“White Sand Beach” signage needed.
A recent incident on the Osoyoos Indian Band's white sands beach illustrates the need for understanding of land rights and usage.
Earlier this month, several non-Native beach users were confronted by a few Native youths and were told to get off our beach and this is Native land.
Then, according to witnesses, the young men drove away in a vehicle, returned and drove down the beach to the water, attempting to ram a boat.
Two of the beach users called the Osoyoos Times to report the incident and to ask for clarification on public use of the beach.
Osoyoos Indian Band Chief Clarence Louie said that, although the actions of the young band members were unfortunate, trespassing has been an ongoing problem for many years.
Over the years, there have been 'No Trespassing' and 'Private Property' signs put up on the OIB lands on the east side of the lake, just like many non-Native people have done, Louie said.
But there are boaters and others who trespass on OIB land who just tear down our signs or ignore them.
In past years we have put articles in the Osoyoos Times about the fact that the east side of the lake around 'white sands' is private property. And we have also talked to the RCMP about patrolling this area and charging people with trespass. They have said that the police boat cannot keep up with the trespassing on the reserve.rnLouie said he regrets the way some of the band members treated the trespassers.
We had a talk with the youth involved about the proper way of asking people to leave.
The Band Council (nor even non-Native Councils or elected leaders) cannot control what individual band members do. Some of our members get really upset when they find trespassers on the reserve, while others may overlook the fact or even give permission, just like any other group of landowners.
White sands is private property and I know for a fact most private landowners would be upset, too, if strangers were walking all over their property.rnLouie said the band will once again be putting up 'private property' signs and added that there are certain areas on the reserve side that are under water, so there are areas where OIB land does go out into the lake.
When we settled with the federal government on the flooding of OIB land back in the late 1980s, we retained the ownership of those flooded areas. It may be that some of the flooded areas may include the white sands area and our lawyer is checking into this.
The issue of boaters coming over to the OIB lands on the east side of the lake is a long ongoing problem. OIB lands are private property and boaters should not be getting out of their boats and setting up camp or picnicking on the land, Louie said.
