Kelowna absent from Indigenous-led Okanagan water alliance
The plan covers 450,000 residents and aims to protect drinking-water sources and ecosystems for the next seven generations, organizers said.
- A syilx-led water initiative continues to advance across the Okanagan-Similkameen region, though the effort notably lacks participation from the cities of Kelowna and West Kelowna, representing a combined population of nearly 210,000 residents.
- In 2024, 19 regional leaders formalized the Okanagan-Similkameen Collaborative Leadership Table to manage waterways for a 250-year plan, uniting First Nations and municipalities to protect water for nearly 450,000 residents across three regional districts.
- Citing concerns that inclusion of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and Truth and Reconciliation Commission calls is "beyond the scope" of the table, Kelowna officials declined interviews regarding their absence.
- Environmental anthropologist John Wagner told IndigiNews it is "unfortunate" that the municipalities have "decided not to show leadership," arguing they possess a "huge responsibility" to participate in managing interconnected ecosystems.
- Penticton Mayor Julius Bloomfield remains optimistic about future participation, noting that while some are "not here yet," he believes they will join the Collaborative Leadership Table as regional leaders continue working toward shared water security goals.
15 Articles
15 Articles
Kelowna absent from Indigenous-led Okanagan water alliance - Creston Valley Advance
Nearly every municipality, regional district, and First Nation across the Okanagan and Similkameen watersheds has signed on to a syilx-led initiative to restore and protect the region’s waters for the next seven generations. But the multi-government effort is missing two key players: the cities of Kelowna (kiʔláwnaʔ) and West Kelowna, representing a combined population of nearly 210,000 people, according to B.C. Stats. Located in the Regional Di…
Kelowna absent from Indigenous-led Okanagan water alliance - Fort St. James Caledonia Courier
Nearly every municipality, regional district, and First Nation across the Okanagan and Similkameen watersheds has signed on to a syilx-led initiative to restore and protect the region’s waters for the next seven generations. But the multi-government effort is missing two key players: the cities of Kelowna (kiʔláwnaʔ) and West Kelowna, representing a combined population of nearly 210,000 people, according to B.C. Stats. Located in the Regional Di…
Kelowna absent from Indigenous-led Okanagan water alliance - Grand Forks Gazette
Nearly every municipality, regional district, and First Nation across the Okanagan and Similkameen watersheds has signed on to a syilx-led initiative to restore and protect the region’s waters for the next seven generations. But the multi-government effort is missing two key players: the cities of Kelowna (kiʔláwnaʔ) and West Kelowna, representing a combined population of nearly 210,000 people, according to B.C. Stats. Located in the Regional Di…
Kelowna absent from Indigenous-led Okanagan water alliance - Vanderhoof Omineca Express
Nearly every municipality, regional district, and First Nation across the Okanagan and Similkameen watersheds has signed on to a syilx-led initiative to restore and protect the region’s waters for the next seven generations. But the multi-government effort is missing two key players: the cities of Kelowna (kiʔláwnaʔ) and West Kelowna, representing a combined population of nearly 210,000 people, according to B.C. Stats. Located in the Regional Di…
Kelowna absent from Indigenous-led Okanagan water alliance - Northern Sentinel
Nearly every municipality, regional district, and First Nation across the Okanagan and Similkameen watersheds has signed on to a syilx-led initiative to restore and protect the region’s waters for the next seven generations. But the multi-government effort is missing two key players: the cities of Kelowna (kiʔláwnaʔ) and West Kelowna, representing a combined population of nearly 210,000 people, according to B.C. Stats. Located in the Regional Di…
Penticton Western News
Kelowna absent from Indigenous-led Okanagan water alliance
Nearly every municipality, regional district, and First Nation across the Okanagan and Similkameen watersheds has signed on to a syilx-led initiative to restore and protect the region’s waters for the next seven generations. But the multi-government effort is missing two key players: the cities of Kelowna (kiʔláwnaʔ) and West Kelowna, representing a combined population of nearly 210,000 people, according to B.C. Stats. Located in the Regional Di…
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