The Town of Oliver will move quickly to reach agreement with the Osoyoos Indian Band on a local inter-government protocol.

Council members recently attended a Community to Community Forum in Osoyoos – meeting with all regional, municipal and native leaders to address how governments interact when they are neighbours.

Such a protocol for the Regional District got sidetracked in 2008 when lawyers became involved in questioning the wording of one such protocol draft.

This was very upsetting to the aboriginal/native community. The recent forum was designed to get back into the discussion and make agreements that will stand the test of time.

The Town of Oliver Council has advised its RDOS Municipal Director (Mayor Ron Hovanes) to proceed at the first opportunity to move the process forward at the Penticton regional board. That protocol is with three or more bands and the entire Regional District Okanagan Similkameen.

Council has also asked the Mayor to communicate immediately with Chief Clarence Louie on how to start the process of making a local agreement (Town/OIB) that builds upon the long standing relationships in Oliver.