Senklip - August 2016

SENK’LIP NEWS August - 2016 EDITION - OKANAGAN INDIAN BAND 12420 WESTSIDE ROAD VERNON, BC V1H 2A4 - FREE

Picture of the individuals involved in making the Health Centre Mural from leŌ to right: Sheldon Louis, Faith Yow, Tessa Louis, Emma Cohen, Raymond Alexis, and Mario Richard.

New Mural at the Health Centre!

See page 7 for an interview with the artist Sheldon Louis.

SENK’LIP NEWS Editor: Shaylen Smith

Ph: 250‐542‐4328 Fx: 250‐542‐4990 shaylen.smith@okanagan.org

Chief: Byron Louis Councillors: Lyle Brewer, Barbara (June) Cole, Tim Isaac, Allan Louis, Coola Louis, Dan Wilson, Raymond Marchand, Russell Williams and Leland Wilson

Community

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Okanagan Indian Band Important Numbers CUT AND PLACE ON YOUR FRIDGE! EMERGENCY NUMBERS:

Council Mee ngs Schedule Regular Scheduled Mee ngs First Tuesday of the Month:

Emergency OKIB Volunteer Fire Dept.

Water Buildings

911 250-545-4111 250-308-8075 250-306-1363

Main Band Office Toll Free Administration Education/Training Human Resources Membership Finance

250-542-4328 1-866-542-4328

Health Social Development and Training Head of the Lake Hall New Horizons Snc’c’amalta?tn Daycare and School Cultural Immersion School Public Works and Housing/Lands Territorial Stewardship/Research

250-542-5094 250-558-3706 250-558-1414 250-545-2402 250-545-3800 250-260-3616 250-542-3444 250-542-7132

9:00am to 4:00pm

Second Tuesday of the Month: 5:30pm to 9:30pm Third Tuesday of the Month:

9:00am to 4:00pm

Changes to the schedule and community mee ngs/emergency mee ngs will be communicated to the membership in the following ways: www.okib.ca www.facebook.com/OkanaganBand www.twi er.com/OkanaganBand

Process All requests to be added to the Chief and Council’s agenda must be sub‐ mi ed to the Execu ve Director by Wednesday at 4:30pm the week be‐ fore the next mee ng. Agenda items are reviewed and approved by the Execu ve Director and Chief on Thursday a ernoon. Contact Stacy Yow, Execu ve Assistant to Council: 250‐542‐4328 ext. 210, or by email at stacy.yow@okanagan.org

OKIB members, if you have moved, please update your address with the Band Office.

Members who sign up for the Senk’lip will receive the other important mail outs including: community engagement information and annual/quarterly reports.

Call the band office, or email okibadmin@okanagan.org to sign up.

OKIB Communications – New Look, Better Services!

We are in the midst of upgrading the OKIB website which launched April 26, 2016. New content is being added regularly.

If you have elders in your family, please take a few moments to show them how to connect to the website at www.okib.ca and how to login to the members only section of the website. See the member login button below circled in black and white.

The members only section allows access to the following:  Council Meeting Minutes from 2013—2015  Current Council Agendas  Chief and Council Calendar  Department contact information  Important members only announcements Here are a couple of new resources:  OKIB Youtube account for videos; enter the short url into your web browser to see what is new— https://goo.gl/3iItVg  Relaunched the ISSUU account that hosts the Senk’lip News—you can still access the Senk’lip through the website under the “News & Updates” tab. (underlined in black and white) If you are looking for events hosted by OKIB Departments, scroll down the website and click on Calendar to see all upcoming events.

The Latest News & Updates is where you will find the Senk’lip News, community notices (i.e. funerals), press releases and events hosted by other organizations, or First Nations.

Community

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Way! Iskwist Darwin Robbins, I’m the new RCMP Constable stationed at OKIB. I am part of a four person First Nations Policing Unit based out of West Kelowna, BC. My hours will be from Monday to Friday most weeks and will consist of primarily dayshifts. I’m very approachable so don’t be afraid to stop by and say hello.

I hail from Esketemculucw (free coffee for the first to tell me where and who that is). I’m married to Roxanna who is an OKIB member and we have two children, Madison and Cooper, both OKIB members as well. I look forward to serving the community and building relationships.

Above: Cnst. Darwiin Robbins , posing by the band office.

If I don’t see you in the community, I’ll definitely see you on the road.

Constable Darwin ROBBINS OKIB – First Nations Policing West Kelowna RCMP - 250-768-2880

Le : Cnst. Robbins prac ving his paddling with youth for the upcoming Canoe Journey

acknowledge financial support from Penticton Indian Sʔímlaʔxʷ Michele Johnson, Syilx Language House Association Band, Osoyoos Indian Thursday June 23, 2016 Band, Westbank First NaFootprints Building, Penticton Indian Band tion, First Peoples grants, Simon Fraser University and sponsorship from several employers for their employees to attend class two days a week. Students travel from across the Syilx Nation to attend this pilot project in Penticton. Seventeen adult students successfully completed the first year, over 350 hours of intensive instruction, following Paul Creek (Salish School of Spokane) curriculum, including Nsyilxcn 1, Captíkʷł 1 and Nsyilxcn 2. Classes started on September 30, 2015.

Students will study 2,000 hours over four years and emerge mid-intermediate speakers.

The Syilx Language House also holds Elder Le to right, back row: Qʷayqʷʕayáx̌n, Xáʔtma Sqilxʷ, Suxʷkłʔúclm, Hamishrecording sessions with a number of fluent Elmish, Marí, Sq̓ ax̌əx̌ínaʔk, Skalúla, Kíkstaʔ, Sʔímlaʔxʷ (instructor). Front row: ders including Kiʔlawna Andrew McGinnis and ̓ ms, Xas tkʷ, and Sta̓ ʔqʷalqs. Missing Pqlqin, Kiʔláwna, Sənpaʔqcín, Səxʷtu K̓ ninmtn t̓ a nqʷic̓ tn Grouse Barnes. Staff has from picture: Carís, Goya da yeñsdih, Qʷənqʷənxn, and Skawílx recorded and edited numerous Elder recordJune 23 was a proud day for the Syilx Language ings which are shared freely as advanced learnHouse, celebrating completion of the first year of ing material. the four-year program. The Syilx Language At the celebration, students presented fiveHouse Association was formed in 2015 with two minute Nsyilxcn narrations to community, family, main goals: to train new Nsyilxcn speakers and members of Chief and Councils from OIB, PIB, record Elders. They are responding to the urgent and WFN, as well as MP Richard Canning. Stuneeds expressed by Syilx Elders and communidents have come a long way in one year and ties to revitalize the language. They gratefully were able to describe themselves and described

Syilx Language House Celebrates Year 1

an animal, bird or insect, and its life cycle. Elders Grouse Barnes and Andrew McGinnis said the students were speaking better and more clearly.

Grouse Barnes (WFN fluent Elder) said of the group, “x̌ ast nixəlmn. lut t̓ a cʔax ʕapnaʔ. taʔli x̌ ʕal. nx̌ əscin. mi k̓ ʷəck̓ ʷctwilx iʔ snəqsilxʷs, iʔ sqilxʷcawtət. It is good to hear you. You are not shy anymore and are very clear. You are strengthening your families and your sqilxʷ ways.

We all have a job to do and we must continue to look seven generations ahead.” After the presentations, Sʔímlaʔxʷ, the lead teacher, summarized the first year and collected community feedback.

Syilx Leadership and the Minister of Parliament congratulated students and teachers on their achievment and wished for all success. Chief Jonathan Kruger encouraged the group to “keep going” and would like to see apps developed and encouraged collaboration between all speakers and learners. The Syilx Language House shared its plans for the future. When these students graduate in 2020, there will be enough new teachers to expand. The “2020 plan” hopes to encompass many new students from each of PIB, OIB, and WFN and work towards turning off English in some Band workplaces.

Qʷayqʷʕayax̌ n Levi Bent encouraged fellow students to “niʕíp nqilxʷcnm” always speak the language, whenever they meet over the summer because, “ixíʔ mrimstn,” that is medicine.

successful proponents of the initiative.

Okanagan Indian Band and City of Vernon discuss are‐ as of mutual interest and opportuni es for collabora‐ on

“We are pleased to be working closely with the leadership of the OKIB with the shared objective of robust economic development for both of our communities,” said Vernon Mayor Akbal Mund. “We at the City of Vernon value our friendship with our neighbours at OKIB and I look forward to many years of collaboration and growth.”

Vernon, BC – June 29, 2016 – Amiable discussions ensued over a lunch Discussions also included the possibility of joint tourism ventures and the meeting between Chief and Council representatives of the Okanagan IndiRail Trail. an Band (OKIB) and Mayor and Council from the City of Vernon. The two governments focused on areas of mutual interest that impact residents in Chief Louis stated, “The OKIB is interested in working with our neighbourboth communities. ing municipalities; our relationship with the City of Vernon is moving in a completely positive direction. We expect to continue collaborating on initiaTwo new agreements were brought forward and that the administration of tives for the greater good of both communities.” both OKIB and the City expect completion on within the coming months: an agreement for the provision of increased fire services to locatee lands One area of concern for OKIB is the safety of Vernon residents living adjaand a Kin Beach maintenance and fire rescue services agreement. cent to the Goose Lake Range. Non-band members have been accessing the privately held band lands for recreation purposes. These lands are litBoth OKIB and the City have separate submitted proposals to the Federatered with unexploded ordnances with the potential of serious, or fatal tion of Canadian Municipalities for the Community Economic Development harm to trespassers. OKIB and the City remind residents that this area is Initiative that are currently under review. The City and OKIB have commitnot safe for recreating. ted to collaborative ventures that benefit both communities if either are

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Culture and Language

In Loving Memory

E hee-a-thinaugh checkwook “tl” ap il skwook “tl” eelt I’ll “tl” ghugh “tl” hap.

learners and take direction and help bridge the children’s needs.

We will miss Babyann (Cecelia) Gottfriedson at the Language Nest. Babyann worked till the last two weeks of her life. She enjoyed working with the children and shared her days’ work with her sons at home. She explained how smart the children were and was very happy they were picking up the words. Marnie Gregoire and I really enjoyed her patience. Her encouragement and passion for the language exemplified the theme of constant practice and annunciation in our program. She will be missed dearly! Rest in peace Babyann!

The sun rising over the hill on the fawn and the older people.

Our Language teachers are Virginia Gregoire, Pauline Archachan and Adam Gregoire. The elders continue to work very closely with the children and are involved in performing activities with them.

OKIB Language Nest

We will have an OPEN HOUSE on Tuesday, August 23 @ Noon and Wednesday, August The children know a lot of the animals, numbers, days, colors and foods. The table is 24, 2016 @ 6pm at 11 Victoria Road (Pete the best place to learn. Since the program Marchand’s old trailer). started we have encouraged the children to We will be only enrolling six children in our ask for food in Okanagan. They are able to (0-3 age) morning program and 6 children in ask for more food items, such as bread, waour (4-5 age) afternoon program. ter, fruit, veggies, and milk.

We encourage parents to participate in our Family Language Nights to help bridge the gap between parents and children with language acquisition.

Wondering what is the Language Nest and what is it about?

The Language Nest Program, E hee-athinaugh chekwook"tl"ap il skwook"tl"eelt I'll "tl" ghugh "tl"a hap. Is a program that has fluent speaking elders leading Language Revitalization by connecting and directing the staff and children in the program, which makes us so unique. The house in which the program is situated is meant to feel like “gramma’s house”. Where the teachers are the elders and the workers are there to be

iʔ stəɬ taɬt ‐ the Truth Way skɬucləm tl snpintktn uɬ kʼl Komasket a canoe journey from Pen cton to Komasket July 2016 Update Wai! Hello from Mariel Belanger, Project Coordinator.

The intent of this project is to build relationships with protection services organizations, the First Nations Friendship Centre, Okanagan Indian Band, School District #22 and other service organizations to better help the indigenous population in our northern territory. Our focus is on reducing violence against women and girls through cultural teachings on land and water, primarily water through the development of a canoe program. This canoe project will engage youth and adults in relationship skills building through teamwork, trust and communication.

Through a partnership with School District #22’s Aboriginal Education department 4 adults and 2 youth were trained in a Camp Leader Canoe Course instructed by Larry Hemmingson. This is for the small canoes to train summer participants using the AED and OKIB coowned canoes. I met with Matthew Baran of OIB, Joseph Pierre of PIB and Herman Edwards to discuss their experience with paddling Okanagan Lake as well established a steering committee of interested community and partners. All have provided invaluable guidance

The Language Nest Program encourages young children to know about our Okanagan traditional foods, so we give our children a hands on experience of harvesting and preserving in our language.

Our program will also be offering Traditional Parenting and Tupa’s Kitchen, and continuing with Language Nights. Everyone Welcomed, bring your slaxts!

If you have any questions, suggestions, or are interested in enrolling your child/ren please contact Danielle Saddleman or Marnie Gregoire at 250-503-5593 or email okibnest@okanagan.org

in developing a sound program.

Mario Richard and I began scheduling the summer program and journey logistics deciding on a journey date. Paddle training days are Thursdays throughout July and August. On these paddle training days youth will be on the water preparing physically and mentally for the long journey ahead. As I experienced on the water with youth worker Mario Richard and others, paddling all day will be challenging for most participants to over come; the physical toll is great, especially when a canoe flips over and the occupants panic. We will have to build our spirits up to achieve our goal.

Paddle practice will begin July 21 and will run Thursdays until the Canoe Journey which begins on Aug 28 where the group will gather and spend our first night in Penticton to prepare to launch at dawn. If you are interested in participating, volunteering or can run a camp kitchen please contact Mariel at mjbelanger73@hotmail.com or 250308-4066

Snc’c’amala?tn Snc’c’amala?tn News From the Manager Lorraine Ladan Closures

Page 5 have worked in child care close to 12 years. Many family and friends may remember me from my time in the I/T room here at Snc’c’amala?tn. Kelsey has also joined our room to provide support to some of our children. Kelsey brings humor and patience to our program that the children enjoy. It’s a pleasure working with her.

All programs at the Early Childhood Education Centre and School will be closed:

The children have been enjoying the rain, splashing in puddles with rain boots, listening to the sounds of rain on umbrellas and the roof.

We go out in all weather so please be sure your child is prepared rain or shine. During summer programming we are joined by our older preschool friends who bring a whole different aspect of play to our room. They are helpful and caring and provide a wonderful example for our new younger friends coming from the I/T room.

We hope everyone is enjoying their summer.

Monday, August 1 BC Day Monday, September 5 Labour Day Tuesday, September 6 Back to school, early dismissal (pending Council approval) Friday, September 16 Professional Development Day (pending Council approval) Infant/Toddler For the Summer Karla Louis will be the Supervisor for the Infant/Toddler room while Mary Marchand is supervising the Summer Rec Program.

Congratulations to Nancy Eusatche on completing her course from NVIT in Merritt and obtaining her ECE assistant certificate.

Rae Cohen, Karen Herriot Summer Day Camp Welcome to our summer day camp workers Catherine Louis, Shyanna Pelletier, Tallin Gregoire, Justen Peters, and Cassidy Marchand.

Just a little reminder for parents to bring swim wear or swim diapers as the weather is heating up. We are having a great time!

We have had a great first session thus far filled with tons of activities and trips!

The first session which runs from July 11 to July 28th is full with 40 children as is the second session which runs from August 2nd to the 19th!

Lim Limpt Infant Toddler Staff

I am very excited for the upcoming session and hanging out with all the children and the great staff we have.

Mary Marchand

3 to 5 Year Old Daycare Way’ My Name is Deana Rae Cohen and I am temporarily supervising the 3-5 program until September. I

Language Corner Submitted by Mary Louis

CROSSWORD PUZZLE—submi ed by Mary Louis

way̓‐hello skwist‐name limt‐happy x̌ast‐good kn ckicx‐I arrived tum‐mother naqs‐one asil‐two kaɬis‐three mus‐four cilkst‐five taqmkst ‐six

Here is a selec on of phrases to prac ce with your family and friends:

w

a

ý

x̌

s

p̓

m̓

x̌

ɬ

k

t

x

ʔ

ə

ʕ

ɣ

l

i

s

a

I have arrived

s

ƛ̓

t̓

s

k

w

i

s

t

ɬ

p cyʕap

You have all arrived

k

x̌

q

ɬ

c

ɣ

m

ʕ

ƛ̓

i

kʷu cyʕap

We have arrived

ha ti̓ ʔ kʷ x̌ast?

Are you well/how are you?

m a qʷ m n̓

ə

t

u h s

uc kʷ iksknxitm?

Can I help you?

q

s

u

i

ʔ

u

ƛ̓

ɬ

s

ʕ

kʷu kńxit

Help me/help us

a

t

x

k

n

c

k

i

c

x

swit askwist?

What is your name?

iskwist_________.

My name is______.

t

ḱ

ʔ

c

i

l

k

s

t

ə

way̓ p isnqsilxʷ

Gree ngs my rela ves

kʷ ckicx

You have arrived

kn ckicx

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Health & Social Development

Make an appointment to see our new Nurse Practitioner!

A few reminders from the Social Development Department

For Community Members who struggle with managing their chronic and comKim Orwaard—Wong plex medical conditions, including: Nurse Practioner  Asthma  Kidney Disease  COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease)  CHF (Congestive Heart Failure)  Diabetes and Heart Disease  Fibromyalgia If you experience significant trouble seeing a doctor, or receiving the care you need, call to now to make an appointment The Nurse Practitioner is able to fill prescriptions and assist you in managing your health.

~The Social Development Department requires social assistance clients to complete a work search form monthly.

If the work search forms are not complete it will affect continued eligibility.

Policy Section 4.2 page.1

~Declarations must be filled out correctly and completely - on time. If not, the payment is not processed.

~Please note that if there are any questions regarding employment, training, resumes, or workshops please feel free ~If you have obtained employment you to call the office. may be eligible for financial assistance until your first payday, after you have ~The Social Development Departreceived your pay you must photocopy ment can have your cheque direct deposited –please provide updated paystubs and drop them off at the social development department to ensure bank info. eligibility.

~Monthly Good Food Box is every third Thursday of the month. Please contact the Social Development DeWhere: partment for a box. The Social Development does not deliver Good Food Please Call Joan or Rosalie to book an appointment at (250) 542Boxes. One box per household.

When: Time:

create a resume, cover letter, or email a resume. This will assist you when completing the job search requirements.

1st & 3rd Thursday of every month 9:00am to 4:00pm (closed from 12—1pm for lunch) Appointments are generally ½ hour each Community Services & Development (Health)

Social Development Department 250558-3706 Cindy Brewer, Jennifer Jack, Stacey Marchand, & Mary Jack (ESD)

5094

Next Appointment Day is August 4th, 2016

~Also note that we have computers for employment purposes if you need to

FOOT CARE CLINIC When: Fridays from 8:00am –12:00pm Where: Health Building upstairs What: Diabetes Foot Care

Do you need to see a doctor today?

Visit www.medimap.ca to search for wait mes at nearby walk‐in clinics in Vernon.

How it works: 1. Walk in clinics update Medimap with their es mated wait me.

Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy is a long term complication of diabetes. Exposure to high blood glucose (sugar) levels over an extended period of time causes damage to the nerves that go to the arms, hands, legs and feet.

Symptoms are: SHARP SHOOTING PAINS, BURNING, TINGLING, FEELING PINS & NEEDLES, THROBBING AND OR NUMBNESS (NOT FEELING PAIN, HEAT OR COLD)

2. Pa ents search for walk‐in clinics by city or by clicking “use my loca‐ on” to find the nearest clinics.

3. Walk‐in clinics are displayed in or‐ der of shortest wait me, so pa‐ ents can get the most immediate access to care.

Testing is easy and pain free. (test is done by pressing a thin nylon thread on are- Simply type in www.medimap.ca into your web browser to access the web‐ as of your foot) If you have Diabetes (and live on Reserve) and would like to have your feet assessed.

Please call the Health unit @ 250.542.5094 to book an appointment with June.

site, then type in your city or address into the search bar that says ENTER CITY OR ADDRESS and hit enter.

You will then see a list of walk‐in clin‐ ics and their es mated wait mes as well as a map of their loca ons!

Youth

Interview with Sheldon Louis on the new Health Building Mural

Page 7 approached me last year and asked if I would be interested in crea ng a mural project, heading it up, pu ng the mural here and doing some work with the youth in the community.

What has been your role in this project?

My role, first off… it started as myself wri ng and applying to the First Peoples Cultural Council for the Youth Engagement Arts Grant. So last year I wrote the grants, applied, and basically a er we received no ce that we did in fact get the grant, my role in this whole project was determined to be lead ar st. So I’ve designed all the images that are here right now and then the biggest part of it is to come in and work with the youth and share a bit of skill and teachings and to help them progress as ar sts.

Tell us about the youth that are working with you You know everybody here is very ar s c. We have one youth, Raymond Alexis, he’s going into ac ng and doing plays through the Caravan Farm Theatre. We have a number of different ar sts, we got Emma Cohen, she’s a great visual ar st, we got Faith Yow and Tessa Louis, again also up and coming emerging visual ar sts

Sheldon Louis: Lead ArƟst for the Health Building Mural Project

Tell us a bit about yourself My name is Sheldon Louis. I am a member of the Okanagan Indian Band. I am one of the founders of Kama? Crea ve Aboriginal Arts Collec ve and the lead visual ar st. I sit on the Arts Council for the North Okanagan. I am also a member of the Ullus Collec ve based out of Pen cton at the Enow’kin Centre. I trained under Michelle Loughrey, through Loughrey Mural Works, probably 15 years ago. She actually was the one who taught me how to paint. This is kind of what brought me to where we’re si ng at now.

How did this project begin?

Last year Mario Richard, Youth Coordinator for the OKIB, approached me with an idea. They had a nice wall here at the Health Centre that he felt needed a bit of sprucing up I guess, needed something done with it. So he

Is there anything else you would like to say about the mural?

I just want to talk about the reason why we chose the images and the sto‐ ry that’s actually on the wall here. When Mario first approached me and asked me this I already had pictured this wall painted years ago when they originally built this building. I knew at one point that I’d want to paint the walls here with the background I had through Michelle, her being a mural ar st, and working there I knew at some point I’d like to follow through with her teachings and share that with what I learned from her program and be able to bring it to the kids here. So when Mario approached me, knowing that this is the Health Centre, the kind of central point for all health programs and stuff for OKIB, right away I knew that choosing the Four Food Chiefs story would be just perfect. If you look at our people health is being connected to the land, being connected to the water, your language. So bringing this story in it was one to teach the youth that con‐ nec on and also the importance of this story to our people.

Wai! My name is Taylor Belanger. I am working this summer as the Communications Assistant. I am an Okanagan Indian Band member and a 3rd year business management student at the University of British Columbia – Okanagan campus. I graduated from W.L Seaton Secondary School in 2009 and in 2010 I went to school at the En’owkin Centre to take the National Aboriginal Professional Artists’ Training program (NAPAT).

I finished the NAPAT program in April, 2011, and in June of that year I started working as a wildlands firefighter for the Ministry of Forests. I worked as a firefighter for 5 years, from 2011 to 2015 and fought wildfires all over BC as well as a couple in Alberta and Quebec. I completed 3 semesters at UBC-O, starting in 2012, but took a break from school to work more as a firefighter. This past September I returned to UBC-O to take the courses I needed to be accepted into the Management program and will be starting my 3rd year in September.

Throughout the summer I will be working with Shaylen Smith, OKIB Communications Coordinator, on getting information out to the band membership. I am currently working on a new page on the OKIB website which will be an interactive timeline of OKIB’s history from the 1700s to the present. I also help with posting new content and information to the OKIB website as well as the OKIB Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and ISSUU accounts. You may also see me around at community events taking photos and videos to post to the different OKIB social media accounts.

If you have any suggestions about content for us to post to the OKIB website, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, or the Senk’lip newspaper send me an email at comassist@okanagan.org

OKIB Summer Students Catherine Louis—Senior Sum‐ mer Day Camp Worker Shyanna Pelle er—Summer Day Camp Worker Justen Peters—Summer Day Camp Worker Cassidy Marchand—Summer Day Camp Worker Tallin Gregoire—Summer Day Camp Worker

Page 8

Community

The Okanagan Indian Band Volunteer Fire Department is Recruiting!

We are looking for a few good people that would like to belong to something bigger than themselves, feel good about Mission: To preserve and protect Life, Health and Safety themselves, and feel a great sense of accomplishment.

Volunteering as a firefighter is a rewarding and lifechanging experience for men and women that requires commitment, as well as few other requirements. These requirements allow you to perform emergency service duties safely and effectively. The Fire Department responds to vehicle fires, forest and grass fires, structure fires, motor vehicle accidents, and a variety of medical emergencies.

Description: Founded in 1985. The Okanagan Indian Band Volunteer Fire Department is an autonomous Fire Department that operates with pride and honor. Effective and efficient communication is a must for the Fire Department in order to best serve the community.

There are many areas that we are trained in. Some of these areas include: 

All the training that you receive will be free to committed personal and sent to outside agencies for certification. The training is an ongoing process and you should be continually practicing for as long as you are involved with the fire department.



Fire practice is at 6:30pm every Tuesday evening at the fire hall.



     

Use of self‐contained breathing apparatus Search & rescue Radio communica ons The structure of com‐ mand Basic pump opera ons Working from hydrants Working from dra Hose handling Opera on and selec‐ on of nozzles Driving

         

Ven la on Structure suppression Fire preven on Salvage and overhaul Ladders Compressed air foam sys‐ tems Ex nguishers First Medical Response Forest fire opera ons Forcible entry Dealing with flammable products and many more

If you have any questions regarding the application pro cess of being a volunteer firefighter, please do not hesitate   to give us a call at the fire department at 542-9212 on Tuesday evenings. You can also contact Captain Mike The training is an ongoing process and you should be continually Doherty at 250-542-0380 or Garett Lawrence at (250)-558- learning for as long as you are involved with the fire department.

9238.

OKIB Volunteer Fire Department Contact Informa on Address: #4 Bonneau Rd Vernon, BC, V1H2A8 Phone:250‐542‐9212 Email: okibvfd@okanagan.org

Fire Chief:

Dave Lawrence—250‐542‐1243 dave.lawrence@okanagan.org

Captain:

Mike Doherty—250‐306‐4564

Administrator/Human Resource Coordinator:

Gare Lawrence 250‐558‐9238

gare lawrence@outlook.com