contribute in any capacity possible. He acknowledges that the Elders have accomplished so much for this generation and that we need to honor their sacrifice and keep moving forward keeping aware that we will be passing along to our future generations.
Tom enlisted in the United States Air Force and was on active duty from 2001 to 2005. He then worked at Northern Quest Resort and Casino in Washington for six years before moving to Westbank First Nation, where he became a WFN employee in 2015 and worked in the roles of Accounts Payable Clerk and Taxation Officer.
Councillor Konek plans to begin monthly meetings with Membership. He will also focus on economic development within WFN's commercial retail spaces, developing more on-reserve employment opportunities for Membership, and ensuring transparency.
Councillor Alexander was first elected as a Councillor in 2016. She is the daughter of Eileen Alexander and the granddaughter of Laura Alexander and Charlie Swite. E falexander@wfn.ca
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.
Internal committees with WFN Council representation