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Ec Dev X-press is a quarterly WFN business e-newsletter. 
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WFN Donates Statue to Big White

As part of WFN's Public Art Program, a 10-foot tall statue was unveiled on Big White Mountain, December 5. Created by First Nation Artist Smoker Marchand, the statue, named "For the People", is based on the WFN logo, featuring kiʔlawnaʔ (grizzly bear), sənk̓lip (coyote) and nx̌aʔx̌ʔxitkʷ (Ogopogo). The base of the statue was created in a circle/medicine wheel representing the circle of life.

 “We recognize Big White is built upon the traditional territory of the Okanagan Sylix people” says Peter Plimmer, President, Big White Ski Resort Ltd. “This statue will stand as a symbol of that, as well as our continued relationship with Westbank First Nation, for years to come.”

 “WFN shares a great relationship with Big White; we appreciate the opportunities and benefits the resort offers our communities, and are happy to provide the art sculpture for everyone to enjoy,” says WFN Chief Robert Louie. “We wanted a symbol in place to acknowledge the positive relationship WFN shares with Big White. We have seen a number of excellent skiers, snowboarders and community members engage in winter sports because of Big White. The resort has supported us as an organization as well as individual community members, over the years, and the gift of the sculpture is our way of saying limləmt, thank you.”

 WFN and Big White Ski Resort Ltd. invite the public to visit the new sculpture located next to the new Black Forest Day Lodge.
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WFN Night at the Warriors


Friday, January 15, WFN held its 4th Annual Night at the Warriors. The night started off with a prayer by WFN Elder Grouse Barnes, followed by the puck drop by WFN Chief Robert Louie. Throughout the night there were a number of door prizes, a shoot out, and a performance by WFN traditional dancers. Photos courtesy of Greystoke Photography.
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WFN Youth Centre Update


Construction on the new WFN Youth Centre is now well underway and is projected for completion in November 2016. The sport court will be built the year after the centre is complete, with a projected opening in July 2017.

The centre will be about 14,000 square feet on two floors and will feature a learning garden, an outdoor classroom, and progressive design elements including a passive ventilation system and an external green screen that will grow in the summer to block the sun.

The Youth Centre will fulfill one of WFN's strategic priorities to engage and empower youth by supporting them through the provision of high-quality facilities, services, and programs.

Check out our live image stream (here) to see how construction is progressing.

2016 Apple Triathalon Passing Through WFN Lands


The Apple Triathlon has been a yearly event for the past 35 years.  This year, in order to have a more scenic route for the bicycle portion of the race, the organizer of the race coordinated with WFN on a route that crosses the bridge and travels through IR #10 and Westside Road.  

The race is set to take place on Sunday, August 21, 2016. We are pleased to welcome athletes to our lands and wish them the best of luck in their competitions. 
 

WFN EDC Reappointment


The WFN EDC is pleased to announce that Nelson Derickson has recently been reappointed to the commission after his term expired on January 27th. Nelson has been a commissioner on the WFN EDC for the past 3 years and has been Chair of the EDC for the past 2 years. 

New YLW Airline Postpones Plans


NewLeaf Travel Company, the new Canadian discount airline that launched Jan. 6, has had to postpone its plans to begin operations in February and will refund any reservations while its licensing is reviewed.

NewLeaf had a charter arrangement with Kelowna, B.C.-based Flair Airlines Ltd., with Flair holding the CTA operating licence, while NewLeaf sold the seats.

The transportation agency is reviewing whether persons who do not operate any aircraft, but market and sell air services to the public, should be required to hold a licence directly.

The airline aims to resume taking reservations in the spring, and will refund all credit card charges so customers can make alternative travel arrangements.NewLeaf was seeing huge demand and had thousands of bookings, offering flights to Abbotsford, Halifax,  Hamilton, Regina, Saskatoon Winnipeg, and Kelowna starting Feb. 12. NewLeaf would be the only airline offering non-stops to those cities from Kelowna. 

Direct Flights to Fort McMurray Suspended; Increased Service to Victoria


The economic downturn in the Alberta oil industry has prompted WestJet to cancel their service from Kelowna to Fort McMurray, starting Feb. 15

“We’re hopeful that this service will be reinstated once the economy shifts and demand for the service returns,” said Sam Samaddar, Airport Director. “Kelowna passengers will continue to be able to fly to Fort McMurray via connections in Calgary, Edmonton or Vancouver.”

WestJet is adding increased service to Victoria, also starting Feb. 15, twice a day, seven days a week.

Retail Directory


The Fall 2015 WFN Retail Directory features new listings, including Benjamin Moore Paint, Dollarama, Owl's Nest, and The Ten Spot.

Updates to the Retail Directory will be taking place this summer. For additions or changes, please reply to this email.
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WFN Directory


Main Reception
250 769 4999

Economic Development & Communications
250 769 4999

Employment Coordinator
250 768 8281

Health & Wellness
250 768 0227

Recreation
250 768 7337

Utilities & Public Works
250 707 3332

Law Enforcement
Richard J.   250 717 6147
Dan H.        250 863 8247
Wayne M.   250 317 4596

Museum
778 755 2787
Full Directory

WFN Economic Development Commission (EDC)


NELSON DERICKSON is Chairperson for WFN’s EDC.  He is a WFN Member, recent Okanagan College business degree graduate and an employee of WFN’s corporate group, Ntityix Development Corporation.

JAMES COBLE is Co-Chair of the WFN EDC, a WFN Member and  Director of Student Services for Okanagan College.  

VERN NIELSEN is CEO of Dockside Marine Center located at Shelter Bay on WFN lands. He is also a District Governor Nominee for Rotary District 5060, a Director of the Okanagan College Foundation and East Meets West Orphanage Foundation.

STEPHANIE CLOUGH is a WFN Member and employee of the WFN Finance Department.  She wishes to help achieve continued prosperity for the community through her work on the EDC.

ANDREA EAST is a lawyer at Pushor Mitchell LLP and frequently helps First Nations and the organizations that do business with them to navigate the regulatory systems governing their economic and  real estate development projects.

DEANNA HAMILTON is WFN’s EDC Elder. She’s a former President/CEO of First Nations Finance Authority, President of the First Nation Tax Administrators Association, Director of the All Nations Trust Company, Director of the B.C. Assessment Authority, and also a former WFN Councillor. Deanna is a 2014 recipient of a BC Community Achievement Award and Xerox-AFOA National Excellence in Leadership Award. 

ANDREA LAVIGNE is WFN’s EDC Youth.  She is a WFN Member, recent UBCO Indigenous Studies graduate and has worked in WFN’s Intergovernmental Affairs including time at the negotiating table for WFN title and rights.

WFN EDC Mission 
Assist & facilitate Chief & Council, and the WFN business community, to create a healthy, environmentally sustainable & dynamic economy based on values of self-reliance. 

Westbank First Nation

301-515 Hwy 97 South
Kelowna, B.C. V1Z 3J2
T 250 769 4999
F 250 769 4733
www.wfn.ca 
Copyright © 2016 Westbank First Nation, All rights reserved.


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