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Chief Byron Louis and members of OKIB’s Recovery Team meet for the hand-off of keys to the new owners. Left to right, Chief Byron Louis; Recovery Housing Lead Al Loke; Recovery Manager Jenelle Brewer and Case Manager Lane Brewer. (Photo courtesy of OKIB)
By Liam Verster
Forced out by wildfire

Displaced OKIB members finally return home

Feb 15, 2022 | 4:45 PM

Two members of the Okanagan Indian Band (OKIB) are returning home, months after the White Rock Lake Wildfire destroyed their properties.

The band secured two modular homes, and on Tuesday, Feb. 15, the two displaced members moved in.

“On behalf of OKIB members and Council, I would like to welcome our band members back to the reserve,” said Byron Louis, Chief of the Okanagan Indian Band.

“The return of the first of our band members to their homes is a step towards a new beginning.”

OKIB has also secured fully insulated, self-contained mini-homes for more band members and their families, who will be moving in over the coming weeks.

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The mini-homes, which are suitable for use through all four seasons, have been set up at the families’ properties.

The return of the band members to the community comes as the Site Clean Up project has been completed. Debris left over from the wildfire has been cleared, and the properties have been prepared for the construction of new homes.

The evacuation orders for the OKIB were fully rescinded on September 7, 2021.

A GoFundMe campaign has also been established to support any band members displaced due to the wildfire.

by Liam Verster
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