Fisheries Department

The Okanagan Nation Alliance Fisheries Department (formerly the Okanagan Nation Fisheries Commission, or ONFC) was established in 1995 under the direction of the Okanagan Nation Alliance and member communities to take a role in the management of fisheries and aquatic resources. The goal and mandate of the ONAFD is the conservation, protection, restoration, and enhancement of indigenous fisheries (anadromous and resident) and aquatic resources within Okanagan Nation Territory. On a watershed level, the Okanagan Nation Territory includes the Okanagan Basin, the Similkameen Basin, and the Kettle Basin, as well as parts of the Columbia Basin ( Columbia River and Arrow Lakes) and Thompson Basin ( Shuswap River and Salmon River). The ONAFD works to provide technical fisheries assistance for the Nation and its seven member Bands and acts as a liaison with federal and provincial fisheries agencies.