Tag Archives: Kelowna

Health, Politics

Will BC Towns’ Bylaws Undermine Drug Decriminalization Pilot?

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The Tyee, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

B.C.’s three-year pilot drug decriminalization program is aimed at reducing the barriers and stigma that prevent people from accessing life-saving supports and services. 

But since the possession of  small amounts of drugs was decriminalized on Jan. 31, some  municipalities have looked at bans on public drug use that advocates  warn undermine the provincial effort.

In Campbell River, the city decided to  implement its own bylaws three days before decriminalization took  effect, banning and ticketing public use of controlled substances. 

Continue reading Will BC Towns’ Bylaws Undermine Drug Decriminalization Pilot? →
Justice

15 First Nations Justice Council centres to open throughout British Columbia

By Alexandra Mehl, Ha-Shilth-Sa, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Since the signing of the BC First Nation Justice Strategy in 2020, a carefully outlined plan with 43 actions to reform the system and restore Indigenous legal traditions, one of the priorities outlined is the implementation of 15 First Nation justice centres throughout the province.

The first four centres in Prince Rupert, Prince George, Merrit, and virtually marked their opening in January 2022.

In late 2022 the BCFNJC announced that the next centres to be opened will be in Nanaimo, Victoria, Vancouver, Surrey, and Kelowna in 2023. 

Continue reading 15 First Nations Justice Council centres to open throughout British Columbia →
Education, Indigenous Nations

First of 12 nsyilxcən language signs at BGC locations unveiled in kiʔláwnaʔ

By Aaron Hemens, The Discourse, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

The first of 12 educational signs promoting the nsyilxcən language has been unveiled at a BGC Okanagan location in kiʔláwnaʔ (Kelowna) — part of an initiative being spearheaded by the Syilx Language House.

Sʔímlaʔxʷ Michele Johnson, the executive director of the Syilx Language House, said she reached out to BGC Okanagan more than a year ago to ask if they were interested in nsyilxcən signs outside of their 12 main locations. 

Johnson also organized a beginners nsyilxcen language course for early childhood educators who are working with BGC.

Continue reading First of 12 nsyilxcən language signs at BGC locations unveiled in kiʔláwnaʔ →
Indigenous Nations, Rivers & Oceans, Waste

‘Action is better than words’: syilx Elder calls for better protection of water and land

By Aaron Hemens, The Discourse, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Following a water ceremony at the shore of kɬúsx̌nítkʷ (Okanagan Lake), a syilx Elder and knowledge keeper calls for more action to be taken when it comes to addressing pollution and illegal dumpings across the region.

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Disaster, Indigenous Nations

Penticton Indian Band is using syilx traditional methods to reduce wildfire risk

By Athena Bonneau, The Discourse, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

The Penticton Indian Band (PIB) is working with BC Wildfire Serviceon a new wildfire risk reduction project using traditional syilx methods.

“All of the PIB [wildfire risk reduction] projects are informed by Elders and knowledge keepers,” says James Pepper, director of PIB’s natural resource department. “They write the prescriptions, then we implement them.”

Continue reading Penticton Indian Band is using syilx traditional methods to reduce wildfire risk →