Current Issues

October – November 2009: Tolko advised that it did not log in the Watersheds in the summer of 2009 because of the economic climate, and would commence logging in on October 21, 2009. Members of the Okanagan Nation set up a camp in the Watersheds and on October 22, were served with a demand to vacate the area or Tolko would file an injunction.
On October 28, 2009, Tolko started a legal Action against the Okanagan Nation. The Company filed an Action against the Okanagan Indian Band, Chief Fabian Alexis, Chief Timothy Manuel, Grand Chief Stewart Phillip, Colleen Marchand, and “Persons Unknown”, claiming nuisance, obstruction, conspiracy and intentional interference with contractual relations. A remedy sought in the Action is an injunction to pave the way for Tolko to proceed with further industrial logging in the Browns Creek Watersheds (the “Tolko Action”).
The ONA offered Tolko a permit to harvest MPB trees in a manner which protects and preserves Okanagan cultural heritage, but Tolko declined, and now wants to get a Court order to forcibly remove Okanagan members from Okanagan territory, if necessary.
The ONA Chiefs Executive Council responded. On November 5, 2009, the Okanagan Nation Alliance filed an Action against Tolko, suing in trespass and interference to Aboriginal rights, claiming damages for the harm the company has done to the Browns Creek Watersheds by industrial logging, and seeking in injunction to prevent Tolko from further clear cut logging, road building and related activities in the Browns Creek Watersheds (the “New ONA Action”).

A National Day of Action in Support of First Nations - May 29, 2008

We are calling on the Government of Canada to work with First Nations to protect our children, invest in our future and respect our responsibility to one another.

We invite all Canadians to join us in putting forth a strong, clear call for action to the federal government.

Protect our Children

1. First Nations children receive less funding for education than other Canadian children. We are calling for fairness in funding to First Nations children.

2. First Nations' Child Welfare Systems are under-funded compared to provincial child welfare systems. This discrimination leaves our children vulnerable and places them at risk. We are calling for fairness in funding for First Nations child welfare.

Invest in Our Future

1. More than half of the First Nations population is under the age of 25. That is Canada's future workforce and the key to a productive and prosperous Canada.

2. We must end the shameful conditions that exist in too many First Nations communities, conditions like over-crowded and unsafe housing, dangerous drinking water and crumbling infrastructure.

3. We must invest in healthy environments for our children and all our people. Canada is a rich nation - investing now is the responsible thing to do for all Canadians.

Respect our Responsibility to One Another

1. Set aside the colonial Indian Act and dismantle the Department of Indian Affairs in favour of a new approach that provides First Nations with the right and responsibility to make the decisions that affect their lives.

2. Recognize that First Nation governments must be responsible and accountable to their own people first.

3. Show respect for First Nations by implementing the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

4. Work with First Nations to bring honour to the Treaties, to resolve long-standing lands claims and work together to share in the riches of this land.

The National Day of Action held in Keremeos at Memorial Park turned out to be a huge success. Approximately 300 people came out to show their support opposing the National Park. We had a great turn out from all the bands in the Okanagan and were very pleased to see so many elders, youth and community members in attendance. To view photos look in the photo gallery under Events and Jobs - 2008 National Day of Action