Okanagan Indian Band reserve. (photo credit: Okanagan Indian Band)

By Pete McIntyre

Chief comments

UPDATE: OKIB members reject economic development referendum

Jan 29, 2021 | 12:00 PM

A referendum on new economic opportunities for the Okanagan Indian Band has been defeated by band members.

Chief Byron Louis said the vote to commercially designate 52 acres on the band’s Duck Lake reserve, near the Kelowna-Lake Country border, for new economic leasing purposes, fell by an 8-vote margin, 123-115.

Louis feels there wasn’t one reason for the opposition, but feels members didn’t have enough information on it.

“The question that needs to be asked is what didn’t they like that prompted them to say no? You look at some, it could have been the financial agreement between the corporation and the band in terms of revenue and revenue generation. Was there a clear understanding of that? It’s not just one thing why people say no,” Louis told Vernon Matters.

Louis and his council will discuss the result and decide what happens next.

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“When you look at a referendum do you call it a hiccup or a heart attack? I would say it’s something to live by, and if you don’t learn by it, then it becomes that. It moves from being one to being the other.”

Louis said he is disappointed by the result.

“The disappointment actually comes to myself, not to my members. They are the ones we asked. It’s basically their opinion. But what could I have done to answer and address their questions before that became a point where they felt they had to voice their concern? “It was once put to me this way: If I don’t understand, I say no. How could you fault somebody for that?”

The chief said it would have been a huge economic benefit to the band.

“Without a doubt, but basically the benefit is irrelevant until they [members] are assured they are making the decision that not only affects them but could affect their children.”

Louis and his council have other initiatives they will consider.

“Our people didn’t say no to economic development, they said no to a particular project we had proposed.”

Louis said the 238 member turnout was low, which may have been due to COVID-19 and the passing of a respected Elder in the community (Rosie Williams).

“There is very little flexibility under the Indian Act to move the referendum.”

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Original story (Jan. 29)

The Okanagan Indian Band is holding a referendum today which could mean new economic development opportunities.

The Vernon-area band is seeking consent to commercially designate 52 acres on the Duck Lake reserve, near the Kelowna-Lake Country border, for new economic leasing purposes.

The vote will be successful if a majority of those who participate vote in favour of the designation (simple majority, 50 per cent plus one) regardless of the number of persons eligible to vote in the referendum.

“Designated Lands are lands the members of the Okanagan Indian Band have agreed to lease for economic development purposes as set out in the designation. They can be used for things like commercial, agricultural, recreational, or other purposes which are voted on by the members according to the rules of the Indian Referendum Regulation. It is important to note that designated lands remain reserve lands,” information on the band’s website stated.

OKIB members, 18 and older, are eligible to vote at Council Chambers, 12420 Westside Road, from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.

The band provided this list of what the land can and cannot be used for:

The lands can be used for:

• animal clinic
• auctioneering establishments
• autobody repair and paint shops
• automotive recreation vehicle services
• brewing or distilling
• bulk fuel depots
• business support services
• call centres
• cannabis cultivation, processing and dispensary facilities
• car washes
• commercial storage
• concrete plants
• contractor services
• crematorium
• custom indoor manufacturing
• drive-thru vehicle services
• educational or training facilities
• equipment rental, sales and repair shops
• emergency and protective services
• financial services
• fleet services
• food primary establishments
• funeral services
• gas bars
• yard scape and aggregate supply
• government agencies
• high technology research and product design
• hostels and hotels
• household repair services
• industrial processing
• kennels
• lumber yards and facilities
• manufacturing and repair shops
• nurseries and greenhouses
• offices, construction and development industry
• outdoor storage
• participant recreation services, indoor
• recycling depots, plants and materials drop-off centres
• restaurants
• retail stores
• service stations
• storage facilities and yard space
• temporary shelter services,
• truck and mobile home sales/rentals
• utility services
• vehicle and equipment services, industrial and agricultural
• warehouse facilities and sales, and
• wrecking yards.

The lands cannot be used for:

• a slaughterhouse
• storage of toxic chemicals
• a chemical treatment plant
• a waste disposal facility
• a bulk fuel refinery.

If the measure passes, the OKIB will submit a band council resolution requesting that the federal government accept the designation. Indigenous Services Canada Regional Staff will prepare a Ministerial Order submission for the minister’s consideration. The lands cannot be leased until such time as the designation has been accepted by the minister.