Providing strategic direction, influencing policy, and helping to ensure that Wellness programs are culturally grounded and responsive to community needs.
The ONA Wellness Committee is the primary advisory committee that guides the Okanagan Nation Alliance’s Wellness Department. Established by the Chiefs’ Executive Council (CEC), the committee ensures that wellness services are designed from a Syilx perspective and reflect the priorities of the seven Syilx member communities.
Role of the Committee
The Wellness Committee:
- Provides guidance for all operations of the ONA Wellness Department.
- Advises the Chiefs’ Executive Council on wellness-related priorities.
- Reviews funding opportunities and helps determine priorities for grants and initiatives.
- Advocates for equitable, high-quality wellness services across the Syilx Nation.
- Influences health and social policy at the Nation, regional, provincial, and federal levels.
- Supports the development of Nation-based wellness strategies and partnerships.
Strategic Priorities
The committee has identified four long-term strategic priorities that guide the Wellness Department’s work:
- Mental Wellness and Substance Misuse
- Increasing Access to Primary Care
- Elders Care
- Children and Youth
These priorities are supported by guiding principles that emphasize:
- Traditional wellness
- Syilx culture and values
- Relationship building
- Capacity building within communities
- Sustainable funding
- Strong health governance
Nation-based Planning
The Wellness Committee has guided the development of several Nation-wide frameworks and plans, including:
- Syilx Child & Family Plan – focused on restoring Syilx jurisdiction over child and family wellness.
- Syilx Health Plan – developed through community engagement to identify Nation health priorities.
- Syilx Youth Mental Health Plan – grounded in Syilx values while coordinating with broader health systems.
- Quality Assurance Model – based on the enowkin’wixw process of continuous reflection, collaboration, implementation, and evaluation.
Who sits on the committee?
The committee consists of representatives from each of the Syilx Okanagan member communities, bringing together many years of experience in health, social development, and community wellness. Members have a strong understanding of the unique strengths and challenges within their communities and work collectively on Nation-wide priorities.
| Community | Representatives |
| UNB | Duane Tom |
| OKIB | Viola Brown, Peter Vahlos & Wanda Duncan |
| WFN | Denise Clough & Kyle Allen |
| PIB | Jackie McPherson & Cricket Testawich |
| LSIB | Jamie Crow |
| OIB | Lindsay Kovacs & Veronica McGinnis |
| USIB | Lindsay Bishop |
Contact
Jennifer Lewis, Wellness Manager
Phone: 250-826-7844
Email: Wellness.Manager@syilx.org