July 31 Wildfires Update

FireSmart – Evacutation ChecklistWildfires can start easily and spread quickly. Knowing what to do in an emergency is critical to ensuring the health and safety of your community members and protecting your critical infrastructure. Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC), BC Region, has prepared this information package to help your community plan and prepare for wildfires that may threaten your community.

This document contains valuable information on preparedness, response, and recovery in the event of a wildfire impacting your community. Please read this information carefully and immediately review the emergency procedures identified by your community to deal with wildfires and possible evacuations. You are encouraged to connect with your regional district and regional EMBC office to receive information and updates on evacuation alerts and orders that may be issued for your area.

All wildfire sightings or the presence of smoke should be reported immediately to BC’s Wildfire Management Branch at 1-800-663-5555 or *5555 on most cellular phones. For emergency response support due to a wildfire or other hazardous event, your first point of contact is Emergency Management British Columbia (EMBC) at 1-800-663-3456. This connects to EMBC’s 24/7 Emergency Coordination Centre.

If you are injured or experiencing a life threatening incident, you should immediately call 9-1-1 or your local emergency number.

We encourage you to stay informed of wildfires in your area by visiting the websites below on a regular basis and registering for any notifications or bulletins available to you.

• UPDATED: Wildfire Safety Information Package
• Latest News from the BC’s Wildfire Management Branch: http://bcwildfire.ca/
• Review the Wildfires of Note regularly for the latest updates: http://bcwildfire.ca/hprScripts/WildfireNews/OneFire.asp
• Take note of the daily Fire Danger Rating Map issued by the Wildfire Management Branch: http://bcwildfire.ca/Weather/Maps/danger_rating.htm
• To find Air Quality Advisories issues by the BC Ministry of Environment: http://www.bcairquality.ca/
• For additional resources on Wildland Fire Preparedness, Prevention, and Current Situations, please visit EMBC’s Wildland Fire Information: http://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/safety/emergency-preparedness-response-recovery
• For information regarding Emergency Management Preparedness for individuals and families, visit Public Safety Canada’s website: http://www.getprepared.gc.ca

 

• Q&A- Wildfires and First Nation Communities
• FireSmart – Evacutation Checklist
• Evacuation Health Contacts Kamloops
• FNHA Disasters Five Tips
• FNHA Wildfire Information Evacuees
• FNHA First Nations Health Benefits Mental Health Provider List
• FNHA FNHB Guide To Mental Health Counselling Services 

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Be advised that during the summer months between June and September, the Okanagan Nation Alliance (ONA) will be conducting annual research and monitoring along the Okanagan Lake and River system (including connecting lakes and tributaries). Similar to previous years, sampling activities will involve/occur: in-lake and along shore lines at various times during the day/night from […]

The Okanagan Nation Alliance (ONA) Fisheries Research Team is conducting a 2017 fish behaviour study of Okanagan River Sockeye.  HOW TO ENTER/HELP If you catch a Sockeye salmon in the Okanagan River and Osoyoos Lake, please check to see if the fish has a tag attached under the large top fin or inside the cavity […]

The Okanagan Nation proudly recognizes the 38 Syilx participants from across the Territory who will be competing in the 2017 North American Indigenous Games (NAIG). All of these competitors demonstrate a high level of dedication and excellence in their sport. They have further exhibited a strong commitment to their participation and representation at NAIG through […]

From June 19 to July 3, the Okanagan Nation Alliance (ONA) has Ron Ned (Upper Nicola Band) and Mic Werstuik (Westbank First Nation) to help initiate xᵂminaʔ (trout) harvest in Pennask Lake for communal distribution.  Historically about 45,000-50,000 rainbow trout were harvested yearly from Pennask Lake. This harvest was abruptly stopped in the mid 1920’s with privatization of most of Pennask […]

The Provincial Regional Emergency Operation Centre (PREOC) is leading the Province’s recovery actions. The Emergency Management BC’s (EMBC) Interim Provincial of Sandbags Policy, which was distributed to Local Governments (includes local authorities, First Nation communities and their respective Band Councils) on June 17 provides the following information: For the 2017 Runoff Season, sandbag disposal will […]

There are many ways to celebrate Syilx pride or show support this National Aboriginal Day. Events and Celebrations include: Okanagan Indian Band: https://okib.ca/calendar/event/aboriginal-day-celebration-1 En’owkin Centre: http://www.castanet.net/news/Penticton/199421/Aboriginal-Day-this-week#.WUgyikvs3mc.email Kelowna Friendship Center: http://www.kfs.bc.ca/news-events-2/national-aboriginal-day  

It was recently reported that Okanagan Lake water level was not lowered sooner due to the decision to protect fish stocks (Global News, June 9, 2017). Unfortunately this position is out of context and missing key information, particularly in regards to the use of the Fish Water Management Tool in current Okanagan water management. Fish […]

Westbank, BC Syilx Okanagan Territory: From June 15-20th, 2017, a series of five Salmon Ceremonies will take place throughout the Columbia Basin. These Salmon Ceremonies empower Syilx Okanagan people throughout the Territory, providing the opportunity to both honor their ancestors and continue to conduct ceremony for the successful return of the salmon. All locations are […]

Okanagan Nation Territory (Westbank, British Columbia): Starting June 6, 2017, the Okanagan Nation Alliance’s (ONA) kł cp̓əlk̓ stim̓  Hatchery will be providing sockeye salmon fry for releases taking place at 6 Mile Creek, Trout Creek, and Mission Creek. The releases of 230,000 fry are in recognition and celebration of the Syilx peoples’ continued successful efforts […]

WHEN: Wednesday, May 17th, 2017. 9:30am – 11:00am WHERE: Penticton Channel, off Hwy 97 & Green Mountain Road, Penticton, BC. Please drive slowly. Parking will be available along the left side of the Dyke and behind the Save on Gas station. Due to higher than normal water levels we are asking people to be particularly […]

WHAT: The Annual Spirit of Syilx Youth Unity Run will begin at Blanket Creek Provincial Park, heading north to Revelstoke, on to and around BC Hydro’s Mica Dam. In total the Run will go through 309 km of the Okanagan Territory, ending at Martha Creek Provincial Park. We are estimating around 120 Syilx youth to […]

The National Inquiry has extended the deadline for receiving Standing Applications and applications for funding related to standing to Monday May 1, 2017, at 5:00 pm Pacific Daylight Time. The National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls is now accepting applications for standing from interested parties. There is also an opportunity for […]

First, we want to thank our communities within the Okanagan for their continued support. Specifically, we want to thank those who came forward with information when Roxanne first went missing. Thank you to all those who showed their support during the “Prayer Walk” while Roxanne was still missing. We believe the added pressure from community support finally drove the Robotti’s to confess their crime. Thank you to everyone who organized and attended rallies at the Penticton courthouse during the bail hearing and preliminary hearing. Thank you to all the organizers of the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women’s annual vigil on February 14th. Additional thanks to the UBCO Women’s Resource Centre for holding Tea Talks on Missing and Murdered Indigenous women. These events are crucial for raising awareness and empowering Indigenous voices. Additional thanks to the Osoyoos Indian Band and the Okanagan Nation Transition Emergency House (ONTAH). Also, special thanks to Okanagan Nation Alliance emergency response team for their support throughout the trial.

Syilx Okanagan Nation Territory, Westbank BC:  The Okanagan Nation Alliance (ONA) is welcoming the provincial court’s March 27, 2017 Desautel decision. The decision arose as a result of hunting charges laid by the Province against Rick Desautel in 2010. The court acquitted Desautel and held that the descendants of the Sinixt continue to exist and […]

From March 19-24 2017 Syilx Basketball, the Okanagan Nation Alliance (ONA) and Westbank First Nation (WFN) will welcome over 700 athletes to Okanagan Nation territory for the annual, provincial, Junior All Native Basketball Tournament (JANT). This is the largest First Nations youth sporting event in BC. Alongside the current tournament, JANT is will also be […]

As Terra Madre Day 2016 nears the Okanagan Nation Alliance (ONA) would like to take the opportunity to thank Slow Food Thompson Okanagan, Slow Food Canada, Slow Food Turtle Island and Slow Food International’s continued support in sharing the story of the return our sc’win and advocating for indigenous food sovereignty in general.

At the core of our connection with Slow Food is a set of shared values around the deeper significance of food and food systems, not only for sustenance, but for the well-being and resilience of people, cultures and ecologies. The key tenants of Slow Food “good clean and fair” food resonates with our indigenous perspective and experience, particularly regarding social justice, conviviality and the sacred nature of food that connects all of us. On Terre Madre Day the Syilx Nation acknowledge the importance and significance of this day set aside for reflecting upon our actions. We stand with our sisters and brothers around the world in our hard work advancing food security efforts for our beautiful peoples, beautiful lands, resources, and sacred waters. We look forward to collectively furthering these practices in the year to come.

November 23, 2016  Stq’aˀtxʷ niw’t, Okanagan Nation Territory: The Okanagan Nation Chiefs Executive Council welcomes the much anticipated report from Grand Chief Ed John, Special Advisor on Aboriginal Child Welfare titled Indigenous Resilience, Connectedness and Reunification – from Root Causes to Root Solutions presented to Premier Clark, Minister Cadieux and Indigenous Leadership on November 21, […]

Hartman Lutz chaired the North American Studies Program at the University of Greifswald until March 2011. He gained his PhD in Philosphy from the University of Tubingen in 1975. Professor Lutz will reflect on his experiences working in Indigenous Studies and speak about and screen his film Trapped in a Human Zoo, a 2016 documentary about […]