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Community Services delivers programs and services that support the well-being of our community members. WFN provides exceptional activities, events and attractions across multiple departments, while striving to deliver unique and affordable community building experiences for all ages that promote physical, mental, emotional and spiritual well-being.
Health & Wellness aims to promote a healthy lifestyle, both physically and mentally, through increased self-awareness and holistic approaches to personal well-being.
Membership Services strives to be a successful, effective and productive department; with emphasis on the delivery of services for Members.
Youth & Recreation delivers a variety of educational, cultural and recreational programs and services targeted towards youth that support the well-being of community members.
Education Services provides support and assistance to Members pursuing their education and career goals. This includes Members from elementary school all the way up to post-secondary.
sənsisyustən House of Learning is a Group 2 Independent Elementary School within the B.C. Ministry of Education. The school follows current B.C. curriculum with an integration of Okanagan/syilx perspectives in regards to the Seven Teachings: humility, honesty, bravery, respect, love, truth and wisdom.
Westbank Child Development Centre (WCDC) is a provincially licensed daycare facility that supports and promotes Okanagan/syilx language and culture, nutrition and health, and school readiness.
Early Years Department is a provincially licensed early years center dedicated to providing children from birth to age twelve with fun-filled educational experiences that promote indigenous culture.
Engineering and Public Works is responsible for the design, construction and improvements of WFN roads, sidewalks, street lighting, potable water systems, sanitary sewer systems and bike paths. WFN works with the City of Kelowna, the City of West Kelowna and the Regional District of the Central Okanagan on a range of planning initiatives related to transportation, regional growth strategies, water systems, sewer treatment and the environment.
Planning and Development plays a central role in both the technical and political process of WFN land development. The ongoing planning and coordination of development ensures that projects are sustainable, environmentally sound, and align with WFN priorities and strategic goals. Planning and Development prepares land use plans, zoning regulations, laws and policies, and provides professional assistance with all aspects of the development process.
Housing and Property Administration oversees the management of WFN’s real estate assets and facilitates day-to-day tasks related to leasing, operations, and management. The Housing division provides options to Members by determining short and long term housing needs as well as prioritizing community lands suitable for housing development.
The Lands Registry office carries out duties and responsibilities delegated or assigned under Part XI - Land Rules of the Westbank First Nation Constitution. Part XI includes, that a Registry where interests and instruments which affect, or purport to affect, Westbank Lands shall be registered or recorded in the Lands Register. These instruments include Leases, Subleases, Mortgages, Allotments, etc. The Westbank Lands Registry is federally regulated, enacted under the authority of the WFN Self Government Act, and sets out a system of land registration establishing priorities via online registration. These regulations work in conjunction with the Land Rules.
The Utilities Department is dedicated to providing exceptional water and sewer services to those residing on WFN lands. Utilities staff are fully certified and accredited through the Environmental Operations certification program and British Columbia Water and Wastewater Association. The Operators range in certification from Level I to Level III.
The Economic Development Department acts as an ambassador and supporter of the over 400 on-reserve businesses through a variety of networking and facilitation events. Economic Development attracts new businesses to the community while maintaining WFN membership values. Collaboration with on-reserve businesses allows for the completion of a variety of community projects involving public beaches, streets and parks. The Economic Development Commission facilitates business events including Business After-Hours and Business Walks in order to receive input on WFN’s business environment and to contribute to the region’s economic wellbeing.
The Communications Department aims to provide timely and accurate reporting to WFN members and stakeholders. This department is responsible for gathering, organizing and sharing information to the community through digital and traditional media channels. The Communications Department works to create awareness in the community and maintain a positive public image while ensuring the WFN brand is consistently and professionally maintained.
Financial Services works to deliver the best possible service to all its stakeholders including WFN members, nonmember residents, local businesses, and to WFN departments and employees.
The Taxation Department ensures the collection of taxes on WFN lands. Property taxes paid to WFN are used for services and facilities that benefit the community, including fire protection, law enforcement, sanitation, etc. As a result, residents have access to these tax-paid services and have input into proposed laws that directly and significantly affect them as represented by the Advisory Council. Services paid for by taxes fall into one of five categories: Local Services, Parks & Recreation, Community Development, Protective Services and Administrative Services.
Budget & Financial Reporting is similar to working on a unique and challenging puzzle every day. Many of the pieces fit together in a specific manner to achieve success. Budgeting is an annual event and as a result, the work is never quite completed and the puzzle gets rebuilt the following year. Financial reporting is an ongoing task and an important component in ensuring that WFN is meeting its fiduciary responsibilities to membership and other stakeholders.
Purchasing & Accounts Payable is responsible for acquiring goods and services as well as managing the disposal of surplus materials in an ethically professional and cost effective manner. This department acquires procurements in accordance with the current annual budget, WFN laws and by-laws, and employee purchasing procedures. WFN’s purchasing policy ensures that the process of procuring goods and services is accountable and transparent. Our purchasing policy includes, but is not limited to, Professional Ethics and Confidentiality & Accuracy of Information.
Accounting has an assortment of duties and responsibilities that enforce accountability through strong internal controls and adherence to all laws, standards and policies, and includes payroll, accounts receivable, cash desk and retail. Accounts Receivable works with received payments for matters including and similar to utility billing. Cash Desk takes payments both on-site and over the phone for WFN on-reserve charges such as taxes and pet licenses. Retail runs and maintains all aspect of the trading post; this includes stocking and taking payments.
Payroll has a variety of tasks including salaries, wages and bonuses.
Information Technology focuses on the success of computer operations and other information technology needs within WFN. Much of IT’s time is focused on computers, software and servers, internet and security, and data recovery.
Human resources is a fast-paced, ever-changing department that works hard to promote WFN’s core values of equality, honesty, respect, fairness, and understanding. Human Resources works in cooperation with other departments to provide career and training opportunities to the employees and community of WFN. Global training initiatives, the promotion of a positive, healthy and productive work place, and the establishment of procedural policies are a few of the many ongoing projects of the Human Resources Department.
Administration performs all duties and responsibilities in accordance with Westbank First Nation’s policies, standards and procedures. Administration not only provides incomparable client care but also trains and develops Administrative Support staff in all areas in order to give entry level staff the opportunity to cross-train and move into other departments.
Occupational health and safety ensures a positive and safe workplace environment for WFN. Areas of focus include hazard identification, awareness and improvement, as well as incident prevention, reporting and education.
Intergovernmental affairs is responsible for relations with other governments (Indigenous and non-Indigenous), including treaty negotiations and self-government implementation. IGA maintains contacts with other First Nations across Canada and is involved with First Nation political organizations both regionally and nationally.
Title & rights. Westbank First Nation, as part of the Okanagan Nation, has Aboriginal Title within the ancestral lands historically occupied by the syilx peoples. WFN places high value on the responsible management and safeguarding of its resources, environment and watersheds. To continue to prosper and meet the broader needs of the community, WFN is committed to caring for its lands through sustainable development and protection protocols. Aboriginal title and rights has long been multi-pronged and has included negotiation, litigation and direct action/assertion of title and rights. WFN continues to implement this strategy individually as a self-governing community and as part of the broader Okanagan Nation Alliance.
The Sncǝwips Heritage Museum focuses on the power of our own voices to inspire, educate and transform. The Museum is dedicated to collecting, preserving, restoring and interpreting art and artifact collections that reflect the heritage and natural history of the syilx/Okanagan people. The Museum benefits the community and broader public through research, exhibitions and public programming and strives to make their artifact collections accessible to our members and regional, national and international audiences.
Archaeology is a part of a Title & Rights’ study supporting the referral process. All archaeological work is specific to proposed development within WFN’s governance area and is funded through proposed development opportunities. Archaeological research contributes to WFN’s understanding as well as the community’s understanding of the long term existence of First Nation people in the Okanagan Valley.
Council Secretariat actively supports WFN government operations through law and policy development, contract review, conflict-resolution and legal guidance. The Council Secretariat provides administrative support to Chief and Council; including receiving minutes from council meetings and boards, committees and commissions that report to Council. Some long-term projects include policy review and updates, procurement work, revitalization of traditional syilx law and creation of new law and policy.
Legal services works to support other departments and the RCMP First Nations unit, operating to update and amend WFN laws, strategize, review land use development and business proposals, and to facilitate Community Consultative Group meetings. Within Legal Services there are two sub-departments: Law Enforcement and Residential Premises. Law Enforcement patrols and educates WFN community members and staff on laws and emergency preparedness and takes on various special projects. Law Enforcement Officers work closely with first responders to ensure the safety of the community. Residential Premises works to educate and facilitate better relationships between landlords and tenants with respect to their rights.
Records & information management ensures the integrity and security of WFN's records throughout their life cycle—from creation through to storage and final disposition (either destruction or archiving). Records exist in various formats including paper, electronic documents, photographs, audio and video recordings, and maps and plans. WFN is a leader in electronic document management, and staff have access to many documents from the convenience of their personal work stations. Records and Information Management is also involved in business process improvements, policy development and the protection of privacy.