One of the ELO Peer Advisory Groups did a site visit with Chief Clarence Louie, Osoyoos Indian Band (OIB), last Friday, July 28th. We did an extensive tour of the Okanagan Indian Band reservation (“The Rez,” as Chief Louie refers to it) and its business operations.
The PAG consisted of members from throughout BC representing various industries, such as engineering/consulting, high tech, and construction. Interestingly, a number of the PAG attendees have been, or are presently doing, business with First Nations groups throughout BC.
The PAG Network does an annual “road trip” with each group to create a unique learning experience. This year’s experience was a full day of activities, highlighted by a two-hour session with Chief Clarence Louie, one of the highest-profile First Nations leaders in Canada.
The objective of the site visit was to learn about the OIB specifically but, more generally, to gain a greater understanding of the perspective of First Nations peoples in Canada.
So how did it go? Dale Lutz, Co-Founder, Safe Software, Surrey, BC, summarized the consensus view: “This was an excellent event, from top to bottom. I enjoyed every minute of it. So much to reflect on afterward. Extremely enlightening, yet with each learning came two more questions. Really glad to have been part of it.”
The visit highlighted the fact that I, along with likely many Canadians, have minimal interaction or familiarity with First Nations peoples. Here’s an opportunity for a quick five-question self-assessment:
- How many First Nations peoples have you ever met and spoken with?
- Have you ever visited a reserve?
- Do you have an idea as to how many bands there are in BC and Canada?
- Do you understand their concept of land ownership?
- Do you know how a band member is defined?
PAG Members stayed at the Spirit Ridge Lake Resort which is a Hyatt-managed hotel/resort on land leased from the OIB. The food and service is excellent, along with spectacular views of the Okanogan Valley.
We had a wide-ranging Q & A session with Chief Louie. He has been Chief of the OIB for about 40 years. He has presented his views in his recent book, titled Rez Rules. Yet, it is always interesting to meet someone in person.
Chief Louie is quite engaging and clearly very entrepreneurial. He would say it's common sense to be business minded. As he says in his book, the “economic horse” pulls the “social cart.” If there is no economic activity his people will suffer. Chief Louie is clearly keen on discussing economic opportunities.
During our session, Chief Louie exhibited two traits clearly. First, he was always talking about “we” and the community, what’s best for his people, creating jobs, and pursuing opportunities. He didn’t talk about “me” and his various personal accolades. Second, he was always thinking long-term, reinvesting in what is best for his people, and building infrastructure. He was pleased to talk about the school, administrative office, and healthcare facility on The Rez.
We then went on a tour of the OIB reservation, which is 32,000 acres. We saw various OIB initiatives. There is the District Wine Village, which highlights over a dozen smaller wineries that don’t have the resources to build their own tasting room. We visited Area 27, a private racetrack, that has a waiting list for new memberships.
We went to the Nk'Mip Desert Cultural Centre, which is on the same property as Spirit Ridge Lake Resort. This gave a good insight into the traditional lifestyle of First Nations peoples in the Okanagan. We did a wine tasting at Nk'Mip Cellars, the first Indigenous-owned winery in North America. We visited Nk'Mip Campground & RV Park which offers family-oriented camping with almost 400 sites (including 120 on lakefront) that range from tenting to RVs.
In short, as the Peer Advisory Group members commented afterward, the visit provided a lot to think about. The starting point is always to first listen and understand the others’ perspectives. That’s the doorway to further understanding.
To read our two-part blog post interview with Chief Louie:
Clarence Louie, Chief, Osoyoos Indian Band: Life & Entrepreneurial Lessons (Part I)
Clarence Louie, Chief, Osoyoos Indian Band: Life & Entrepreneurial Lessons (Part II)