REGIONAL DISTRICT OF OKANAGAN-SIMILKAMEEN

101 Martin Street Penticton, BC V2A 5J9

Regional Community to Community Forum Program

Final Report Union of British Columbia Municipalities

March 14, 2013

PREAMBLE:

The purpose of this report is to provide the Union of British Columbia Municipalities with a summary of the activities of the Community to Community forum held between representatives of the Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen, Osoyoos Indian Band, Lower Similkameen Indian Band, Penticton Indian Band, Okanagan Nation Alliance and member municipalities. The intent of the forum was to bring together First Nations and local government community leaders in the South Okanagan to discuss common goals and opportunities.

OBJECTIVE:

The South Okanagan Community to Community Forum was held on March 14, 2013. The forum provided a time and place for dialogue on issues of mutual interest and concern and the need to improve upon the working relationships of all communities in the region. The main objectives of the forum were to:

create a unified environment in which to establish common ground on future goals and priorities at the regional scale;

develop communication that fosters cooperation and agreement on managing the diverse interests in the South Okanagan Similkameen;

provide clarity on opportunities in the communities;

gain insight into the interests of each participating group;

be educated in the importance of ceremony and protocol;

exchange knowledge about First Nations diversity and governance structure; and municipal and regional district governance structure;

set the framework for further discussion and meetings.

SUMMARY Reigniting discussion about an outstanding protocol agreement quickly became the focus of the day, which saw various senior political and administrative leaders from the Osoyoos, Penticton, and Lower Similkameen Indian Bands, the Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen, City of Penticton, the towns of Osoyoos, Oliver and Princeton, the District of Summerland and the Village of Keremeos in attendance. As well, Grand Chief Stewart Phillip, representing the Okanagan Nation Alliance was in attendance and addressed the participants. The Upper Similkameen Indian Band respectfully declined the invitation to participate. Although the parties came together in 2006/2007 to negotiate the agreement; discussions fell dormant and it was never signed off by the Regional District.

The protocol agreement commits the parties to, among other things, a shared stewardship of regional resources for the benefit of future generations, building a trusting relationship to develop future agreements on social, economic and environmental goals and establishing a working relationship that respects the governance structure of each organization.

At the forum, the Regional District committed to revisit the agreement and made good on that pledge by adopting a motion at their April 4 Board meeting to enter into the agreement. The Board also discussed inviting the Upper Similkameen Indian Band to become a signatory to the agreement as well. A signing ceremony will be planned in the coming weeks. This Community to Community forum was set up by the Regional District in an effort to renew dialogue between various levels of government and First Nations in the South Okanagan-Similkameen region. With the participants speaking honestly about their expectations for a better working relationship, and the upcoming signing of the agreement, this meeting more than met its goals. The Regional District wishes to thank UBCM for their matching funding support provided through the First Nations Relations Program. Regional District of Okanagan Similkameen Christy Malden, Deputy Corporate Officer Nona Lynn, Administration Clerk Zoe Kirk, Coordinator 101 Martin Street Penticton, BC V2A 7H4 Phone: 250-492-0237 www.rdos.bc.ca

PARTICIPANTS 65 participants attended the South Okanagan Similkameen Community to Community Forum. OKANAGAN NATION ALLIANCE

Grand Chief Stewart Phillip

PENTICTON INDIAN BAND

Chief Jonathan Kruger

Clint Gabriel, Councillor

Kevin Gabriel, Councillor

Inez Pierre, Councillor

Travis Kruger, Councillor

Greg Gabriel, Band Administrator

LOWER SIMILKAMEEN INDIAN BAND

Chief Robert Edward,

Nelson Talio, Band Chief Assistant

OSOYOOS INDIAN BAND

Chief Clarence Louie

Theresa Gabriel, Councillor

Tony Baptiste, Councillor

Derek Bryson

Charlotte Stringham

Brian Titus, Chief Operating Officer RDOS BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Chair Dan Ashton – Mayor of Penticton

Vice Chair Mark Pendergraft, Director – Electoral Area “A”

George Bush, Director – Electoral Area “B”

Allan Patton, Director – Electoral Area “C”

Karla Kozakevich, Director – Electoral Area “E”

Michael Brydon, Director – Electoral Area “F”

Angelique Wood, Director – Electoral Area “G”

Brad Hope, Director – Electoral Area “H”

Garry Litke, Councillor – City of Penticton

Ron Hovanes, Mayor – Town of Oliver

Manfred Bauer, Mayor – Village of Keremeos

Stu Wells, Mayor – Town of Osoyoos

Robert Dennis, Alternate Director – Electoral Area “G”

MUNICIPAL COUNCILS

Wesley Hopkin, City of Penticton

Peter Waterman, District of Summerland

Linda Larson, Town of Oliver

Jack Bennest, Town of Oliver

Dave Mattes, Town of Oliver

Michael Ryan, Town of Osoyoos

Gary Thielmann, Village of Keremeos

Kim Maynard, Town of Princeton

Doug Pateman, Town of Princeton

RDOS MANAGEMENT

Bill Newell, Chief Administrative Officer

Christy Malden, Deputy Corporate Officer

Donna Butler, Development Services Manager

Doug French, Public Works Manager

Mark Woods, Community Services Manager MEMBER MUNICIPALITIES MANAGEMENT / STAFF

Annette Antoniak, City Manager, City of Penticton

Tom Szalay, Chief Administrative Officer, Town of Oliver

Barry Romanko, Chief Administrative Officer, Town of Osoyoos

Phil Armstrong, Planning Technician, Town of Osoyoos OTHER GOV'T (MLA, MP, Premier)

Wayne Desharnais, EA to MLA Bill Barisoff

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT REPS

John Powell, Economic Development Officer – Electoral Area “D”

OTHER AGENCIES

Gerry Karr, President, Okanagan Similkameen Healthy Living Society

Cpl Martin Trudeau, Supervisor of Penticton Detachment Rural and First Nations Policing

Cst Janet Terbasket, Penticton Detachment First Nations Policing

Cst Sue Harper, Osoyoos Detachment First Nations Policing

Sgt Mike Gallagher, Detachment Commander Keremeos

Doreen Olson, South Okanagan Similkameen National Parks Network

Laverne Cormier, First Nations Forester, MOFLNR

James Littley, Office and Project Manager, OBWB

Darwin Horning, UBC Okanagan

TABLE HOSTS & RECORDERS

Jade Jagar-Kodyk, Lower Similkameen Indian Band

Sammy Louie, Osoyoos Indian Band

Charleen Roberds, Penticton Indian Band

Zoe Kirk, Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen

Nona Lynn, Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen

Lorraine Williston, City of Penticton

Lisa Richter, Lower Similkameen Indian Band

Levonda Nelson, Penticton Indian Band Contracted Facilitators

Donna Sellers & Joan Chess

AGENDA

SOUTH OKANAGAN SIMILKAMEEN COMMUNITY TO COMMUNITY FORUM

March 14, 2013 8:30 am – 9:00 am Registration

9:00 am – 9:30 am Opening and Welcome

Opening Prayer - Modesta Betterton, Osoyoos Indian Band

Opening and Welcome - Chief Clarence Louie, Osoyoos Indian Band

Welcome - Mayor Stu Wells, Town of Osoyoos

Opening Comments - Chair Dan Ashton, Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen

9:30 am – 9:45 am Importance of Ceremony and Protocol

Chief Robert Edward, Lower Similkameen Indian Band

9:45 am – 11:00 am Breakout Session - Introductions and Recognitions

Led by facilitators: Donnella Sellars and Joan Chess

11:00 am – 11:15 am BREAK

11:15 am – 11:45 am First Nations Diversity and Governance Structure

Chief Jonathan Kruger, Penticton Indian Band

11:45 am – 12:15 pm Municipal and Regional District Governance Structure

Bill Newell, Chief Administrative Officer, Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen

12:15 pm – 1:15 pm LUNCH First Nations inspired lunch

1:15 pm – 1:30 pm Okanagan Similkameen Healthy Living Society

Dr. Gerry Karr, President, Okanagan Similkameen Healthy Living Society

1:30 pm – 1:45 pm Introduction to Afternoon Schedule

Donnella Sellars

1:45 pm – 3:00 pm Breakout Session – Discussion Topics

Led by facilitators: Donnella Sellars and Joan Chess

3:00 pm – 3:15 pm BREAK

3:15 pm – 3:45 pm Highlights of Discussion Topics Led by facilitators: Donnella Sellars and Joan Chess

3:45 pm – 4:10 pm Closing Comments – Thoughts of the Day Led by facilitators: Donnella Sellars and Joan Chess

4:10 pm – 4:20 pm Evaluation

4:20 pm – 4:30 pm Closing Prayer

Modesta Betterton, Osoyoos Indian Band

BREAKOUT SESSION TOPICS AND DISCUSSION

HOW MIGHT WE WORK TOGETHER TO MEET THE NEEDS OF OUR COMMUNITIES?

- Understanding each other and learning each other’s needs - Identify common needs i.e.: health - Establish protocols - Resource and information sharing - How we can improve on what we have already - Willingness to move forward - First Nations can be an actual voting partner in the RDOS - Identify common wins - Learn from mistakes - Follow up on what is being said - Communicate face to face not just when there are problems. - Meet on a regular schedule - Strategic planning sessions - Fun gatherings such as golfing tournament or hunting - Recognizing other policies both First Nation and Regional - Recognizing challenges - Give voice - Education - Community involvement in community boards, pow wows, rodeo - Incorporate traditional knowledge into provincial education system - Commitment - Protocol - More First Nation signs off reserves

WHAT ARE THE CHALLENGES THAT AFFECT OUR ABILITY TO WORK TOGETHER? - Complex governance structure - Too many levels, imbalance of power - Lack of time and lack of staff - Short of extra resources - Lack of money and funding - Political sensitivities - Lack of trust and understanding - Lack of information i.e.: history, sharing, perception - Lack of priority, cooperation, need common goals - Different schedules, need to pre-set meetings - Legislative processes - Land use planning – can they be layered together? - No time for vision planning - Each region/municipality have different priorities - Cultural differences – fear of change - Prejudice

WHAT OPPORTUNITIES ARE THERE FOR SHARED APPROACHES? - Funding - Taxation - Roles/titles/protocol - Learning about each other - Objectives - Collaboration i.e.: fire protection - Economic Development – breakout of artificial ‘areas’ - Public awareness - Clarification who/why - Access – land use - Relation/names/’places’ in community - Recreation - Climate i.e.: water and air quality - Land use - Education - Healthy living - Economic Development - Lobbying Sr. Government - Tourism - Funding applications - Arts and culture - Grants - Industrial parks - Service delivery i.e.: water, sewer - Heritage strategy - History - Trails - Land Use Planning – RDOS strategy i.e.: mapping, overlap, arc - Protection i.e.: lands, culture - Foresight.ca i.e.: GIS mapping

WHAT ELSE DO WE NEED TO KNOW IN ORDER TO BUILD OUR RELATIONSHIPS? - Learning about each other - Introductions - Grass roots movement - History of traditional territory - Protocols i.e.: traditional, bureaucratic - Mediator - Active listening - Define common goals - Define issues (local) - Transparency - Action plan - Need to know the impartial history that brought us to where we are today - Working knowledge and etiquette - Focus from both sides of the governing bodies i.e.: LSIB Chief & Council and Town of

Keremeos Mayor and Council - Legal History - Communication Sharing (email, newsletter distribution) - Learning about each territory and boundary within the Okanagan Territory

HOW CAN WE SUPPORT EACH OTHER IN TAKING THE NEXT STEPS?

- Keeping communication - Set up meeting - Maintain relationships - Committing to taking the steps together - Have mediation - Getting it completed to have the foundation on making decisions - Thinking outside the box, going to each other for ideas and process - Understanding shared history - Land based learning project; cultural education exchange - Build the relationships then comes agreement - Understanding - Understanding each other’s needs - Protecting what we share - Jurisdiction i.e.: what we have control over - Fresh start, new approach - Celebrate common successes - Understanding each other’s responsibilities - Other policies and moving forward i.e.: not reinventing the wheel - Be true to your word i.e.: accountable - Sign the protocol - Listen to each other - Another C2C in reasonable amount of time - “Similkameen Valley Planning Society” forum once a month

WHAT ARE OUR SHARED INTERESTS? - Water i.e.: drinking water - Infrastructure - Wildlife - Environment/land - Youth/sports - Health - Salmon - Working together - Tourism - Air Quality - Economy - Planning - Beneficial co-existence - Emergency planning - Sewage - Quality/Quantity - Recreation - Education - Policing - Community involvement/engagement - Horses - Bear aware - Family and future generations - Future development - Culture, tradition, heritage, history - Population growth - Noxious weeds - Alien species - Stewardship - Collective wellbeing - Respect - Food security - Fire conservation (control burning) - Prosperity - Employment/entrepreneurial - Housing - Natural resources/extraction processing - Natural medicines - Language preservation/exchange - Parks - Farming/ranching

PHOTOS

Chief Clarence Louie Osoyoos Indian Band

Donnella Sellars C2C Facilitator

Chief Robert Edward Lower Similkameen Indian Band

Joan Chess and Donnella Sellars C2C Facilitators

Penticton Indian Band Chief Jonathan Kruger

Okanagan Nation Alliance Grand Chief Stewart Phillip

Dan Ashton RDOS Chair

Ron Hovanes Mayor, Town of Oliver

Breakout Session

Breakout Session Breakout Session Breakout Session

PRESS COVERAGE

Fixed agenda at Indian band forum

by Deborah Pfeiffer - Story: 88826 Mar 15, 2013 / 5:56 am

Photo: Deborah Pfeiffer

Protocol agreement is focus of forum

The agenda planned for a forum hosted by the Regional District Okanagan –Similkameen Thursday

in Osoyoos , was replaced by a discussion on an earlier agreement between three Indian Bands and

the district that was never signed.

The forum at the Spirit Ridge Vineyard Resort and Spa, attended by RDOS board members,

members of the Penticton Indian Band, Osoyoos Indian Band and Lower Similkameen Indian Band

and other area representatives, was supposed to feature speakers and discussions.

Instead, much of the day looked at a protocol agreement, which was developed in 2006 and decided

against by the RDOS in 2008.

“Some of the protocol discussion was about what happened in the past and how we got left at the

altar,” said PIB Chief Jonathan Kruger. “Bands are still committed to it, and we are hoping the

regional district will follow through and cross the line. I am looking for a signing ceremony.”

The agreement was developed in 2006. When it came to a decision being made in 2008, with a

signing date actually set, the board of the day decided against it because of some of the wording,

said RDOS chair Dan Ashton.

According to the lengthy agreement document, its purpose includes formalizing a government to

government relationship, recognizing and celebrating diversity while cooperating with each other to

achieve mutual prosperity and collaborative decision making or negotiating in appropriate areas of

common interest.

Under commitments there is a list including stewardship of the land, waters and ecosystems of the

region, educating about Okanagan Nation roles, services and potential partnerships and educating

about regional district roles, services and potential partnerships.

Among other suggestions is a joint council that will meet biannually in the spring and fall to identify

and address issues of common concern and to make recommendations to the parties.

Osoyoos Indian Band Chief Clarence Louie said it was good to dust off the document and have

another round of meetings.

“Everyone tries to paint a picture that the water is calm, but there has always been jurisdictional

issues over the land,” he said. “We have to get back and talk about these things. And we need to

educate the representatives on the real history of the Okanagan Valley, starting with the past and

moving forward.”

Overall, he described the day as a baby step, but that being better than no step at all.

While Kruger said it was a good meeting and he was happy that those in attendance got right to the

heart of the matter.

Ashton said over the next 60 days, he hopes the board can come to some resolution on the protocol

agreement.

Although the day did not go exactly as planned, he said the forum was productive.

“It was a good discussion,” he said. “I am walking away with a good feeling.”

PRESS RELEASES

REGIONAL DISTRICT OF OKANAGAN-SIMILKAMEEN INFORMATION RELEASE

Monday, March11, 2013

RDOS to host Community to Community Forum for First Nations and regional governments

The Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen will host a Community to Community Forum involving local First Nations and key representatives from various levels of government. The South Okanagan Similkameen Community to Community Forum is scheduled for March 14, 2013 at the Spirit Ridge Vineyard Resort and Spa in Osoyoos, BC. “Our objective is to create a trusting and unified environment in which we can build discussion on common social, economic and environmental interests,” said Dan Ashton, Chair of the RDOS Board. “Our expectation is to talk about how we can support and integrate the diverse interests in the South Okanagan Similkameen.” Local representatives from various levels of government including the Regional District, local municipalities, Upper Similkameen Indian Band, Lower Similkameen Indian Band, Osoyoos Indian Band and Penticton Indian Band, as well as representatives from the Province of British Columbia have been invited. “The RDOS encompasses four Okanagan Nation Member Bands; Upper Similkameen Indian Band, Lower Similkameen Indian Band, Osoyoos Indian Band and Penticton Indian Band” noted Penticton Indian Band Chief Jonathan Kruger, “It is important for us to re-introduce the Protocol Agreement and Accord which lays the foundation for a mutual respectful working relationship recognizing and respecting each other’s Governance together” For further information please contact Christy Malden, Deputy Corporate Officer, at (250) 490-4146 or cmalden@rdos.bc.ca.

D. Ashton RDOS Board Chair

MEDIA ALERT: The forum will be held behind closed doors to provide for free comment

and discussion. A media conference will be held immediately after the forum concludes to provide interested media access to forum participants.

Media interested in attending the press conference or desiring other interview opportunities on site, should contact Andrew Stuckey at Andrew@starnorth.ca or by cell phone at 250-689-7001.

REGIONAL DISTRICT OF OKANAGAN-SIMILKAMEEN INFORMATION RELEASE

Thursday, March 14, 2013

Regional District commits to quickly addressing protocol agreement with First Nations neighbours

The Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen has committed to discuss the resolution of an outstanding agreement with its First Nations neighbours within 60 days. Dan Ashton, Chair of the Regional District Board, made the commitment during a Community to Community forum Thursday that involved the Regional District, its municipal partners, three of the First Nations — the Penticton, Osoyoos and Lower Similkameen Indian Bands and Grand Chief Stewart Phillip of the Okanagan Nation Alliance. “We set that timeline purposefully so that we can get back either through a working group or directly to establish a protocol agreement with the original signatories,” Ashton said following the full-day session at the Spirit Ridge Vineyard Resort and Spa in Osoyoos. The Regional District negotiated the agreement with its First Nations neighbours in 2006; however, it was never ratified. “I was on the Board of the Regional District when the Protocol Agreement was initially developed,” Ashton said at a press conference, with Penticton Indian Band Chief Jonathan Kruger and Osoyoos Indian Band Chief Clarence Louie at his side. “The intention of all parties was honourable, but we still have some issues to resolve. It hasn’t stopped us from working together over that period, but the Protocol will take us to the next level.” Reigniting discussion about the protocol agreement was the focus during a good portion of the forum, which was set up by the Regional District to renew dialogue between various levels of government and First Nations in the South Okanagan-Similkameen region. Senior political leaders from the Regional District, City of Penticton, the towns of Osoyoos, Oliver, Summerland and Princeton and the Village of Keremeos participated in Thursday’s forum. The protocol agreement commits the parties to, among other things, a shared stewardship of regional resources for the benefit of future generations, building a trusting relationship to develop future agreements on social, economic and environmental goals and establishing a working relationship that respects the governance structure of each organization. For further information please contact Christy Malden, Deputy Corporate Officer, at (250) 490-4146 or cmalden@rdos.bc.ca.

REGIONAL DISTRICT OF OKANAGAN-SIMILKAMEEN INFORMATION RELEASE

Friday, April 5, 2013 Regional Board approves RDOS participation In First Nations Protocol agreement

The Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen has made good on a pledge made by its Regional Board chair in mid-March to move forward on a Protocol agreement with local First Nations within 60 days.

“I made a pledge to our First Nations neighbours to bring the Protocol back to the Regional Board for additional discussion,” said Board Chair Dan Ashton. “I’m pleased to report the Board has done me one better and provided instruction to sign the agreement.”

The Board endorsed a motion April 4 to enter into the Protocol agreement with the Penticton, Osoyoos and Lower Similkameen Indian Bands. It will also invite the Upper Similkameen Indian Band to participate.

The Regional District initially negotiated the agreement in 2008; however, it was never ratified.

The decision follows a Community to Community Forum organized by the Regional District and held at NK’MIP Resort near Osoyoos March 14. Reigniting discussion about the protocol agreement was the focus of discussion during a good portion of the forum.

Senior political and administrative leaders from the Regional District, City of Penticton, the towns of Osoyoos, Oliver, Summerland and Princeton and the Village of Keremeos, as well as from the Osoyoos Indian Band, Penticton Indian Band and the Lower Similkameen Indian Band participated in the March 14 event.

“I think it’s fair to say many of us came away with a renewed understanding of how important the Protocol agreement was to our First Nations neighbours,” Ashton said.

The agreement reflects the organization’s commitment to building and sustaining the South Okanagan and Similkameen community and continually improving its relationship with its partners and stakeholders. The Regional District also provides a leadership role to member communities and electoral areas within the region.

The agreement commits the parties to, among other things, a shared stewardship of regional resources for the benefit of future generations, building a trusting relationship to develop future agreements on social, economic and environmental goals and establishing a working relationship that respects the governance structure of each organization.

RDOS administration will now work with senior administrative leaders from the Indian Bands to arrange a suitable time and location to sign the agreement.

For further information please contact Christy Malden, Deputy Corporate Officer, at (250) 490-4146 or cmalden@rdos.bc.ca. D. Ashton RDOS Board Chair

ORGANIZING NOTES During the organizing process of the South Okanagan Similkameen Community to Community Forum a logo was created which was used in branding of all forum documents, name tags, signage, etc. This logo which can be found on the title page of this report became a focal point of the Community to Community Forum. The words in the logo, such as respect, honour, trust, produced a powerful response on the day of the forum and were commented on various times by the speakers of the day. The Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen will continue to use this logo for future Community to Community Forums. A planning committee was assembled consisting of administrative staff from the Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen, Lower Similkameen Indian Band, Osoyoos Indian Band and Penticton Indian Band. Regional District staff took the lead in organizing the event but none of it would have been possible without the help of the local Bands. One of the most valuable contributions from the Band administration staff was to educate Regional District organizers about protocol. We learned the importance of the welcome prayer, offering a gift to speakers as a sign of respect, and providing first nations inspired meals as a gesture to participants. The planning group not only learned a lot during the organizational process but also became friends. The planning committee looks forward to coordinating the next Community to Community Forum.