Show Home Opens at Canyon Desert Community in Oliver

Posted on April 23, 2012 by admin

Osoyoos Indian Band with Bellstar create a new residential community in Oliver, British Columbia

OLIVER, BC (April 20th, 2012): A brand new show home, opening to the public this week, will mark the official launch of the Canyon Desert development, bringing sought after luxury residences to the community of Oliver, in Canada’s warmest place to live and play – the South Okanagan.

The Canyon Desert development is one of the South Okanagan’s largest new projects to proceed with construction in 2012. Located on the edge of the Osoyoos Indian Band’s NK’MIP Canyon Desert Golf Course, 12 of 17 homes in the first stage have been sold and will be completed in late summer and fall of 2012. Over the next three years, it is expected that the development will host 81 single family resort homes in Phase 1 of this multi-phase project.

Canyon Desert is a testimony to resort residential developers Bellstar Developments Inc. and the relationship with the pioneering Osoyoos Indian Band. These luxuriously finished two- and three-bed homes offer 1,050 to 1,550 sq.ft. for indoor-living plus over 500 sq.ft. of outdoor-living space. These homes, with two car attached garages, are being developed within a master planned community, which includes the golf course, community centre, parks, trail systems and other amenities.

“This is the first resort residential community of this calibre to be developed in Oliver,” said Chief Clarence Louie of the Osoyoos Indian Band. “It will create positive spin-off benefits for Oliver and the entire South Okanagan – giving a boost to employment, shops, restaurants and other businesses. Canyon Desert Resort can do for this community what Spirit Ridge has done for Osoyoos over the past 10 years.”

Bellstar is proud to lead the development of Canyon Desert community, which reinforces the appeal of the area’s wine country lifestyle and helps shape the town of Oliver with its first residential resort and golf community. Surrounded by mountains, desert, lakes, vineyards and orchards, this picturesque community situated at the northern-most tip of the Sonora Desert, offers easy access to more than 120 wineries in the region and has earned a reputation as the ‘Wine Capital of CanadaTM’. Attractive residences, outstanding resort community amenities and stunning appeal of the region are proving to be the winning combination that is enticing buyers to relocate year-round to the South Okanagan.

“We are thrilled to introduce our brand new show suite to prospective home owners,
looking to settle in the incredible South Okanagan region,” says Ed Romanowski, President & CEO of Bellstar Group Inc. “The golf villa collection offers exceptional resort living with a focus on thoughtfully-designed layouts and expansive verandas and patio spaces to enjoy the region’s enviable weather and 300 days of sunshine per year.”

The partnership team behind the project is the highly successful Osoyoos Indian Band Development Corporation, Bellstar Developments Inc., and GGC Development. Bellstar’s proven and successful partnership with the Osoyoos Indian Band has received international acclaim though their Osoyoos-based property, Spirit Ridge Vineyard Resort & Spa.

The first phase of the Canyon Desert development will inject over $25 million into the local and regional economies creating hundreds of jobs and supporting many existing and new businesses. The new residents – over 200 of them – will also provide a welcome boost to the local economy, including more year round shoppers, golfers and winery customers.

For information on owning at Canyon Desert, visit www.owncanyondesertresort.com or call 877.798.3498.

Ed Romanowski and Chief Clarence Louie are available for interview and rendering shots are available for publication.

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About Bellstar Group Inc.:

Bellstar manages and develops resort residential communities, vacation resorts and boutique hotels in Alberta’s Rocky Mountains, British Columbia’s Okanagan Valley, Coastal Regions and Kicking Horse Mountain Resort. The boutique hospitality brand combines award-winning service, employment standards and marketing excellence to deliver exceptional resort experiences for guests and owners alike. For more information on Bellstar, visit www.bellstar.com.

Media Contact (Bellstar Group Inc.)

Hawksworth Communications

Marisa Cuglietta

T: 604 609 6678 / E: marisa@hawksworth.ca

 

About the Osoyoos Indian Band:

The entrepreneurial Osoyoos Indian Band is one of the most progressive First
Nations in Canada. The 475-member Band runs nine businesses and employs 700 people, including the largest tourism resort in the South Okanagan region of British Columbia, Senkulmen Business Park, a desert cultural centre, and NK’MIP Cellars – the first Aboriginal-owned winery in North America. Osoyoos Indian Band businesses have won numerous environmental, architectural, and business awards for their innovation. For more information about the Osoyoos Indian Band Development Corporation, visit www.oibdc.ca

 Media Contact (Osoyoos Indian Band)

Good Relations Inc.

Bill Eisenhauer

T: 1-250-383-5605 / E: bill@goodrelations.ca

 

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BC business people among Canada’s coolest entrepreneurs

Posted on April 18, 2012 by admin

Locals well represented in Profit Magazine’s Fabulous 30

VANCOUVER (NEWS1130) – They are Canada’s coolest, smartest, and most inspiring entrepreneurs — and some of them are from BC.

We are running down some of the local names in Profit Magazine‘s “Fabulous 30″ list.

The criteria was simple, pick 30 of the country’s brightest business minds you’d want speaking to a group of high schoolers.

Local luminaries include NBA star Steve Nash and BC billionaire Jim Pattison.

“Here’s a man who runs the third largest private company in Canada, $7.2 billion in annual sales, 83-years-old, and he’s not showing any signs of stopping,” explains Profit editor-in-chief Ian Portsmouth.

“Recently, he purchased his two auto dealerships outside of British Columbia, so here’s somebody who is continuing to expand.”

Steve Nash was singled out for his business ventures away from the basketball court.

“He’s using entrepreneurship to achieve those goals that he wants to achieve when he leaves the court in a year or two’s time,” says Portsmouth.

Also on the list are Osoyoos Indian Band Chief Clarence Louie and Devon Brooks, the founder of Vancouver-based Blo Blow dry bar, which now has 25 locations in Canada and the United States.

viagra

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First National Aboriginal Tourism Conference a Success

Posted on March 30, 2012 by admin

In the photo, Osoyoos Indian Band (OIB) Chief Clarence Louie  speaks to the first  national Aboriginal Tourism Conference, at the  OIB’s Nk’Mip Resort in  south-central British Columbia. (TOTA photo)

————————————

Canada’s first national Aboriginal Tourism Conference wrapped up in  Osoyoos, B.C. on March 30 with 180 participants from across the country  having shared details of their growing industry and considered ways to  increase collaboration to develop new high-quality Aboriginal tourism  destinations that will attract more visitors from around the world.

The three-day conference – hosted by the Aboriginal Tourism  Association of British Columbia (AtBC), the Thompson Okanagan Tourism  Association (TOTA), and the Osoyoos Indian Band (OIB) – heard inspiring  speeches about successful world-class Aboriginal tourism products across  the county.

Conference co-chairs AtBC CEO Keith Henry and TOTA CEO Glenn Mandziuk  say they heard the message during the groundbreaking conference that  the growth of Aboriginal cultural tourism will be driven by more  partnerships, a more strategic approach, and the development of  high-quality destinations that tell the story of First Nations people in  an authentic way – providing rich, memorable experiences for Canadian  and international visitors.

“This conference exceeded our expectations – both in attendance and  energy,” Henry says.  “To have 180 people attend from across the country  including Ontario, Alberta, B.C., Nunavut and the Northwest Territories  – is fantastic, and their commitment to expanding the Aboriginal  tourism sector is tremendous.  We were also pleased as roughly 1,700  individuals tuned in to watch a live broadcast online that was set up to  invite the public to watch our industry at work.”

He adds, “People from around the world want to come to Canada and see  and experience Aboriginal culture and heritage, and we are gearing up  to develop and market an increasing number of authentic experiences.”

Henry says he expects this conference will spark more regional and  provincial networking and strategies to help First Nations communities  and entrepreneurs adopt best practices as they develop their cultural  tourism businesses, attractions, events, and tourism packages.

He  presented details of AtBC’s recently launched new 5-Year Plan, entitled  The Next Phase 2012-2017, which notes that Aboriginal tourism revenue  in B.C. more than doubled in five years – rising to $42 million in 2011,  up from $20 million in 2006.  The AtBC Plan calls for more investment,  collaboration and quality assurance to continue to grow the sector,  which is forecasted to be $68 million by 2017 and provide about 4,000  jobs to Aboriginal people.

Mandziuk says TOTA is working closely with AtBC to help develop a  regional Aboriginal tourism strategy for the Thompson Okanagan, a  portion of B.C.’s Southern Interior the size of Ireland.

“The new 10-Year Regional Tourism Strategy developed by our  stakeholders identifies Aboriginal cultural tourism as a key area that  we need to support and help to grow,” Mandziuk says.  “We have  world-class First Nations destinations in the region – like the Osoyoos  Indian Band’s Nk’Mip Resort and the Little Shuswap Indian Band’s Quaaout  Lodge & Talking Rock Golf Golf Course – and we want to support  First Nations’ development of more destinations and experiences,” he  adds.  “Travellers from Europe, Asia and America want to see and learn  about the unique Interior Salish culture, and attracting more visitors  will be good for all parts of the tourism industry.”

During  this national conference, TOTA held a workshop with 35 of its  Aboriginal tourism stakeholders to map out new ways to promote  networking and tourism product development throughout the region.

OIB Chief Clarence Louie, a national leader in Aboriginal tourism and  economic development, told the conference he is proud when he visits  high-quality Aboriginal businesses and tourism destinations across  Canada because he knows that economic success is the route to  independence and self-sufficiency for First Nations.

“You can’t talk about self-government if you don’t have your own jobs  and your own businesses,” Chief Louie said, adding that tourism  businesses can play a big role in that economic development.  His own  band has just 200 employment-age adults, but it employs 700 people in  its nine businesses.  “In the past 10 years First Nations have generated  more income and more jobs than they did in the previous 100 years.”  He  said they path to success for Aboriginal businesses is setting high  standards, with a professional approach and attention to details.

Other speakers at the Aboriginal Tourism Conference included: Dr.  Peter Williams, Director of Simon Fraser University’s Centre for Tourism  Policy and Research; Chris Bower, General Manager of OIB’s Nk’Mip  Resort; Deneen Allen, President of Pure North Sustainable Tourism  Development; Casey Vanden Heuvel, Executive Director of the Squamish  Lil’wat Cultural Centre; and Member of Parliament Joyce Murray, Liberal  Critic for Small Business & Tourism.

Murray gave the conference the Liberal Party’s view of some of the  challenges and key issues for the development and international  marketing of Aboriginal tourism.  “It’s very important that we ensure we  have a thriving Aboriginal tourism industry,” Murray added, noting  there is worldwide demand from travellers who want to know more about  First Nations culture.  “A regional strategy is a very important  concept, because through partnerships you can create a critical mass,  and that is a much more effective approach.”  Murray took the  opportunity at the conference to meet a number of the participants and  hear about Aboriginal tourism success stories from across Canada.

Conference Co-Chair and AtBC CEO Keith Henry is pictured at right.

AtBC presented its 2012 Aboriginal Tourism Awards at a gala banquet  on the evening of March 29.  Winners were:  Squamish Lil’wat Cultural  Centre (in Whistler) for ‘Cultural Centres & Attractions’; Sasquatch  Crossing Eco Lodge (in Agassiz) for ‘Outstanding Accommodations’;  Cariboo Chilcotin Jet Boat Adventures (in Williams Lake) and Takaya  Tours (in North Vancouver) co-winners for ‘Outdoor Adventure’; Grouse  Mountain (in North Vancouver) for ‘Industry Partner’; Salmon-n-Bannock  Bistro (in Vancouver) for ‘Food & Beverage’; Khot-la-cha Art Gallery  & Gift Shop (in North Vancouver) for ‘Retail’; and Le-la-la Dancers  at the Klahowya Village in Stanley Park (in Vancouver) for ‘Artist  & Entertainment’.

The conference used a new technology from Broadcast Live, an  Aboriginal-owned North Vancouver company, to present taped and  live-streamed video of its sessions online at: http://new.livestream.com/accounts/286182/events/284151.

FOR INFORMATION CONTACT:

Keith Henry, CEO

Aboriginal Tourism Assn of BC (AtBC)

Tel: 604-921-1070 ext 222      Email: khenry@aboriginalbc.com

Glenn Mandziuk, CEO

Thompson Okanagan Tourism Assn (TOTA)

Tel: 250-860-5999 ext 216     Email: ceo@totabc.com

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NEW CORRECTIONAL FACILITY AT OSOYOOS INDIAN BAND SITE NEAR OLIVER HUGE, HISTORIC BOOST FOR ENTIRE SOUTH OKANAGAN, SAYS MAYOR WELLS

Posted on February 10, 2012 by admin

feb-8-new-jail-louie

Posted on 08 February 2012 by Keith Lacey, Osoyoos Times.

Osoyoos Indian Band Chief Clarence Louie made the historic announcement Monday that the OIB Senulkemen Enterprise Park near Oliver had been selected by the provincial government as the site for a new $200-million correctional facility. The facility is expected to create 1,000 direct and indirect jobs during construction and 250 full-time positions once open. B.C. Premier Christy Clark and local MLA John Slater were on hand for the announcement as were many Correctional Services Canada officers and media members from across the country. Photo by Keith Lacey

Osoyoos Mayor Stu Wells calls the pending construction of the new provincial correctional facility near Oliver one of the single-most important economic development projects in the history of the South Okanagan.

The B.C. government and premier Christy Clarke announced Monday it had selected the Osoyoos Indian Band’s proposed site seven kilometres north of Oliver in the Senkulmen Enterprise Park on Highway 97 as the location for a new Okanagan correctional centre. Clark was joined by Okanagan-Similkameen MLA John Slater, Osoyoos Indian Band chief Clarence Louie and provincial minister of public safety Shirley Bond in making the historic announcement.

A large gathering of provincial leaders, OIB band members, correctional officers and media gathered at the proposed site Monday morning.

“This is going to lift all of the communities in the South Okanagan,” said Wells following Monday’s formal announcement. “This is the biggest thing the South Okanagan has seen in a such a long time. It’s just going to provide a real shot in the arm economically and a real boost of energy to the entire area.”

The 360-cell prison is expected to create up to 500 direct and 500 indirect jobs during the construction phase and another 250 full-time jobs once the centre opens in late 2015 or early 2016, said Clark.

The next step is to complete a detailed business plan within the next six months, so construction can begin as quickly as possible, said Bond, who added the facility will more than double corrections capacity in B.C.s interior.

Louie received the loudest applause during the formal announcement when he proclaimed the OIB had been waiting several years for this announcement.

“It has been a long time coming, but it has been worth the wait,” said Louie.

Clark said the new correctional centre will not only add to the province’s $185-million commitment to capital projects in corrections across the province over the past several months, but the economic benefits to the South Okanagan will be felt for many years.

“It will bring young families to the South Okanagan,” she said. “This is a big move forward for making life better for many families in British Columbia.”

With more than 240 permanent full-time jobs being created once the facility opens and another 1,000 jobs during construction, area schools and regional hospitals will benefit as will the entire economic basin stretching from Penticton to Osoyoos, said the premier.

The OIB site was selected as the preferred location after a comprehensive and detailed independent study and it’s clear this band’s long history of success played a significant role, said Clark.

“They are an absolutely sterling partner for this project,” she said. “The Osoyoos Indian Band owns more businesses per capita than any other band in this country … we’re proud to partner with them on this project.”

Louie took the time to credit OIB members Darren Baptiste and his brother Shorty, who recently passed away, for doing diligent work on behalf of the band over several years after the province confirmed five or six years ago there was a chance a new correctional facility would be built in the South Okanagan.

“Shorty, I’m sure you are up there listening today,” said Louie smiling.

The OIB has enjoyed a great deal of success over the past several years, but having a project and facility of this size that will benefit so many people and create so many jobs is historic, said Louie.

“It’s a big and important day for the Osoyoos Indian Band,” he said. “It’s so awesome to see the biggest project to come to this area in a long, long time is with correctional services and the provincial government.”

Louie said he looks forward to working closely with the provincial government and Correctional Services Canada for many years to come as this project develops from construction through to opening and operating.

He also looks forward to implementing unique and progressive programming once the jail is open to assist aboriginal offenders, who continue to make up a disproportionately large percentage of the inmate population in Canadian prisons, said Louie.

Since taking an extended tour of several correctional facilities in western Canada a couple of years ago, Louie said he and the OIB made a commitment to try and implement programs and support systems to attempt to assist and rehabilitate aboriginal offenders and this will be a key focus once the new jail opens.

Okanagan College is very interested in being a partner in developing programs to train correctional officers as well as training for offenders who want training and he looks forward to working with college officials in developing these programs in the next couple of years, said Louie.

Bond said the announcement for the new correctional facility did test the patience of many people, but the government was determined to select the best site.

“There was certainly a bit of a wait, but we got it right,” she said. “This is a historic day.”

When the provincial government first indicated it was interested in building a new jail in the South Okanagan, many communities were not interested, but that

The Osoyoos Indian Band has 460 members and employs approximately 700 people.

Their enterprises contribute $40 million to the local economy.

Lumby, Summerland, Penticton and the Penticton Indian Band also bid on the jail. The City of Penticton rescinded its bid in June 2011 following a community referendum.

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B.C. announces site for Okanagan correctional centre

Posted on February 6, 2012 by admin

Site announced for Okanagan correctional centre

B.C. announces site for Okanagan
correctional centre

For Immediate Release – Office of the Premeir, Ministry of Public safety and Solicitor General

OSOYOOS – The Province has selected the Osoyoos Indian Band’s proposed site, in the
Senkulmen Enterprise Park on Highway 97, as the preferred location for a new
Okanagan correctional centre, Premier Christy Clark announced today.

“This project has the potential to bring incredible economic benefits to the South
Okanagan and greater public safety for communities, correctional staff and
inmates across our province,” said Premier Clark. “We look forward to working in
partnership with the Osoyoos Indian Band to complete a detailed business plan as
the next step in moving this project forward.”

The project will create up to 500 direct and 500 indirect jobs. On completion, the
centre will provide the equivalent of 240 new, full-time positions and will more
than double corrections capacity in B.C.’s Interior.

After a thorough evaluation of sites proposed by two communities and two bands, BC
Corrections selected the industrial park as the best location for the 360-cell
facility. Key considerations included project costs, zoning, environmental
impacts, accessibility to major transportation routes and the projected
completion date.

“The high-security, state-of-the-art centre we envision continues the record
investments we are making in the corrections system,” said Shirley Bond,
Minister of Public Safety, Solicitor General and Attorney General. “We are
currently completing the $185-million Phase 1 expansion plan and today’s
announcement begins the next phase. The Okanagan correctional centre will add
new cells and more corrections officers and will go a long way toward addressing
capacity needs in the system.”

“Today’s welcome news reflects well on the strength of the business case we presented and
the confidence we and the Province feel in each other as partners in this
significant project,” said Chief Clarence Louie, Chief Executive Officer,
Osoyoos Indian Band. “Our band owns the most businesses per capita of any First
Nation in Canada, which makes us a major economic driver in our region. This
project will only build on our history of success.”

“In my decades of working for Osoyoos – with the chamber of commerce, on council and as its MLA – I can think of few developments promising the long-term economic
benefits of this new centre,” said Boundary-Similkameen MLA John Slater. “Many
major business successes in our region have links to the Osoyoos Indian Band,
and I believe the Province has made a very sound choice of partner for this
project.”

The 45-acre Senkulmen Enterprise Park lies 28 kilometres south of Penticton and
seven kilometres north of Oliver. The project, the first partnership of its kind
between BC Corrections and a First Nation, will be a key component of Phase 2 of
the Province’s historic corrections capital plan. The completed facility will
contribute to an overall increase of almost 800 new cells on the Lower Mainland,
in the Interior and in the North since 2008.

Quick Facts:

  •  In early May 2011, five local governments and First Nations – the Village of Lumby, District of Summerland, City of Penticton, Penticton Indian Band and Osoyoos Indian Band – proposed a total of 13 sites. BC Corrections staff visited all of the proposed sites and met with local government and First Nations
    staff.
  • The City of Penticton subsequently rescinded its two site proposals in June
    2011.
  • A detailed evaluation based on the proposal information and site visits
    followed.
  • The proposed Okanagan correctional centre will consist of 360 secure cells in 10
    living units at an estimated construction cost of approximately $200
    million.
  • Construction timelines and a projected completion date will follow
    the development of the comprehensive business case during the ongoing planning phase. The project will be assessed for procurement as a public-private
    partnership.
  • Three other capital projects have already been completed or are currently underway as part of Phase 1 of the Province’s corrections capital plan:
  • 20 new cells at Prince George Regional Correctional Centre (completed).
  •  104 new cells at Alouette Correctional Centre for Women (nearing completion).
  • 216 new cells at Surrey Pretrial Services Centre (site preparation began in January 2012).
  • The Osoyoos Indian Band has 460 members, employs approximately 700 people and already contributes $40 million to the local economy. The band also administers its own health, social and educational services.

Learn More:

Learn more about BC Corrections:  www.pssg.gov.bc.ca/corrections/index.htm

Visit the Osoyoos Indian Band’s website:  www.oibdc.ca

Contacts:
Chris Olsen
Press Secretary
Office of the Premier
604-220-1640

 

 Government Communications and Public Engagement Ministry
of Public Safety and Solicitor General 250-356-6961

Connect with the Province of B.C. at: www.gov.bc.ca/connect

 

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Osoyoos Indian Band Presents Plan to open Halfway House for Aboriginal Offenders in Osoyoos

Posted on February 2, 2012 by admin

Osoyoos Indian Band Presents Plan to open Halfway House for Aboriginal Offenders in Osoyoos

Posted on 01 February 2012 by Keith Lacey, Osoyoos Times.

The same principles of hard work and pride in their native culture that have made the Osoyoos Indian Band (OIB) one of the most progressive and successful in Canada will be at the core of ensuring a new halfway house for aboriginal offenders gains community support here in Osoyoos, says Chief Clarence Louie.

“This is about helping my people,” said Louie, following a presentation to town council Monday about the OIB’s plan to own and operate, with assistance for Correctional Service of Canada (CSC) a five-room halfway house proposed for 45 Street heading towards the Spirit Ridge resort. “Talk is cheap, we can’t say we want to help our people, but say not here in my backyard.

“It’s easy for people to say they want Grade A furniture in their homes, but they don’t want foresty in their backyard. Everyone has tons of stuff in their home made out of metal, but most don’t want mining in their backyard. I want to help my people and I’m prepared to do it here in my backyard.”

Louie made a brief presentation before council about why the OIB wants to get involved, before Melissa Taylor, project manager for aboriginal offenders and Lorrie Kelsey, area director, answered numerous questions from councillors about the halfway house called NK’Mip House.

NK’Mip House, as proposed, would be a five-bedroom home that would host conditionally released, aboriginal male federal and provincial offenders.

No offenders with any convictions for sex-related offences will be eligible for residency at the proposed halfway house in Osoyoos.

In keeping with the values of the OIB, employment and pride in aboriginal heritage are the cornerstones of the program, Louie told council.

Louie participated in a Blue Ribbon Panel, which conducted an independent review of the CSC. It’s through this exposure with CSC, that the OIB became interested in developing a housing and employment program for aboriginal offenders to help them with the reintegration by instilling the values of hard work and pride in aboriginal heritage, that have been the foundation for the success of the people of the Osoyoos Indian Band for decades, Louie told council.

Every resident accepted into the program would be responsible for contributing to the functioning of the household and to secure gainful employment on or off the reserve, he said. They would be charged $500 a month and be responsible for cleaning their room and household cleaning.

NK’Mip House would be run by a house leader who works full-time hours within the house, said Taylor. The house leader would play a significant role in creating a “home like atmosphere”, while also providing structures and rules for co-operative living, said Taylor. The house leader would also assist residents in obtaining employment after their admission to the house.

Entry level positions will be available for those with little job skills or training. For residents who possess job ready skills, an effort will be made to put them in a position that will match their skill set and allow for professional growth, she said.

The OIB would be responsible for owning the house and operating it, but would work in a close partnership with CSC staff, who run similar programs throughout B.C., including successful halfway houses in Kelowna and Kamloops, said Taylor.

1996, The Canadian Government commissioned an investigation on the government policy with respect to the historical nations of this country. The Co-chair of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples is famously quoted as saying; “The legacy of Canada’s Treatment of aboriginal people is one of waste, wasted potential, wasted money and wasted lives,” Taylor told council during her presentation.

Problems in Aboriginal Communities were related in large part to the intentional movement by the government to assimilate aboriginal people into society by requiring them to abandon their language, culture and heritage, she said.

Assimilation policies have done great damage, leaving a legacy of brokenness affecting aboriginal individuals, families and communities.

It concluded that “the justice system had failed Aboriginal peoples” and the key indicator of this failure was the steadily increasing over-representation of aboriginal people in Canadian penitentiaries and prisons, Taylor said.

Aboriginal Peoples make up about four per cent of Canadian society, however, they comprise about 20 per cent of the prison population.

The Commission stated all Canadians need to have a greater recognition and understanding of aboriginal community issues as well as aboriginal cultures and traditions, she said.

“We must ask ourselves as Canadians, what is our collective and individual responsibility when it comes to helping aboriginal communities, families and individuals to continue to heal from the damage that was done through these government policies?” she asked.

Taylor is hopeful local residents show up in large numbers to get questions answered and have a better idea of the facility during a public open house set for Tuesday, Feb. 14 from 4:30 – 6:30 p.m. at 7851 45 Street.

Weekend staff members would work four hours each day on the weekend and would check in regularly with residents and assist them to engage in social and recreational activities that promote healthy integration into the community, Taylor said.,

A private security company would also be hired to conduct regular checkups at the house as detailed in CSC protocol, including overnight checks, she said.

A high-tech security system, including numerous alarms and cameras, will also monitor when residents are there and ensure they are following house rules and protocol, she said.

If a resident tries to sneak out or isn’t where he is supposed to be, parole officers and authorities will be contacted and appropriate action will be taken, she said.

An Elder will be selected to work with residents and provided one-on-one counselling and support and will offer the opportunity to take part in cultural, spiritual and social activities available on the OIB reserve, including psychological and drug and alcohol counselling, sweat lodges, drumming classes, fishing, hunting, community events and language classes, she said.

Each resident will be supervised by his parole officer and will be able to access CSC programming as well, said Taylor. An aboriginal liaison officer will be closely involved with the residents and serve as an additional member of the case management team.

Each resident will be monitored regularly with respect to their progress as well as potential risk, said Taylor.

A close working relationship between CSC, the house leader, OIB chief and counsel will ensure residents meet the expectations set out by the parole board, said Taylor.

Once an offender who is interested in living at NK’Mip House approaches a eligibility date for release, an institutional parole officer will send a request to the Kelowna office requesting a community strategy be completed by a community parole officer.

A screening committee, made up of CSC staff, community members and key stakeholders will have an opportunity to screen the cases and determine if they are prepared to accept the offender into the halfway house.

A community assessment and strategy outlining the acceptance and expectations of the offender are then detailed.

Members of the screening committee will include numerous professionals from CSS, parole officers, psychologist, mental health nurse, police liaison, aboriginal community liaison officer and member at large from the public.

Staff hired will have to be aboriginal and fully qualified to meet the various job descriptions available, said Taylor. In the event a qualified aboriginal person does not express an interest in these positions, successful candidates would receive appropriate cultural and spiritual training in order to ensure the aboriginal integrity of the house and program is fulfilled, said Kelsey.

Offenders accepted into the program must adhere to a very strict set of rules and if they breach, they will be asked to leave or returned to prison if they commit any further offence, said Taylor.

“They can’t be 10 minutes late from being where they said they would be or we’ll make a call to the national office in Ottawa,” she said. “If a resident decides to sneak out for a couple of beers, they will be caught on camera. We will know what they are doing because of the cameras and monitoring systems.”

All offenders being sent to a halfway house are clearly informed they must abide by very strict rules and if they break the rules, police are contacted immediately, said Taylor.

Coun. Michael Ryan said most of the questions he wanted answered were answered during the presentation and he’s hopeful the community at large will support the program.

“I find this a very exciting program and I certainly know a lot more about it now than I did before this meeting,” he said.

Coun. Sue McKortoff agreed.

“You have answered most of the concerns I cared about and you have nothing to hide and the whole approach is very transparent … there are a lot of things I learned today,” she said.

Mayor Stu Wells said the fact a standing committee of seasoned professionals, including a member of the public, will determine who is selected for residency, is very important as is the fact no sex offenders would be considered.

It’s up to the OIB and CSC to engage in public discussions and perhaps some advertising to answer public concerns and ensure this halfway house can be successful for the residents and community at large, said Wells.

Coun. Michael Plante suggested CSC bring a successfully rehabilitated former offender who has gone through a similar program to meet members of the public during an upcoming open house on Feb. 14 at the proposed site.

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Cayo: B.C. bands reap certification rewards

Posted on January 14, 2012 by admin

Designation for sound financial management enables lower-cost financing for first nations development projects
By Don Cayo, Vancouver Sun

While native leaders and federal bureaucrats will continue to fight about which of them is least incompetent to handle the mil-lions of dollars it takes to run the destitute reserve at Attawapiskat, Ont., three B.C. bands are poised to reap the rewards of

The Songhees band in Victoria, the Tzeachten band in Chilliwack and the Osoyoos band have distinguished them-selves as the first three reserves in Canada to win First Nations Financial Management Board certification. This is not merely a plaque on the wall – it’s a designation that will enable them to borrow money for infrastructure projects on the same basis as other municipalities.

This is a big deal for two reasons. First, governments can issue bonds, which effectively means borrowing at lower interest rates than other institutions.

“This gives us access to a greater source of capital at far better rates to build new infra-structure and attract more public and private sector development on our reserve,” said Osoyoos Indian Band Chief Clarence Louie in a news release announcing his band’s certification.

But even more important than the interest rate is the ability this will give the certified bands to compete with other jurisdictions that have long had much easier access to capital.

Research published when the federal First Nations Fiscal and Statistical Management Act was passed six years ago nails down the magnitude of the disadvantage reserves face in trying to attract development capital.

A typical first nations com-munity must commit three times as much revenue as a non-native municipality needs to finance the same amount of infrastructure, it found. More-over, once the infrastructure is in place, it typically attracts only about a third as much private investment.

I suspect that fast-on-their feet bands – and B.C. has several – have done better than this dismal average, especially in attracting private investment to go-getter reserves such as Osoyoos. But as other bands obtain certification, there’s a very real prospect of turning around this traditionally weak performance.

Christina Clarke, the property tax administrator for the Songhees, told me in an inter-view that, as part of the certification process, her band revamped its property tax sys-tem to bring it into line with the practices in surrounding municipalities. It already purchases some services from them.

What these two things mean, she said, is that businesses scouting for a site will find on Songhees land both a tax sys-tem and a level and quality of services that they are familiar and comfortable with.

Meanwhile, the band will have access to cheaper borrowing for its smaller infrastructure projects such as road repairs, as well as a big new multi-purpose building that will serve as an administrative, medical and social centre for the band.

Brian Titus, the chief operating officer of the Osoyoos band, said the new borrowing options will be particularly useful as the band moves beyond the first phase of its 10-year plan to develop its 45-hectare Senkulmen Business Park. The band has already invested $4.5 million in the site, which is intended to eventually provide a home for up to 40 business tenants and 1,000 new jobs.

Among other developments, the band is in contention to have a new provincial correctional centre for the Okanagan located on its lands.

dcayo@vancouversun.com

Blog: vancouversun.com/economy

http://www.vancouversun.com/business/bands+reap+certification+rewards/5927566/story.html

Read more: http://www.vancouversun.com/news/Cayo+bands+reap+certification+rewards/5927566/story.html#ixzz1jOKKG9IH

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Osoyoos Indian Band Recognized

Posted on January 14, 2012 by admin

Certified by First Nations Financial Management Board
By Fraser Rodgers, AM 1150 News Talk Sports

The Osoyoos Indian Band has been recognized for their financial management and fiscal performance. They’re one of three First Nations in Canada to be the first to receive certification from the First Nation Financial Management Board. The certification gives the Band a greater source of capital to build new infrastructure and attract more development on the reserve. Chief Clarence Louie says the certification will create more investment and employment in the short and medium-term future. He hopes the certification will help the Band be selected by the BC government as the location for a new correctional centre.

Fraser Rodgers – Penticton

http://www.am1150.ca/News/Local/Penticton/Story.aspx?ID=1628510

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Indian Band Raising Its Profile

Posted on January 14, 2012 by admin

The Osoyoos Indian Band is one of three First Nations in Canada to be the first to receive certification from the First Nation Financial Management Board.
Certification from the FMB provides a signal of the health of a First Nation’s financial management system and fiscal performance.
It is part of the regulatory regime established by the First Nation Fiscal and Statistical Management Act (FSMA) that enables First Nations to raise money through a bond issue in capital markets to finance community infrastructure and other capital projects.
“This gives us access to a greater source of capital at far better rates to build new infrastructure and attract more public and private sector development on our reserve,” said Osoyoos Indian Band Chief Clarence Louie. This will help bring more opportunities to the South Okanagan region to stimulate the local economy and create more jobs for people on and off the reserve.” The ability to structure deals under the FSMA puts First Nations on the same financial playing field as other levels of government when looking to finance infrastructure projects. Bond issues are administered through the First Nations Financing Authority.
Louie said the new financing options will benefit the Osoyoos Indian Band’s ongoing preparations to service a prime development site it hopes the B.C. government will select as the best location in the Okanagan to build a new correctional centre. It will also assist the Osoyoos Indian Band with continued upgrades to its 45-hectare Senkulmen Business Park, which opened in October.
The Band has invested more than $4.5 million so far in the development of Senkulmen Business Park, including $1.5 million for the construction of a new interchange on Highway 97 to provide convenient access to the site.
The project also received $5.4 million in partnership funding from the Government of Canada.
The business park is currently in the first phase of its 10-year development plan. It will eventually accommodate up to 40 business tenants and create upwards of 1,000 new manufacturing and supporting jobs in the region, based on an economic analysis prepared for the project.
In addition to the Senkulmen Business Park development, the Osoyoos Indian Band has two other major capital projects underway, including Phase 1 of Canyon Desert Resort, a 350-unit residential and vacation resort development in Oliver, and Phase 3, a 44 residential unit development at Spirit Ridge, located at the Band’s 4.5 star Nk’Mip Resort in Osoyoos.

http://www.kelownadailycourier.ca/local-news/indian-band-raising-its-profile.html

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