Chief swkncut

On National Indigenous People’s Day this past June 21^st, WFN Chief and Council unveiled a bronzed life-size statue of Chief Charlie swkncut outside the Kelowna Visitors Centre downtown. “swkncut was a hereditary Chief and my great-great-grandfather on my father’s side,” said WFN Chief Roxanne Lindley. swkncut was the syilx Okanagan chief of the village in the Mission Creek area where Pandosy settled and set up his mission (near the modern-day intersection of Benvoulin and Casorso roads). Their friendship was important because both advocated peace between syilx and white settlers. WFN donated the sculpture to the City of Kelowna (CoK), and CoK official representatives participated in the unveiling. 

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The interior salish First Nation people of the Okanagan, Shuswap and Thompson-Nicola are joining together to host the 8^th annual International Indigenous Tourism Conference, Nov 13-14, at the Delta Grand in Kelowna. The conference will include celebrity emcees and keynotes, an unforgettable grand entry, the popular ‘Taste of Nations’ culinary event, and unprecedented collaboration. 750 delegates are expected and the theme of the conference is “Inspire. Transform. Unite. Accelerating Indigenous tourism growth.” Tickets are $849 until the end of August, or $949 starting September. Excellent vendor opportunities exist as well. 

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WFN Active Transportation Survey

How Walkable is Westbank? WFN is looking for feedback on its Active Transportation Plan and its active transportation corridors. Call WFN's Planning & Development at 250 769 4999 to provide your feedback or attend the Westbank Superstore (3020 Louie Dr), Wednesday, August 28, 4:00 - 6:00pm be entered to win an e-scooter!  

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Sənsisyustən $9M upgrades complete, seeking new Principal

This September, WFN will be unveiling its newly renovated and expanded jr kindergarten to grade six sənsisyustən House of Learning school. With INAC funding received last year, WFN began moving forward with enhancements to the school for a total project cost of $9M. On time and on budget, WFN is set to open the school to enrolled students on September 3^rd. With modern environmental features and technology including rooftop solar and outdoor learning spaces, language and other cultural offerings, a tehcnical hub, sənsisyustən is currently accepting applications for enrollment, as well as seeking a new full time Principal. Everyone is welcome!

A public grand opening is scheduled for the afternoon of September 26.

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West Manufacturing

WFN had the honour of co-hosting Business After Hours last month in partnership with the Greater Westside Board of Trade and West Manufacturing at West Manufacturing's site off Marmot Lane, along with Houston Pizza who supplied the appetizers. This was a well-attended and engaging event! WFN very much appreciates its relationships with business and the Board of Trade. limləmt (thank-you) to all who attended.
 
West Manufacturing is well known for their fabricated structural steel including their popular bright yellow Enviroslip tanks for oil/gas, forestry and mining projects worldwide, as well as steel for local projects such as the safety railing of WFN’s new Westbank Child Development Centre. To learn more, contact West Manufacturing’s GM, Dave Strak, or their Sales Rep, Domenic Rampone.

WFN Hosted its 8th Annual Charity Golf Tournament, July 5

limləmt (thank-you) to all those who participated and volunteered at Two Eagles Golf Course, Jul 5^th, for WFN’s 8th Annual Charity Golf Tournament. Special guests in attendance included retired NHL’ers Jordin Tootoo and Byron Dafoe. Proceeds of the past seven tournaments total $230,000, all of which has gone towards WFN youth and recreation programming, while assisting more youth to participate in organized sports and cultural activities.

Business Walk, Oct 2

Freeport Industries