News from First Nations

PART 1 of 2

by Carolyn Parks Mintz, Author & Journalist

Adams Lake Award Recipient

Sheri Lysons, former Fire Chief with the Adams Lake First Nation fire department, is one of three members of the Preparing Our Home organization sharing the 2022 Women, Peace & Security Civil Society Leadership Award. Sheri promotes and advances reconciliation in action through building community safety capacity across ages, genders, and race. Preparing Our Home is a community-based resilience programme that strengthens disaster response capabilities in Indigenous communities through emergency preparedness training.

Neskonlith Leader Honoured

Former Neskonlith Chief, the late George Manual, was chosen as one of three people this year to be recognized and honoured with a Canadian postage stamp unveiled recently in Vancouver and Chase. Canada Post’s multi-year Indigenous Leaders series was launched in 2022 to celebrate prominent First Nations people on National Indigenous Peoples Day, June 21st. In addition to serving as Chief, George Manual was president of the North American Indian Brotherhood, president of the National Indian Brotherhood (now the Assembly of First Nations), president of the Union of British Columbia Indian Chiefs, founder of the World Council of Indigenous Peoples with United Nations Observer Status, and an Order of Canada recipient in 1986. He was a vocal opponent of the 1969 White Paper, a federal policy that proposed abolishing the Indian Act, which was widely seen as furthering the goal of assimilation of Indigenous peoples—and he fought for First Nations’ inclusion in the Canadian constitution. Daughter Doreen sums up his leadership as someone who really cared about everyone—a humble and charismatic trailblazer.

Water Shuttle Procedures

Adams Lake Fire Department, Skwlāx

Te Secwépemculecw Fire Department and Chase Fire Rescue conducted a four-hour water shuttle operation in late May. The information gathered from this training will be invaluable in prefire planning and response operations in future.

Federal Investment In Active Transportion Projects For Indigenous Communities

On May 16th, the Pacific Economic Development Agency of Canada announced a federal investment of $198,946 in support of four active transportation planning projects for Indigenous communities in British Columbia. In the Village of Chase and the City of Salmon Arm, the funding will enable the completion of three projects to advance the West Bay Connector Trail plan, which will involve archeological and environmental assessments, a site survey, terrain mapping, engineering design, and other design elements—a joint project with the Adams Lake, Neskonlith and Skwlāx Te Secwépemculecw First Nations.

North American Indigenous Games

Congratulations to Erika Lans and Kluce of the Adams Lake Band, who will compete in the NA Indigenous Games in Halifax, Nova Scotia, from July 15th to 23rd.

Shuswap Better at Home

A little extra help for seniors and elders to remain confidently in their own home

• Friendly Visit Calls

• Light Housekeeping

• Resource and Referrals

Services are subject to availability

Staff, Volunteers and Contractors have been carefully vetted & trained for your security.

Central Intake 250-253-2749 www.ChaseSunflower.ca

Permissive Tax Exemptions For 2024

Application Deadline

JULY 31, 2023

Municipalities in British Columbia may exempt certain properties from property taxes by passing a bylaw in accordance with Part 7-Division 7-Permissive Exemptions of the Community Charter.

A permissive tax exemption is a means for Council to support organizations within the community which further Council’s objectives of enhancing quality of life (economic, social, cultural) and delivering services economically.

There is no obligation for Council to grant a permissive tax exemption.

Applications as well as full details of the eligibility requirements and application procedures can be found at www.chasebc.ca or are available at the municipal office, 826 Okanagan Avenue, Chase, during regular working hours of 9:00 am to 4:00 pm Monday to Friday, except statutory holidays.

Financial Administration Department