Members of the OKIB Youth Leadership Council at the funding announcement at the Head of the Lake Hall Tuesday (Image Credit: Liam Verster / Vernon Matters)

By Liam Verster

Cultural Reconnection

Federal funds support OKIB youth cultural project to reduce crime, enhance safety

Mar 3, 2026 | 2:34 PM

A federal investment is going to support Okanagan Indian Band (OKIB) youth with the overall goal of reducing crime and enhancing public safety.

Stephen Fuhr, secretary of state for defence procurement and MP for Kelowna, announced on behalf of Gary Anandasangaree, minister of public safety, that the government was providing the OKIB with $2.14-million through the Crime Prevention Action Fund.

The funding will go to support the OKIB’s Indigenous Empowerment Through Cultural Reconnection and the syilx Safety Protocols project.

The project aims to addressing specific needs within the community though focusing on reconnecting cultural ties between youth and Elders and Knowledge Keepers; improving communication to address misinformation; and enhancing community safety to prevent crime. It also aims to foster cultural pride, ensure comprehensive communication, and ensure OKIB youth have access to health and wellness services.

“This investment will help youth build confidence, leadership, and a stronger sense of belonging through a cultural-grounded program,” Fuhr said during the announcement at the OKIB’s Head of the Lake Hall Tuesday, March 3.

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“By strengthening ties to syilx teachings, to culture, to land, and by learning from Elders and Knowledge Keepers, young people begin to lead. When young people have the right supports early on, they’re far more likely to make good decisions and build a stronger future for themselves.

“The reality is too many young people still face barriers that make success harder than it should be. Programs like this change that, they provide guidance, structure, and a real opportunity.”

Kayla Ochoa, OKIB Youth Leadership Council Chair, said at the announcement that the funding would be able to be used to “take action and share much needed resources and information directly with youth in our community and beyond.”

The Youth Leadership Council will be mainly in charge of what initiatives the funding supports, but some key focuses will be on education, prevention, awareness and advocacy through a number of initiatives.

“[The funds will support] youth conferences, where youth have a chance to gather and identify what their needs are, what they need to navigate this world,” Jami Tonasket, head of Community Safety for the OKIB’s Community Safety Department, said.

“[They will provide] education on mental health support and where to access that; youth gatherings and youth exchanges within our nation; and what I think is really important is really understanding who they are and what protocols, their identity, that will help make them stronger individuals. When you have that knowledge and know solidly who you are and have that sense of pride, you’re less likely to deviate off into other areas that might be harmful to you.”

Tonasket added that some of the action items under this program will involve connecting youth with Elders and Knowledge Keepers so they can learn more about their culture, language, ceremonies, history and connection to the land.

OKIB Chief Dan Wilson also said the program could see some cultural camps formed and led by Elders so they learn about the traditional stories, cultural sites and more.

“Our youth are going to be learning all of that and it will give them the confidence to face their troubles in the world, to find their path in the world,” Wilson explained.

“Especially nowadays, with the world being so troubled, we need to give out youth hope and a vision for the future.”

Wilson added it was “wonderful” to have this funding to support the local youth and that it reflected that people need to work together for the benefit of future generations.