Members of the Lower Similkameen Indian Band presented the Regional District Okanagan Similkameen Board of Directors with a work plan designed to bring the LSIB into the Similkameen Valley Watershed Study at the regional board regular meeting on Thursday, June 6.
LSIB Chief Rob Edwards, along with band members Tracy Lawlor, Gwen Bridge and Nelson Taylor were members of the delegation who delivered their proposal to establish an agreement and process that would “facilitate meaningful engagement with the RDOS on the Similkameen River Watershed Planning Process.”
Handing out a nine page work plan to the directors, Bridge provided an overview of the document, broken down into two sections:
1 - Development of a commitment for the band’s meaningful engagement in the study process.
The LSIB sees their commitment objectives in the study coming out of the identification of areas of common purpose between the band and the RDOS, developing a Letter of Agreement.
The band would also like to see the development of protocols and processes that define how the LSIB and regional district would implement a shared planning process as well.
2 - Incorporation of LSIB specific data to support the watershed plan that included objectives identified in the study’s first phase request for proposals.
Bridge told the board that the band has additional data that supports the watershed study plan that needs to be identified and integrated into the study. Work would also need to be done in order to merge the existing data already collected.
In presenting the band’s proposal, Gwen Bridge noted that the LSIB’s engagement in the water study had not been effective so far.
“We have no objection to the water plan,” she said, noting that the band would require resources and funding in order to engage meaningfully in the study.
Bridge told the board that the band had unique data that needed to be incorporated into the watershed plan, and wished to approach the study as partner “land use managers”, not stakeholders.
The report’s budget of $43,755 would cover the development of a Letter of Agreement, the definition of protocols and processes for LSIB meaningful engagement as well as the costs of data compilation and integration.
Director discussion over the presentation was varied.
Osoyoos Director Stu Wells asked where the Upper Similkameen Indian Band was in the discussion, prompting Chief Administrative Officer Bill Newell to reply that this was only the first stage of the process.
Electoral Area “H” Director Brad Hope noted the difficulty the Similkameen Valley Planning Society had getting all interested parties together.
“This is a great step forward,” he said, noting that the SVPS was absolutely committed to working together.”
West Bench Director Michael Brydon was concerned about the appropriatness of the delegation coming before the regional district board, CAO Newell reminding him that the funding for the SVPS watershed study came from the board, as did original Request for Proposal.
Area “B” Director George Bush asked how the budget would be funded, with Area “D” Director Tom Siddon expressing a desire to see meaningful engagement that would produce dividends years from now.
Area “G” Director Angelique Wood explained that the original study funding was awarded to the previous board. As a result of the subsequent election, the new SVPS board began the watershed study process before “meaningful conversation” could take place in a governmment to government relationship between the board and the LSIB.
LSIB Chief Edwards spoke near the conclusion of the presentation and discussion.
“This is the first of many such requests,” he advised the board. “All those things that impact us, you’re going to have us at the table.
We’re going to stand and fight. We’re not going to take this where you come in and make a decision on how water impacts our community. We’re not like you folks... we want to develop a relationship that talks about water, and we want to be in on that decision making process.”
Edwards further advised that any future decision to be made on land use would see the band at the table, concluding that this was the first of many such discussions to come.
Director Siddon commented on the judicial requirement for native consultation on matters involving traditional territory, noting that there was a “duty of consultation.”
He also noted that the LSIB younger generation was taking an interest in its future, commenting on the presence of younger members of the band in the delegation.
“I think it was George Bernard Shaw who said, ‘ The single biggest mistake about conversation is the thought that it’s taking place,’” comcluded Area “B” Director George Bush.
Further discussion regarding the LSIB work plan will be taking place at future SVPS and RDOS board meetings.