SENK’LIP NEWS February - 2016 EDITION - OKANAGAN INDIAN BAND 12420 WESTSIDE ROAD VERNON, BC V1H 2A4 - FREE
UXO’s an Explosive Topic January 20, 2016 - The Okanagan Indian Band was featured in a Maclean’s magazine article on January 4, 2016. The investigative article explored the history of military service by OKIB members, the account of the Canadian militaries use of OKIB lands, and the costly process for removing unexploded ordnances (UXO’s) from reserve lands. While the recent coverage in local media has brought the issue to the attention of the general public, this has been an on-going agenda item that Chief and Council have actively been addressing since the Department of National Defence (DND) stopped using the lands for military training. Outside media sources have focused on the following topics:
SENK’LIP NEWS Editor: Shaylen Smith Ph: 250-542-4328 Fx: 250-542-4990 shaylen.smith@okanagan.org
The settlement between DND and K&L Land Partnership Ltd. K&L Land Partnership Ltd is owned by a family of billionaires – the Aquiline’s. The company claims they did not know about the UXO’s when they purchased the land. The usual course of action to take when a critical piece of information is missing in a real estate transaction is to sue the seller, or void the contract. K&L did neither of these things. Instead they sued the government, the claim was dismissed from court, and then the Department of Defence gave the company a settlement that is possibly worth more than the yearly DND budget designated to UXO clearance removal for all of Canada. The K&L Land Partnership company bought the lands for an estimated $14 million in 2005; received an estimated $11 million in the settlement from DND; expect to have their land cleared of military munitions by mid-2017; and they have submitted a plan for subdivision of the land to Vernon Council. The lands owned by the K&L Land Partnership company are near Okanagan band lands that require removal of UXO’s before they are safe for Band uses, or development.
Chief: Byron Louis Councillors: Homer Alexis, Lyle Brewer, Barbara (June) Cole, Tim Isaac, Allan Louis, Coola Louis, Dan Wilson, Raymond Marchand, Russell Williams and Leland Wilson
UXO removal team at work on OKIB lands. Photo courtesy of Don Louis.
Currently the Department of National Defence (DND) will likely provide OKIB with $125,000 per year for four years to assist with the cleanup of military munitions from Okanagan band lands. Approximately 7,000 acres of band lands are affected with contamination from military use. The removal and reclamation process is expected to take decades; especially given the limited budget. Depending on the level of contamination, $125,000 may not be enough to clear one acre of land affected with UXO’s. Other funding has been allocated to send OKIB members to Texas A&M University for UXO Removal Technician training. Three members completed the training last year and were part of the team working on the Goose Lake Range in September to November, 2015. Active recruitment for this year’s program has begun and interested band members can contact Don Louis at 250-542-3444 for more information. *See page 11 for UXO Technician Training information.
Chief Byron Louis interviewed by Global Okanagan News.
Misleading statements from DND Chief Byron Louis was interviewed by Global News about the article in Mclean’s magazine on January 7, 2016. The story aired on the evening newscast and included a statement from the Department of Defence indicating that the Okanagan Indian Band needed to submit land use and economic development plans to the government prior to DND moving forward with the removal process. A response from the Chief was sent out to clarify the misleading information, so that the public would know that there is no such requirement in
any of the contracts and that by their signature on the contracts DND is obligated to remove the UXO’s regardless of OKIB’s intended uses for the lands in question.
Community
Page 2 Okanagan Indian Band Important Numbers CUT AND PLACE ON YOUR FRIDGE!
Council Meetings Schedule Regular Scheduled Meetings
EMERGENCY NUMBERS: 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
First Tuesday of the Month:
9:00am to 4:00pm Regular Business
Second Tuesday of the Month:
5:30pm to 9:30pm Regular Business
Third Tuesday of the Month:
9:00am to 4:00pm Regular Business
Fourth Tuesday of the Month:
9:00am to 12:00pm Governance
Changes to the schedule and community meetings/emergency meetings will be communicated to the membership in the following ways: www.okib.ca
www.facebook.com/OkanaganBand www.twitter.com/OkanaganBand Process All requests to be added to the Chief and Council’s agenda must be submitted to the Executive Director by Wednesday at 4:30pm the week before the next meeting. Agenda items are reviewed and approved by the Executive Director and Chief on Thursday afternoon. Contact Stacy Yow, Executive 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 want to receive the Senk’lip News need to call the band office to request to be added to the mailing list.
A big THANK YOU for all the thoughts and condolences acknowledging the passing of Our Sister Eileen Rose Aljam. Your support was very much appreciated from her Vernon Families and Coldwater Families.
Culture & Language
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Annual Traditional Food Feast Limlimt to the 75+ community members that attended the Annual Traditional Food Feast at HOL on January 5th, 2016. This gathering was a way to come together as a community and share good food, good company, prayers and songs. The intent is to do the best we can with what little we know because it is our responsibility to share and pass on what we learn, it is not ours to keep. The night started off with a welcome and a welcome song followed by a “Lim limt, Thank you” prayer. The meal consisted of sƛ̓aʔcinm (deer stew w/ barley), lkalat (oven bannock) ntytyx (chinook salmon), chinamn siɬn (rice), sk̓ʷanɬq (vegetables), stxaƛ̓q nt̓xúlaʔxʷ (huckleberry glazed cake), siya uɬ spiƛ̓əm (saskatoon berries and bitter root), sxʷusumI (Indian ice cream and juice), xʷxʷƛ̓miɬp (Indian tea) and siwɬq (water). Following the meal a short Food is Medicine curriculum development video, an OKIB and School District #22 project. To end the evening 10 drummers joined in with drumming and singing the horse song, woman’s warrior song and travelling song. As we were drumming we gave away all the foods we gathered and preserved throughout the year. Limlimt to the all those that participated in making the evening a success. The cook helpers Keona, Tess and Fabian. The prayer Glenda, Martie, Peggy, and Bev. The hand drummers, Bernie, Bev, Mary, Lucy, Amber, Joanne, Maria, Raymond and Mary. The give-away Danielle and crew. Video presentation Bill C., and Maurice Richard for the photos. Mary Louis, Health Department
Education
Page 4 School Enrollment
Preschool
21
Kindergarten 7 Students were assessed at Grade 1 – 7 One 3 for Reading and Math Two 4 Placement in Septem- Three 3 ber. The majority of our Four 3 students were placed Five 4 within one grade level Six 2 of their actual age. The Seven 2 teachers then formed Reading and Math Groups according to ability as opposed to grade level. Studies have shown that students will show greater overall improvement if they work at their ability level as opposed to grade level.
The Primary class has 6 Reading Groups. There are 3 classroom teachers and one Certified Classroom Education Assistant who is assigned to help with these Reading Groups. Our school has placed a great deal of focus on early intervention. That is why we have 3 teachers assigned to help with the Primary Reading Program. This early intervention will see the majority of our students being able to read by Grade 3. Studies show that if a child is reading by Grade 3 then they have an increased chance of graduating from grade 12.
Math In the Primary Classroom, there are 3 Math Groups. . For enrichment the students may Our School uses DIBELS. DIBELS is Dyuse math centers or one of two school Ipads namic Indicators of Early Literacy Skils after they complete their seatwork. Time for DIBELS . This program uses a set of proce- Primary Math is 11:00 am till 12 noon. dures and measures for assessing the acqui- The Intermediate class has 4 math groups sition of early literacy skills from kindergarten which are ability based. The biggest chalthrough grade seven. . There are three lenge being that there is not enough time for benchmarks that take place during the math. Therefore, students take homework school year (Sept/Oct, February and then home each night and also students are enagain in May). couraged to attend the homework club where The results from our first benchmark indicate the tutor has extra math work for them to that in the Intermediate class there is one complete. Time for Intermediate Math is 1:00 student who requires intense support/ pm – 2:15 pm. intervention. Then there are 4 students who require some intervention/support and that Staffing there are 6 who are within their grade level. 45% of our Intermediate students are not at Primary Teacher: Mrs. Tanya Saddleman Joe grade level and are receiving intervention Intermediate Teacher: Ms. Brittany Meyer with their reading fluency and comprehension. Language Teacher: Ms. Vanessa Smith-Tso 55% of our Intermediate students are at Administrative Assistant: Mrs. Cheryl Louis grade level and receiving limited support. Teacher Assistant/Language Assistant: Miss Our school is one of the only ones who is showing improvement in their DIBELS reTiffany Wilson sults! Our goal is to become a Green School Certified Classroom Assistant: Mrs. Vicky Peters with all of our students reading at grade levNutrition Specialist: Ms. Maggie King el. Curriculum The Cultural Immersion School uses Saxon Math, Read Well (grades 1-3) and Reading Mastery (grades 4 – 7). The teachers and support staff received training in the two Reading Programs in the Fall of 2015. Reading The Intermediate class has 4 Reading Groups. Ms. Meyer is involved in a Professional Learning Community (PLC) gets together once a month via teleconference. It should be mentioned that she sends home pre-reading 3 times a week. Way to go Ms. Meyer’s class! Thank you to the parents for reading with their children each night.
Tutor: 6 Mile Location: Miss Kalli Van Stone Tutor: Head of the Lake: Mrs. Hilda Belanger
egy. We took this year as a transitional year to focus on core subjects (English, Math…) and to develop some resources to assist with Language Development. We have been trying diligently to fill the Language Resource Position. The biggest challenge has been finding a resource that is fluent and willing to work within our curriculum expectations. On a positive note, we are thankful that we have 24 Full Time students here at the Cultural Immersion School. We are doing well with our curriculum and striving to have the best students. We will be hosting a Preregistration event in the Spring so that we can possibly attract even more students to enroll for 2016 2017 Academic Year. Student Incentives at the school Hot lunch program on Tuesdays and Thursdays
Monthly Birthday Cake for staff and students (last Thursday of the month)
Annual Ski Lessons at Silver Star
Attendance Award presented to top students in Primary and Intermediate Class for best attendance. This award is based on students who have missed the least amount of days of school. Awards presented for the Fall Semester before the Christmas Break, Winter Session presented on the last day before Spring Break and the Final Award presented on the last day of school.
Small class size with a great deal of 1:1 support from the school staff
Fall and Winter Semester Awards will be a $50.00 certificate. The End of the Year Award will be an iPad Mini. Fall 2015 Attendance Awards were as follows:
Teacher On Call: Deb Chursinoff & Kim Fowler Principal: Mrs. Joanne Moisese Bus Driver: Evelyn McKay
Primary Class: Reed Wilson Intermediate Class: Pwalxken Joe
Thank you for taking the time to get caught Thank you to our four 1-to-1 Reading Volun- up on what is happening at the Cultural Imteers who assist with half-hour reading ses- mersion School. sions with students 3 times per week. These sessions also help with student’s fluency and All My Relations, comprehension. New Initiative and Challenges JoAnne Moiese As part of our School Assessment Project our school had to undergo a Language Strat-
Snc’c’amala?tn Staff Professional Development On our October 23 staff PD day we hosted the staff from Splatsin Tsm7aksaltn (Childcare and Language Centre) in Enderby to join us in a day of professional development on the Back Pack Kids and curriculum.
Page 5 Cob’s Bakery On November 13 at the Cities Fit for Children Summit, Cob’s Bread received a Champion of the Child award. They were nominated by Lorraine Ladan for their donations. Snc’c’amala?tn, both the daycare and school, are part of their End of Day Giving program where they supply us with unsold bread every week. Cob’s also does the same for a number of other organizations and they partner with the Breakfast Club of Canada to fund school breakfast programs. Champion of the Child awards are sponsored by the North Okanagan Child Care Council. We are very grateful for the high quality bread products that we receive for the children.
Parent Workshop The Head Start program held a parent and We both have a set of the dolls as well as the Friendship Centre. The prestaff workshop on October 27. The worksenters were an Elder from Splatsin, Rosalind Williams who actually had shop was facilitated by Jennifer Fury, the the idea for the project and Cathy Stubington from Runaway Moon Thea- Speech and Language Therapist from tre. Cathy is the theatre Artistic Director and a talented puppeteer. She NONA Child Development Centre. The made the dolls, clothing, backpacks and many items in the backpacks. Our workshop was called Getting It Down: guests joined us for lunch. Our time together was very positive, friendly Helping Young Children Who Struggle and lively. We made a commitment to work together more often as staff with Eating. and to have our children partake in joint activities throughout the year. This This was one of our best attended parent is keeping in spirit with Back Pack Kids project…bringing a message of events. Jennifer provided the group with diversity and acceptance to young children and adults. good information as to what may be goDarlene Wolsey, from the North Okanagan Early Years Screening Project, ing on with young children who are picky came for the afternoon to talk to us about how we are implementing the eaters or have issues with eating and how to make meal / snack time a more ASQ and ASQ-SE. positive experience. We looked at eating habits of young kids and disRachel Marchand visited with a group of ECE students from the Enowkin cussed myths that many people have about children and food. Centre. From the Manager On the November 2 staff PD day, along with staff from the Cultural ImLorraine Ladan mersion School, we met with language specialist Robert Matthew. Staff had the opportunity to have input into the OKIB education strategic planWay from the Infant Toddler Room ning process. Happy Birthday to Violet, Nancy And Tupa January was a very fun month! We were able to get out and enjoy Winter Closures Daycare and School Programs All Closed: Monday, February 8 - Family Fun Day with the other rooms on January 8. All the children enjoyed playing in the snow with everyone else. It is a great experience for the little Day ones that have siblings in the other rooms; it gives them the chance to play Preschool, Kindergarten and the school will be closed on February 18 together. and 19 so that all staff can attend the Annual Okanagan Band School Con- We have been enjoying all the snow. The children love to follow little ference in Penticton at Outma Sqilx'w Cultural School. paths we shovel, and then they try to shovel new paths. With this a remindThe Daycare and Head Start programs will remain open on February er to please send snow gear, mitts, hat, and a change of clothes in case it’s extra wet. This will help ensure they are comfortable throughout their 18 and 19. whole day at the centre.
March 21 to April 1 – Spring Break
Preschool, Kindergarten and the school will be closed for a two-week Spring Break. The daycare and Head Start programs will remain open over Spring Break with the exception of Good Friday on Friday, March 25 and Easter Monday on Monday, March 28. All daycare and school programs are closed on Good Friday and Easter Monday.
Lim Limpt Infant Toddler Staff
Snc’c’amala?tn continued...
Page 6 3 to 5 Year Old Daycare / Head Start Way’ In January we had our Winter Fun Day. Our Head Start room went out front and enjoyed the snow with the Infant/Toddler Room and Preschool Room. The children had so much fun. For January we would like to wish a belated Happy Birthday to Delissa and to Stephanie. For February we would like to wish Jackson and Aurora a Happy Birthday. We hope everyone has a happy Valentine’s Day! Mary Marchand, Jordyn Alexis, Stephanie August, Karen Herriot, Greta Oakes
children used coloured water to spray the snow. They enjoyed making art in the snow. It was nice to see the older children playing with the younger ones. February is Heart Month. We will be learning about healthy eating and exercise. Mona Tronson is planning a day to go to the library (date tentative). A permission slip will be sent out. Happy Valentine’s Day everyone. Thank you, Karla, Ramona, Marnie and Tupa Kindergarten Wi from the P’qelqin room Wai from the P’qel qin room, We started the New Year learning about the winter season and penguins. The class then had a lot of fun listening to Robert Munsch stories in our author study and then choosing their favorite one. Everyone enjoyed Winter Fun Day! There was plenty of snow this year and we had a fun time sledding, playing in the snow and trying out the snowshoes. In Math we have been counting by 1’s and 10’s to 80 and learning about comparing sets of objects using the terms ‘more’, ‘fewer’ and ‘as many as’. The students have been learning about the letters Nn, Pp, Tt and Vv, learning to identify and produce rhyming words and learning how to blend sounds together to read simple words in our Read Well program. Congratulations to Jalen and Shiloh for completing their first home reading sheet! Keep up the good reading! Also, Happy Birthday to Liam who celebrated his 6th birthday in January! Mrs. Alexis and Trish
Preschool Way! From the Speplina Room Happy Birthday wishes to: Gabriel January 19 Alexa January 28 Ivorie January 29 Happy Birthday to: Nevaeh February 9 Mikah February 25 January 8 we celebrated Winter Fun Day. The Infant/Toddler Skimxist Room and Head Start joined us outside in the front of the daycare. The
Six Mile Creek Education Centre Six Mile Creek Education Centre is now located in the Blue Bird Building on the Head of the Lake Road, beside the Health Building since the beginning of January. Our phone number is the same: 250 542-9379. Six Mile is a computer based program that offers a variety of courses for high school. We are a part of the Alternate Programs of School District 22 along with The Open Door in Vernon and Cross-Roads in Lumby. I do realize the name no longer appropriate. The staff here are: Principal, Bruce Weitzel; Teacher, Larry Hemmingson; Student Liaison, Anna Marchand. Diana Horsley is head secretary for all Alternate Programs. We
don’t have a support worker or CEA here because Aboriginal funding is basically for school age students. If anyone would like more information about registering for a course drop in and talk to one of the staff or call 250 542-9379 . Adults require a minimum of 20 credits to graduate as set out with the Ministry of Education.
secondary funding application is April 30 each year. Besides this funding, students must remember that each college or university have a deadline date for each program. Be sure to check it out as well as the prerequisites of the program. Both are very important. Be prepared. Did you know that Accounting 11 and Accounting 12 is equivalent to first year accounting at Okanagan College?
Regular school age students (19 yrs before July 1st of the school year) require 80 credits A new math brush up course is now offered based on Grade 10, Grade 11 and Grade 12 to students who had problems with math courses. while in school. It’s the Literacy of Math Foundations 5. It’s an excellent brush up for Students must remember that the deadline students who need to help adding, subtractfor Okanagan Indian Band Education Posting, multiplying or dividing fractions.
Six Mile Creek Education Centre continued... It’s divided into 11 units. Understanding Whole Numbers; Fractions; Decimals; Percents; Ratio and Proportion; Measurement; Algebra; Geometry; Statistics and Probability; and Understanding Graphs.
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Here is a list of the courses offered. Most are on-line. If you’d like more information about each course stop in at the school and a course outline can be printed off for you to review or you can go to vlearn and take a look at the course information there. Foods and Nutrition 10
Physics 11
After reading a chapter, if a student decides Accounting 12 Communications 12 he/she is competent that they understand the Apprenticeship and Work- Data Management 12 information in the unit, the unit test can be place Mathematics 10 challenged without completing the exercises.
Foods and Nutrition 11
Physics 12
Foods and Nutrition 12
Planning 10
If you find you need more work, then you can Apprenticeship and Work- Earth Science 11 place Mathematics 11 go back and complete the exercises before taking the unit test again! Art Foundations 11 English 10
French 11
Planning 12 (adults only)
French 12
Pre-calculus 11
English 11
Geography 12
Principals of Mathematics 11
English 12
Law 12
Principals of Mathematics 12
Family Studies 12
Physical Education 10
Science 10
There is also a Literacy of English.
Accounting 11
Art Foundations 12
Did you know that adults require 20 credits to Biology 11 graduate. Language Arts 12 ; a Math 11 course and 3 other Grade 12 courses with Biology 12 the exception of Social Studies 11, which can be used for credits if the course was Calculus 12 completed as a school age student.
Youth Calendar
Communications 11
Foundations of Mathemat- Physical Education 11 ics 11
Science and Technology 11
Chemistry 11
First Nations 12
Social Studies 10
Chemistry 12
Foundations of Mathematics and Pre-Calculus 10
Physical Education 12
Social Studies 11
Community
Page 8 Kelowna Daily Courier – January 14, 2016
OKIB hoping to get its house back in order To the editor: You want to know what it's like for the Okanagan Indian Band having thousands of acres littered with bombs? Scene Mom = The Monarch
"Hey kiddo!" says uncle, "Yep, I've committed to cleaning up the mess and I'll assess the situation just as soon as you tell me what your plans are for the property—are you going to have a party?" "No uncle, I just want my house back to how you found it." "Well, until you tell me what you need it cleaned for, I just can't drop everything and come clean up that mess," says uncle. "You mean your mess?" you retort. "Let's not point fingers."
Uncle = Department of National De**Fade** fense You = An Okanagan Indian So you own this beautiful home out in the country. It's not as close as you would like it to be, so you don't always get out there.
OKIB Executive Director Retiring Letter to the membership January 26, 2016 Dear OKIB Member, It has been a privilege to working for the Okanagan Indian Band as your Executive Director. We have made progress in strengthening the administration and program delivery and have set the foundation for future success in many areas including rights and title, economic development, training and employment opportunities, health and education, and infrastructure and housing. Over the past three years the Nation has addressed important issues, filled vital roles in the administration, and offered great programs through each department. At this time I have made the decision to retire from the workforce and move on to enjoy my time with family and friends. My last day will be January 29, 2015. I wish the Okanagan Indian Band Chief and Council, Staff and Community Members strength to support each other and work together as a team on the many great initiatives planned in the coming years. Your future has many opportunities for significant progress on initiatives ranging from Rights and Title issues to program expansion and funding. Your Chief and Council and Administration are working hard to create success. My wife and I will always value our time in your community and territory. Thank you for taking the time to read this quarterly report. If you have any questions, or concerns, please contact the appropriate department director for more information. Respectfully, Ken McGregor Executive Director – OKIB
One day you get a call from your mom, "Let your uncle borrow your house for a while, he and some friends are going to do some training."
If the Department of National Defense filled your property with unexploded bombs, grenades, white phosphorous and other munitions, you wouldn't accept the DND's response. "...DND will continue to assess and initiate clearances once the Band has finalized its economic development implementation plan and timelines."
Internet trolls aside (hello!) more thoughtful people with the most eleYou don't want to to do it, but hey— mentary sense of right and wrong mom already 'voluntold' you that it's know this: For better or for worse, going to happen. despite being second class citizens on their own land—unable to vote, buy cattle or leave the reserve withYou let your uncle borrow your out permission—dozens of men and country house and a few weeks after women from the Okanagan Indian he's done with it, you decide to go Band volunteered to serve this councheck on the property. try during the Boer War, First World War, Second World War and beyond. You arrive and it's a disaster. The entire place is a pig sty. There are Their sacrifices helped provide the holes in the wall, someone stole your freedom we all enjoy today and I mounted moose head, beer cans think a real tribute to a man like strewn about and they took the doors George McLean, an OKIB member and windows off so you're unable to who single handedly captured 19 even use the house yourself now. prisoners at the Battle of Vimy Ridge, would be to clean the land he came from and the land he fought "Uh, Mom, did you see what uncle for. did to my house?" you ask. "Yes dear, I heard about it." "Is he going to clean it up?" "He said he would..." Fast forward 50 years and you still can't use your house.
You wouldn't accept it if it happened to your house or to your property, so why should the OKIB? Joseph Jack, Armstrong Reprinted with permission.
You call your uncle and say "You know uncle, I think it's time you clean up the mess you made of my country home."
Website link below http://www.lakecountrycalendar.com/opinion/ letters/365066351.html
Community
REMINDER: The cut-off date for Housing Surveys is February 15, 2016! Contact Housing at 250-542-3444 for more information
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COMMUNITY MEMBERS SHARING A TRADITIONAL MEAL AND PRESENTATION , January 5, 2016
Page 10 Here is a selection of available job opportunities through OKIB.
Employment More jobs are posted on the website at www.okib.ca
Training Opportunity
Page 11
Use of UXO detection equipment and ordnance location techniques Electric and non-electric demolition procedures
Requirements Minimum of 18 years of age Pass a five-panel drug screen within 30 days of class start date Valid Driver’s License Physician’s Statement and Health Status/ Medical Report Criminal Record check Valild Canadian Passport and ability to travel to the US Recommended Physical examination in accordance should physically able to walk, stand and bend for Department of Defence and OKIB UXO Removal Team, 2015 extended periods; lift a minimum of 40 lbs. without assistance. Capable of working safely in stressful situations and extreme weather Unexploded Ordnance Technician Training: This course provides participants with com- conditions (heat, humidity, cold, rain, snow, The Okanagan Indian band has funding to prehensive, hands-on training in the safe de- etc.). send 3 members for training in the UXO field tection, location, identification, and disposal to help with the UXO clearance effort on of unexploded ordnance using the techIf you are interested in learning more about OKIB Lands. niques and emerging technologies of today’s the unexploded ordnance (UXO) training, UXO remediation industry. contact Don Louis at 250-542-3444, or don.louis@okanagan.org for more inforDeadline to apply: February 12, 2016 mation. UXO Technician, Level 1 Training Description: Applications (including a copy of valid driver’s license and a completed criminal records Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service (TEEX) developed the first civilian UXO check) can be submitted in person, or by Technician I course in 1999 and remains the mail to OKIB Human Resources, or only program to have ever been certified by emailed to: the Department of Defense Explosive Safety humanresources@okanagan.org Board (DDESB). In 2012 the National Association of Ordnance Contractors (NAOC) recognized this course as meeting, and exceeding, all UXO Tech I training requirements established by DDESB Technical Paper 18, Minimum Qualifications for Unexploded Ordnance (UXO) Technicians and Personnel. Topics: Overview of UXO Environmental Remediation Explosives and explosive effects Ordnance Safety, Identification and Characteristic (Grenades, Landmines, Submunitions, Projectiles and Mortars, Projectile Fuses, Rockets, Guided Missiles, Bomb Fuses, Aircraft Bombs, Dispensers, Dispenser Sub- munitions, Pyrotechnics, Chemical Agents and Compounds, Chemical Ordnance) Fuse functioning and identification Firing devices, other explosive devices, and miscellaneous hazards UXO disposal techniques
UXO TECHNICIAN TRAINING OPPORTUNITY
Apply by FEBRUARY 12, 2016
Community
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Anyone interested in joining a committee: Topic: Indian Days Gathering at Komasket Park 2017 Meeting: Saturday February 6, 2016 Time: 1:00pm Location: Unit 5 - Bluebird Building Contact Carl for more information at 778-212-9801
Pictured from left to right: Executive Director of Allan Brooks Nature Centre Aaron Deans; Mayor of Coldstream Jim Garlicky; OKIB Councillor Allan Louis; and Mayor of Vernon Akbal Mund cutting cake at BC Rivers Day.