Vanessa Clough, Okanagan Indian Band Youth Leadership Council co-chair. (submitted photo)

By Pete McIntyre

new project

Band launches ‘What Happens Upstream’ campaign to build safer communities

Jun 10, 2024 | 2:30 PM

The Okanagan Indian Band has launched what it calls a groundbreaking initiative.

“What Happens Upstream” was created by the sqilx’w youth of n’qmaplqs (north end of Okanagan Lake, Okanagan Indian Band).

“The concept of “What Happens Upstream” is deeply rooted in our syilx teaching that our actions in one place invariably impact the ecosystems of those downstream. This principle emphasizes the intergenerational interconnectedness of our communities and the ripple effects of our behaviours,” a news release from OKIB stated.

The band said by focusing on community safety and well-being from a young age, it sets a precedent for future generations, ensuring that the pathways they inherit are safe and nurturing.

A key part of the project is a youth conference scheduled for October, which will explore a variety of issues surrounding public safety and belonging. The event will bring together youth, community leaders, and service providers to engage in meaningful discussions and develop actionable solutions.

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Vanessa Clough, OKIB Youth Leadership Council Co-Chair. said the youth today face many challenges and are in a state of crisis.

“Safe spaces are of vital importance to the overall well-being and health and safety, and as a member of the Youth Leadership Council, I want to take part in providing a solution to building a safer community. We want to be a part of the solution and would like to start by establishing a youth centre and focusing on repairing pebble park,” Clough said.

The project also aims to disrupt the disproportionately high rates of incarceration and involvement in the child welfare system that Indigenous youth face, a consequence of both historical and persistent colonial practices, by promoting a sqilx’w-led framework that focuses on preventative measures and utilizes sqilx’w knowledge to reclaim traditional roles and responsibilities.

OKIB Chief Byron Louis said they are “immensely proud” of their young people for leading the campaign.

“Their dedication to creating safer, more inclusive communities honours our syilx teachings and knowledge systems. This initiative reflects our people’s ongoing strength and caretaking responsibilities. I wholeheartedly support their efforts to build a better future for all generations,” Louis remarked.