Economic Strength is the aim
I always tell people, 'I'm a worker, I'm not a politician.' There's a big difference between being a politician and being a worker, said Osoyoos Indian Band (O.I.B.) Chief Clarence Louie at the Destination Osoyoos annual general meeting last Wednesday.
Louie, however, spoke both politically and as a man working on achieving economic strength for the O.I.B.
Louie outlined the focus and direction of the O.I.B. for the coming year and stressed that most of the band's time and energy is spent working on economic development. He also went on to explain why the O.I.B. is an important part of the economy for the entire South Okanagan region.
While there are those who love to fight the political fight, I love fighting the economic fight. The two things I love are creating jobs and making money, Louie said at the meeting.
With 350,000 visitors to the area each year, the O.I.B. is focused on tourism, with their RV Resort, winery and golf course all in place and a new heritage centre set to open later in the year. The band also plans to push for a casino license, which will complete their resort development.
There are not many examples in Canada or the States of a business relationship between a First Nation and a town. I want to thank Destination Osoyoos and the Osoyoos Town Council for being willing to sit down with us as equals, Louie said.
Although pleased with the great working relationship established between the band and the town, Louie clearly stated he is not one for the melting pot myth.
The federal and provincial governments have been trying to do that to First Nations ever since the colonial reservation system was put in place.
The O.I.B. is going in a direction where we become part of the economy of the South Okanagan. We're not going to 'melt' into the regional district or any town boundaries.
Louie went on to commend the Osoyoos Town Council for, many years ago, supporting the Addition to Reserve applications.
Reserves across Canada are seeking justice, and with part of the land claim settlement dollars, many are buying land in their traditional territories, which they can add to their reserves.
We're going to be buying additional properties within the South Okanagan and we hope we don't run into political roadblocks.
If people really took the time and effort to study what happened to First Nations people in this valley, no one with a conscience or a sense of justice would ever vote down an Addition to Reserve application to a First Nation.rnAs to the partnership between the band and the town, Louie said the O.I.B. is proud to be actively involved in the new Nk'Mip/Osoyoos Visitor Gateway Centre.
We told the province, either we'll put a land claim on it, or get us involved in that project, Louie joked.
In closing, Louie continued in his ironic humour to point out a unique twist in Native history.
No one could have imagined that Indian people would be bringing alcohol to white people, and we're very proud of the fact that we opened up the first winery in the Osoyoos area.rnAnd earlier that day, Louie revealed, he had attended a high level meeting with FortisBC to discuss a power and electricity issue within the Osoyoos area.
Again, nobody would have imagined it, but Indians might be bringing power to all the white people.
I firmly believe that our success is your success. The jobs we create and the money we make stays in the South Okanagan.
It makes absolutely no sense to keep First Nations people poor. I think that O.I.B. and the Town of Osoyoos can be the national example to show that it makes far better sense to have wealth on both sides.
