Economic Development

Over the past three years, the ONA has been examining its collaborative economic development potential and engaging member communities in dialogue aimed at generating support for a nation level (regional) economic development mandate. The Okanagan Nation has become conscious of the potential of economic development as a mechanism to press forward and achieve its goal of Sovereignty. Sustainable Economic Development can develop assets and create access to financial prosperity that can be reinvested to build healthy communities through social, recreational and cultural programs while addressing capacity building, job creation and long-term sustainable employment.

The Okanagan Nation agreed to establish a Nation-wide Economic Development Initiative at its Quarterly meeting held in Kelowna in October, 2003 and a regional Economic Development Officer was subsequently appointed in April 2004. The following Tribal Council Resolutions encapsulate the intent and scope of the Economic Development Unit mandate:

An aggressive, multi-faceted work plan has been deployed to address this potential and to launch an Okanagan Nation Development Corporation (ONDC).