Lands
The OKIB Lands Department administers and manages OKIB tmxʷúlaʔxʷ (lands) under the Indian Act through participation in the Reserve Land and Environmental Management Program (RLEMP). This program supports First Nations in taking on greater responsibility for reserve land governance by carrying out land management authorities on behalf of Indigenous Services Canada (ISC).
The department oversees land transfers, Certificates of Possession, surveys, leasing, permits, rights-of-way, and land records, and assists Band members with land-related processes. To support these functions, the OKIB Lands Officer is appointed as a Commissioner for Taking Affidavits under the British Columbia Evidence Act, providing commissioning services for documents related to land transactions.
Our work ensures that the administration and stewardship of OKIB tmxʷúlaʔxʷ upholds Syilx values, complies with federal legislation, and supports the long-term interests of the community.
Our Team
Recreational Water Sampling is conducted in accordance with Health Canada recreational water standards guidelines. Komasket Park, Smitkens Beach and the Mudhole are included in the testing.
Water sampling focuses on E. coli levels, an important indicator of water safety. The maximum acceptable limit for E. coli in recreational water is less than 400 MPN/100 mL.
If conditions change, updates will be shared immediately.
OKIB’s Lands Department is responsible for developing and implementing reserve land management policies and practices. OKIB is participating in the Department of Indigenous Services’ Reserve Land and Environmental Management program (RLEMP).
The Okanagan People have long recognized the importance of sustainable relationships with the land. This understanding is expressed through oral history, particularly the chaptikwl, which recounts the teachings of the Four Food Chiefs. These teachings emphasize the interdependence between the Okanagan People, the Plant and Animal People, and the land itself.
The Okanagan Indian Band has recently finalized Land Use Plans.
These Plans outline our vision and guiding principles for land use on our community-held lands and are the result of extensive community engagement.
This page details the history, safety and current UXO work areas. For the safety of all please avoid the work areas.
- XO crews are currently working on the Madeline Lake Range.
This page details the history, safety and current UXO work areas. For the safety of all please avoid the work areas.
- XO crews are currently working on the Madeline Lake Range.
Resources
The lands department works with the Department of Indigenous Affairs Canada (DISC) to register documents related to OKIB reserve lands, in the neighbourhood of 330 instruments per year being an average of 1.3 per day. The due diligence related to registering instruments in the Indian Land Registry can be labour intensive and depending on the complexity, can take time to complete.
OKIB Reserve Lands include the following:
- Okanagan Indian Reserve #1 – 25,456 acres (10,302 hectares)
- Swan Lake Indian Reserve #4 – 79 acres (32.20 hectares)
- Harris Indian Reserve #3 – 160 acres (64.80 hectares)
- Priest Valley Indian Reserve #6 – 83 acres (33.6 hectares)
- Duck Lanke Indian reserve #7 – 442 acres (179.20 hectares)
- Otter Lake IR #2 – 61 acres (25 hectares)
OKIB Lands Survey process can be found at Land Survey Process of OKIB Lands.
Contact Information
Sherry Louis | Lands Director
sherry.louis@okanagan.org