Politicians, scientists and many more gather this week in Osoyoos to discuss water: quality, quantity, fish, dams, storage, flows, mil-foil and many other subjects – and Chief Clarence Louie says Okanagan Indians want to be at the table.

Louie speaking at the opening of the 3 day conference organized by the Town of Osoyoos and the Okanagan Basin Water Board says in the past – white people and others with “degrees” have sat  together and made agreements – and then invited local natives in  hereditary garb to sing and dance. Tokenism he says. Time for a big change in attitude. Louie says the Osoyoos Indian Band is the largest land owner on the lake and needs to be represented when the International Joint Commission talks about water levels in Canada and the US.

Louie says natives can be invited or “we can knock the doors down”. Those days are gone says Louie when “we are ignored”.

He says elders remember when the lake was clean, there was no milfoil and salmon thrived in the river. Progress led by people with education has changed all that for the worse and it’s time to listen to the animals who need a clean environment.

He lauded recent native inspired work paid for by US power companies in restoring ox bows and helping the salmon get to OK Falls – a traditional area for fishing.