More discussions are needed about the National Park before decisions are made is the stance of newly re-elected Lower Similkameen Indian Band Chief Keith Crow.
Crow was re-elected Monday night for a second-term. He earned 103 votes over opponent Robert Edward who received 39 votes.
“There needs to be a lot of consultation and talking with the (LSIB) community and the community at-large. We need to really understand what this is going to look like it has the ability to impact ranchers and our ranchers and it isn’t just them there’s ATVers and hunters. There’s a lot to be discussed about this and I want all of us in the valley to be having those discussions,” he said following the election at the LSIB office Monday night.
Crow also noted he was hoping to build better relationships with the community at-large over the next four years and also find better ways to communicate with fellow band members and outside.
“We try to get our information out there but what we’re finding is that not everyone hears us in the same way. Not everyone is on Facebook. Not everyone can make it it to our meetings. So we want to find other ways to get things out there so everyone hears us,” he said.
Crow said the band is focused on developing opportunities for band members and the community at-large.
He didn’t reference any specific opportunities on the horizon but noted construction projects that created jobs such as the upcoming gas bar were on the radar.
“We have a lot of opportunity here and we’re going to look into that,” he said.
The gas bar broke ground a few week ago. Construction is expected soon depending on weather.
Crow said a positive for the band came last week when ancestral remains unearthed in February 2016 were finally put back to rest.
“We held a private ceremony to put them back. It was good to finally be able to do that,” he said.
An archeology report is expected in the New Year detailing how many fragments and artifacts were found on the site.
Also re-elected Monday night was Eliza Terbasket. Eliza Terbasket received 57 votes, while Laureen Terbasket earned 47 votes and Terry Terbasket 23 votes.
Both Crow and Eliza Terbasket were voted in for a four-year term.
The other positions on council will be voted on in two years. By doing this the band always has experienced people at the council table.