A recent event took place with representatives of the Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen, Osoyoos Indian Band, Lower Similkameen Indian Band and the Penticton Indian Band. The intent of this two day event, known as an Enowkinwixw was to bring together First Nations and Local Government leaders in the South Okanagan to discuss common goals and opportunities, as well as to continue to build and strengthen relationships between communities.

The Enowkinwixw provided a time and place for dialogue on how to best move forward with the South Okanagan Similkameen Protocol Agreement which was signed by the parties in June 2013.  The event also provided an opportunity to improve upon the relationships and strengthen the partnerships of all of the communities within the region.

The Enowkinwixw is a traditional, ceremonial and harmony building process.  The methodology draws inspiration from the Four Food Chiefs story and the multiple layers of meaning and teaching embodied in the creation story of the Okanagan People.  The process works to embrace multiple community perspectives of reality and to draw on collective knowledge which is held across the communities.

It was identified that the intent of the Protocol Agreement is to provide a frame work to formalize government to government relationships, to recognize and celebrate diversity while cooperating with each other to achieve mutual prosperity, to improve consultation, communication, information sharing, education and cooperation between the parties, and to work towards collaborative decision making or negotiations in appropriate areas of common interest.

Some of the outcomes of the two day process were a commitment to continue with the South Okanagan Similkameen Steering Committee (working group) which was created after the Protocol Agreement was signed. The Steering Committee consists of Administrators and Senior Staff representatives who meet bi-monthly to discuss matters of mutual interest to the communities, and report their work to the Joint Council, which includes the Chiefs of the three bands, as well as the Chair and Vice Chair and one other designated Board member of the Regional District.

The parties identified a need for improved communication, not only between themselves, but to all constituents and communities in the South Okanagan Similkameen.  The parties also discussed the potential for a one year anniversary celebration of the South Okanagan Similkameen Protocol Agreement signing to be held on or around June 21 which is National Aboriginal Day.

The Community to Community Enowkinwixw was funded through a Union of British Columbia Municipalities grant.