THE CHALLENGE
The Okanagan region has a lengthy history of water quality and quantity challenges, and faces water management issues driven by climate change, urbanization, agricultural demands, and forestry practices. These pressures have resulted in increasing droughts, degraded water quality, and overallocation of water resources. The region’s ecosystems, including Okanagan Lake and Similkameen River Watersheds, are under strain, jeopardizing their ability to support clean drinking water, fish and wildlife habitats, and flood and erosion control. The governance of water resources is particularly complex, with overlapping jurisdictions and competing priorities among federal, provincial, municipal, and Indigenous authorities.
THE HISTORY
Water governance in the Okanagan has long been marked by complexity and fragmentation, with federal, provincial, municipal, and Indigenous authorities often working independently or at cross-purposes. This governance landscape, coupled with cumulative impacts from agriculture, urbanization, forestry, and climate change, has made addressing water issues increasingly urgent. Historically, discussions around a unified water action plan have been plagued by mistrust and conflicting priorities, leading to limited progress in establishing collaborative frameworks.
The Okanagan Nation Alliance (ONA), representing eight Syilx communities, has emerged as a leader in bridging these gaps. Their siwɬkʷ Responsibility Action Plan integrates Traditional Ecological Knowledge into watershed planning, offering a culturally grounded approach to water governance. This methodology underpins the Syilx Water Strategy, a comprehensive framework released in 2021 after a decade of development.
Central to these efforts is the Okanagan and Similkameen Watersheds Responsibility Planning Initiative, which aims to create community-based watershed management plans. The initiative addresses critical impacts on the Okanagan and Similkameen watershed’s ecosystems while ensuring clean drinking water and climate resilience. Despite regional support for the Okanagan and Similkameen Watersheds Responsibility Planning Initiative, historical mistrust between municipal and Indigenous leaders has proven to be a consistent challenge, and the need for coordinated political support had stalled the process, underscoring the need for sustained dialogue, relationship building, and political direction on transboundary water issues.
THE LEADERS
The Okanagan Similkameen Collaborative Leadership Table is made up of 30 Chiefs, Mayors, Chairs, and Councillors – representing Syilx communities, municipalities, and regional districts from the Okanagan and Similkameen Watersheds including kɬúsx̌nítkʷ, Okanagan Lake and nməlqaytkw Similkameen River.
NORTHERN OKANAGAN
Sylix Leaders
Okanagan Indian Band:
- Chief: Dan Wilson
- Councillor: Tim Isaac
Municipal Leaders
City of Vernon:
- Mayor: Victor Cumming
- Councillor: Brian Guy
City of Armstrong:
- Mayor: Joe Cramer
- Councillor: Shirley Fowler
Regional District of North Okanagan:
- Electoral Director Amanda Shatzko
CENTRAL OKANAGAN
Sylix Leaders
Westbank First Nation:
- Chief: Robert Louie
- Councillor: Jordan Coble
Municipal Leaders
District of Lake Country:
- Mayor: Blair Ireland
- Councillor: Tricia Brett
District of Peachland:
- Mayor: Patrick Van Minsel
- Councillor Keith Thom
SOUTHERN OKANAGAN
Sylix Leaders
Penticton Indian Band:
- Chief: Greg Gabriel
- Councillor: Tim Lezard
Upper Similkameen Indian Band:
- Chief: Bonnie Jacobsen
- Councillor: Mike Allison
- Councillor: Charles Allison
Lower Similkameen Indian Band:
- Chief: Keith Crow
- Councillor: Janet Terbasket
Osoyoos Indian Band:
- Chief: Clarence Louie
- Councillor: Sammy Louie
Municipal Leaders
District of Summerland:
- Mayor: Doug Holmes
City of Penticton:
- Mayor: Julius Bloomfield
Town of Oliver:
- Mayor: Martin Johansen
- Councilor: Petra Veintimilla
Town of Osoyoos:
- Mayor: Sue McKortoff
Town of Princeton:
- Mayor: Spencer Coyne
Village of Keremeos:
- Mayor: Jason Wiebe
Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen:
- Chair: Mark Pendergraft
Leaders took part in interviews where they shared personal reflections and spoke about the key issues, priorities, opportunities, and challenges facing their communities and region. Building trust and getting to know one another take time and commitment – these stories of leadership marked the first step.
THE CLI ROLE
The Collaborative Leadership Initiative (CLI) and the Okanagan Nation Alliance (ONA) have jointly facilitated the Sylix-led Leadership table at this site. By working closely with the ONA team, the CLI Team has supported capacity building, strengthened the skills of convenors, supported progress on the Okanagan and Similkameen Watersheds Responsibility Planning Initiative, and promoted acceptance of siwɬkʷ Responsibility Action Plan for the Okanagan and Similkameen Watersheds.
The CLI Team’s efforts have aimed to address the region’s “governance gap” by facilitating collaboration among decision-makers from two regional districts and ten municipalities, alongside Indigenous leaders from six Syilx communities, to jointly implement the Okanagan and Similkameen Watersheds Responsibility Planning Initiative. This work has included engaging with stakeholders such as the Environmental Law Centre at the University of Victoria, and the Okanagan Collaborative Conservation Program.
THE MEETINGS
See summaries of the integral meetings that took place at the governance table between the leaders from December 13, 2023 to November 15, 2024.
THE OUTCOME
CLI Okanagan has reached Phase 4: Moving from Ideas to Action of the CLI process, moving ideas into action. The process in this CLI site has successfully fostered a working relationship between 30 elected leaders from Syilx communities, municipalities, and regional districts, building a level of trust that facilitates shared decision making and collaborative action. This collaboration has shifted conversations from conflict to curiosity and cooperation, particularly regarding shared water objectives. On November 15, 2024, a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) was signed, formalizing their commitment to work together on matters of common concern to protect and restore siwɬkʷ in the Okanagan and Similkameen Watersheds, now and for future generations.
By creating the Okanagan Similkameen Collaborative Leadership Table and committing to working closely together on matters of shared concern, Leaders have demonstrated that the strength of community and the power of true leadership can prevail over the challenge faced as a region.
