In an unprecedented move, Ottawa is providing the Okanagan Indian Band with an advanced payment in anticipation of a specific claims settlement.
For the past 11 years, the Band has been in negotiations with Canada to resolve the Colonial Reserve IR1 Specific Claim.
According to the claim, the lands in question, located next to Okanagan IR1, were allocated to the Band in 1861, but were reduced in 1865.
Ottawa has now agreed to provide the Band with a $30 million advance payment to be applied against the anticipated settlement of that claim.
With the funding, the Band will be able to purchase the O’Keefe Range Lands, which are located within the claim area.
That will help them expand and advance their vision of self-determination, despite the claim still being negotiated.
