syilx Community Safety Office
The syilx Community Safety office is a project based, grant funded department that receives funding from Public Safety Canada. To read our detailed reports click here.
Our Why
The syilx Community Safety Team unite to be good Ancestors that strengthen our community identity and belonging, so we are able to live out our thoughts, visions and dreams.
Our Vision
To have a healthy, thriving and safe community that displays and acknowledges responsibility for themselves, each other and the Land.
Our team seeks to enhance deeper understandings and practices of sqilxʷcawt (Our Native Ways) cultural values. We take a collaborative approach to community safety, focusing on:
Youth Leadership Council
Cultural Safety Education
Indigenous Policing Services
Community Consultative Group
Probation Services
Syilx Community Safety Office offer workshops and resources to enhance community safety awareness. We cover topics such as legal rights, mental health, cultural safety, understanding and confidence, leadership training, and issues such as racism, cyberbullying and youth gang recruitment.
Our team is committed to direct advocacy, ensuring individuals receive the support they need within hospitals, schools, and from various service providers.
We offer assistance in:
Submitting non-emergent police reports
Administrative paperwork
Coordinating resource needs
Basic meals and hygiene support
Debriefing services following incidents
What Happens Upstream Initiative
To address the pressing need for a dedicated platform that empowers youth, the What Happens Upstream initiative includes the coordination and hosting of the annual Youth Conference, ensuring active participation from a diverse range of youth groups.
These conferences focus on pivotal topics with the aim of empowering young people.
Crime prevention
Mental health
Skills building
The Youth Leadership Council facilitates these discussions to equip youth with the tools and knowledge necessary to make meaningful contributions to society while highlighting syilx cultural values.
This initiative is a commitment to celebrate the strength and unity of the Youth, who, like ntytyix, rely on collective wisdom and shared vision to overcome obstacles.
Without the support and insight from their community and peers, they risk facing the currents alone. Together, we create impactful changes that foster collaboration and guidance, ensuring our youth are equipped to lead us into a vibrant future.
We seek to address the critical issues facing young people with a focus on prevention, education, advocacy and cultural respect.
Our committee is a vehicle for diverse youth and service provider perspectives. The Youth Leadership Council meet quarterly and require representation from participating organizations, including one staff member and one to two youth participants.
Members assist in organizing the annual What Happens Upstream Youth Leadership conference and participate in cultural safety learning. They serve as ambassadors, promoting awareness and engagement within their networks and contributing innovative ideas, sharing updates on community activities, and reviewing programs to offer constructive feedback.
For more information on our What Happens Upstream Initiative check out our Reports.
Youth Leadership Council
Youth Leadership Council provides a platform for syilx Youth ages 14-25 to actively participate in decision-making processes, advocate for the needs and interests of the Youth community and contribute to the overall development and empowerment of syilx Youth within the Okanagan Indian Band.
Vision
Create a supportive and inclusive environment where Indigenous Youth can thrive, develop leadership skills, and actively contribute to the betterment of our community.
Mission
Represent the voices and interests of Youth, promote cultural preservation and revitalization, address issues affecting Youth, and collaborate with community leaders and organizations to create positive change.
In our logo, the salmon embodies the strength and resilience of our Youth today. Like salmon fighting their way upstream, our young people navigate challenges, clearing a path through muddy waters. Their journey is not just about survival; it is a mission to make way for those who will come after them.
The egg represents future generations — the People to be — nurtured and protected by the knowledge and experiences of those who came before. As the salmon lay their eggs, they leave behind knowledge, strength, and resilience, ensuring the survival of their kin. This act symbolizes how today’s youth carry the wisdom of their Ancestors and, through their struggles, lay the foundation for the future.
The salmon’s journey is an act of love and sacrifice. Despite the challenges, they persevere, driven by the deep-seated instinct to ensure the survival of their species. Similarly, our youth today are forging a path, overcoming obstacles, and striving to create a better world for the generations to come.
This logo is a tribute to the enduring strength of salmon and the powerful metaphor it offers. It honours the determination of our Youth to create a brighter future and the legacy they leave for the next generation, ensuring the cycle of life continues.
For more information or how to get involved with the Youth Leadership Council of the Okanagan Indian Band, please contact the Youth Leadership Coordinator.
Kayla has been a devoted member of the Youth Leadership Council 2021 and is honoured to serve as the Chair for the 2025-2026 term. Born in her homelands, Vernon, BC, she currently lives in her community. Her family includes her parents, Anne and Brian Ochoa, her grandmother, Penny Lawrence, and her late step-grandfather, Alvin Shaffer.
As a proud syilx multimedia artist, Kayla showcases her talents through canvas paintings, digital art, beading, and mural work, some of which can be seen at the OKIB’s Public Safety office. She is also deeply passionate about land-based learning and cultural confidence, believing that connecting with the land is vital for healing.
Kayla enjoys activities such as hiking with her dog Honey-Bear, gathering and harvesting, and continually expanding her knowledge of traditional plants and medicines.
In her role as Chair of the Youth Leadership Council, Kayla’s primary goal is to offer guidance, education, and support to the Youth in her community. She is particularly dedicated to advocating for mental health awareness and education, possessing knowledge in suicide prevention and mental health workshops.
Eager to gain more tools to assist those in need, Kayla is committed to creating safe spaces for Youth to share their voices and believes there is always more to learn.
Emmarie is a dedicated Youth Leadership Council Co-chair and a graduate of W.L. Seaton High School. She holds a certificate in Indigenous early childhood education and has been actively involved in hockey for over ten years. Emmarie has attended the RCMP academy in Vernon and gained mentorship through the Indigenous Youth Leadership academy at the RCMP depot in Saskatchewan.
A passionate advocate for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG2S), she takes part in the annual Red Dress Day walk. Emmarie is an exceptional public speaker and MC’d the 2024 What Happens Upstream Youth Conference and has participated in the SD22 Trustee Forum, addressing the challenges faced by Indigenous students. Her goal is to continue developing her skills through training and workshops alongside the Youth Leadership Council, focusing on helping Youth foster a sense of belonging and advocate for a safer community.
Reed is an avid sports lover, especially when it comes to baseball. He grew up playing the sport and remains an active participant in the Vernon Men’s League. Recently, Reed graduated from W.L. Seaton High School with his diploma and earned a certificate from UBC’s Indigenous Summer Leadership Camp.
He currently resides in his homelands, Vernon, living with his mother, Keona Joe, and his brother, Adrian Wilson. Reed cherishes his connection to his culture, whether it’s through listening to the language, spending time with elders, or enjoying the land.
Saasin is a recent graduate of W.L. Seaton High School and a dedicated member of the Youth Leadership Council. Her plan is to attend post-secondary to veterinary medicine. She recently worked alongside OKIB Youth at the Komasket Youth summer camp and traveled to the Uze De’Yah Youth cultural exchange camp in Takla Narrows.
Saasin offers valuable insights and cultural knowledge from her travels throughout her life. One of her initiatives is for the Youth Leadership Council to travel to as many Youth conferences as possible, including the World Indigenous Peoples’ Conference on Education (WIPCE) 2025, in Tāmaki Makaurau, Auckland.
Akasha is a bright, empathetic, and inquisitive individual who has been a member of the Youth Leadership Council since 2023. She has attended two conferences hosted by Gathering Our Voices and is currently working towards her n’syilxcən certificate with Nicola Valley Institute.
Akasha enjoys spending time with her pets, working on creative projects, and learning new things. A goal she wishes to see achieved by being a part of the Youth Leadership Council is encouraging other Youth and seeing them succeed.
Cruz is an active member on the Youth Leadership Council of the Okanagan Indian Band (OKIB). He is a Junior Firefighter with the OKIB fire department and a recent graduate of W.L. Seaton High School.
Residing in the OKIB community, he has a strong connection to syilx culture and actively participates in hand drumming with the Birch Creek Drum Group. Skookum about amplifying the voices of Youth, Cruz demonstrates leadership by engaging in workshops and collecting feedback on council initiatives.
His goal is to tackle systemic barriers faced by Indigenous Youth by linking them with mentors in a culturally safe setting.
Shelbe is soft-spoken, thoughtful and creative. She is also a huge fan of anime, her purple sweater and cats, and one of her favourite pastimes is drawing and reading. She is a recent graduate of W.L Seaton High Schol and has been a member of the Youth Leadership Council since 2023. Shelbe has obtained a certificate in Peer Support & Crisis Intervention training with Gurleen from Canadian Mental Health Association and has attended the 2025 Gathering our Voices Conference in Kamloops. Shelbe is interested in developing her leadership skills that will equip her to help the Youth in community.
Gabriel is kind, thoughtful, and a super supportive friend. He is also a huge fan of anime which runs in the family! Gabriel is currently a student at W.L. Seaton High School and resides in the OKIB community and has been a Youth Leadership Council member since 2025. Gabriel has attended three Gathering our Voices Youth Leadership conferences and has obtained a certificate in Peer Support & Crisis Intervention training with Gurleen from the Canadian Mental Health Association. Gabriel is interested in expanding his skill set and participating in leadership training, especially when it comes to learning anything new that involves leveling up your mental health.
Youth Leadership Council Coordinator
YLC@okanagan.org
Cultural Safety Education
Cultural Safety Education offers a two-day workshop on Cultural Safety Education that highlights:
- Syilx Identity
- Pre-contact
- Canada’s Hidden History
- Understanding Truth & Reconciliation
This training is hosted in the wellness space at our office. We offer certificates of participation for those who complete the two-day sessions.
Cultural Safety Education strives to provide a welcoming space for all people to learn and reflect on the impacts of colonization and the strength and integrity of syilx peoples. This education is open to OKIB members and staff, community members, local organizations and local businesses. Our hope is to support building culturally respectful spaces for OKIB members, wherever they receive services.
“I really enjoyed the circle that ensured that everyone had a chance to speak. This prompted authentic reflection even when it was difficult to share with others. The process of listening to others and speaking with intention. The meaningfulness behind the training was felt deeply and I want to continue to do that in my day-to-day life”
CSE Participant
If you would like to book a workshop outside of these times, please contact us.
Community Safety Project Coordinator
CSPC@okanagan.org
This toolkit is a heartfelt prayer for the safety and well-being of all sqilx’w impacted by ongoing colonial violence our community continues to face. It is our responsibility to collectively contribute to your belonging of safety in our homelands.
Community Consultative Group
The Community Consultative Group (CCG) is a committed team of OKIB members who work alongside the syilx Community Safety team and Indigenous Policing Services (RCMP) to support a safer, more connected community.
Together, the CCG acts as a liaison role between the community and the RCMP. Many volunteers have been part of this group for years, bringing local knowledge, lived experience, and guidance that help shape priorities and responses across the community. We provide a space for members to share concerns, identify solutions, and strengthen relationships.
Our work supports public safety education, youth and Elder initiatives, communication, enforcement when needed, traffic management, and ongoing relationship-building across all areas of the community. The dedication of CCG volunteers helps keep the community informed, involved, and supported and their efforts reflect shared values and the commitment to creating a safer and more resilient place for everyone.
CCG attendees meet to discuss community priorities, including concerns, projects, events, gaps in policing, and other matters impacting the OKIB community. Through collaboration with the RCMP, the group works to identify solutions and address concerns to support a safer and stronger community.
All meetings will take place at the n’kmaplqs Wellness Space (118 Head of the Lake Rd.)
The meetings will be held from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm.
- Wednesday – August 19, 2026
- Tuesday – October 13, 2026
- Tuesday – December 15, 2026
Cst. Neil Horne (RCMP), Indigenous Policing Services Liaison
250-571-0219 | neil.horne@rcmp-grc.gc.ca
Indigenous Policing Services
Indigenous Policing Services is a comprehensive initiative focused on enhancing community safety and engagement through various priorities.
Our key components include:
- Traffic enforcement (speeding and impaired driving)
- Crime prevention efforts that involve collaboration with public safety initiatives.
The services collaborate on the enforcement of by-laws and provides community education on critical issues such as drugs, gangs, trafficking, mental health, and criminal offences.
Public safety awareness is promoted through workshops, social media, and other communication platforms. Elder engagement involves participation in events and safety initiatives, while youth engagement includes involvement in activities and safety education in schools and daycares.
We emphasize community relationship building by, participating in events, offering training opportunities, and working with community members to address their safety concerns.
Cst. Neil Horne (RCMP), Indigenous Policing Services Liaison
250-571-0219 | neil.horne@rcmp-grc.gc.ca
Probation Services
Probation Services support clients in successfully completing their term of community supervision and fulfilling the requirements of court-issued conditions in a way that’s culturally relevant, meaningful for the individual, and in a way that contributes to the clients healing journey.
Our services assist in connecting clients to resources, helping clients to establish communication with other agencies, answering questions about community supervision orders, and collaborating with clients who want to make change.
The Probation Officer wears two hats:
- Administering orders their clients receive from court
- Offer support to clients who are on community supervision orders.
Our Probation Officer is available at the syilx Community Safety Office every Tuesday from 8:30 – 12:00.
Leya Borhaven
250-649-4419 | leya.borhaven@gov.bc.ca