Westbank First Nation

Westbank First Nation is a self-governing nation in the Okanagan region of the Canadian province of British Columbia and is one of seven bands that comprise the Okanagan Nation Alliance. Westbank First Nation (WFN) is governed by one Chief (Robert Louie) and four Councillors, elected every three years by WFN Membership. As of September, 2014, WFN's Membership totaled 791 members.

Government

Westbank reserves were once part of the Okanagan Indian Band until they separated and became an independent band in 1963. 27 years later, in 1990, a Framework agreement was entered into which allowed community-based self-government to begin being negotiated. On May 6, 2004, The Westbank First Nation Self-Government Act (Bill C-11) received Royal Assent and became law. WFN Self-Government officially came into force April 1, 2005.

Following the enactment of Self-Government, WFN Members developed the Westbank First Nation Constitution, which sets out how the community is governed and how it exercises its jurisdiction. Some of the other areas the Constitution provides for are democratic and legitimate elections and government; internal financial management; accountability to WFN Members; conflict of interest rules; law enactment procedures; land rules and referendum procedures.

Advisory Council

In 2005, following the signing of Self-Government, the WFN Advisory Council was put in place. The Advisory Council is a five-member council, elected every three years by WFN residents, that meets regularly to review and make recommendations on issues that directly and significantly affect tax payers such as tax expenditures, proposed Westbank Laws and proposed amendments to Westbank Laws. Currently there are approximately 10,000 non-WFN Member residents living on WFN Lands.

Indian Reserves

Westbank First Nation's land base totals 5,306 acres, separated into five land parcels. Westbank First Nation's two populated reserves border the westside of Okanagan Lake and are located adjacent to the District of West Kelowna, while the remaining three reserves are located on the east side of Okanagan Lake. Indian Reserves under the jurisdiction of the Westbank First Nation are:

• Tsinstikeptum Indian Reserve No. 9, 641.8 ha., 6 miles southwest of the City of Kelowna,
• Tsinstikeptum Indian Reserve No. 10, 339 ha., immediately opposite the City of Kelowna,
• Medicine Creek Indian Reserve No. 12, 662.50 ha., 10 km southeast of downtown Kelowna,
• Medicine Hill Indian Reserve No. 11, 515.70 ha., 15 km southeast of downtown Kelowna,
• Mission Creek Indian Reserve No. 8, 2 ha., on left bank of Mission Creek 1 mile from Okanagan Lake, 2 miles south of downtown Kelowna

See also

• Okanagan people

External links

• Westbank First Nation website
• Westbank First Nation Forestry website