Youth Response Team

The First Nations Inuit Health Branch and Interior Health responding to an ONA proposal for Anti-drug Strategy funding and lobbying efforts for the Nation by Chief Stewart Phillip has provided the Okanagan Nation with a grant. The funding is being used to develop an Okanagan Nation Youth Response Team. This team will be trained over a two week period: April 23-28, 2006 and May 29 – June 2nd at the Lake Okanagan Resort.

The team is being developed for two roles. One is to work with Communities providing extensive support and training so that community can develop comprehensive, inclusive, and sustainable programming for Youth and their families. Further, this team will be available to respond and support existing band staff in times of emergency and in crisis situations.

Team members have been recommended by the Okanagan Nation Health Committee and their involvement has been endorsed by their band’s Chief and Council. The team also includes a couple of members at large selected because of their experience working with communities and youth. Lead by Kim Montgomery-Waardenburg, the team members include: Emory Gabriel, Joanie Gabriel, Celia and Hubert George, Wayne Lizotte, Les Louis, Jeanine Terbasket, Leon Louis, Sandi Terbasket, Janine Lott, Wilfred (Grouse) Barnes, Gary Bonneau, Laurie Peters, Tiffany McRae, Erickson Sheena, and Vanessa Mitchell.