I sat with MLA Linda Larson on Friday just after the final event of three in which the provincial government and OIB Chief Clarence Louie participated. These events to rename parks and icons in the South Okanagan.

Larson and I talked candidly. What about a future election? What are the plans of the BC government on the National Park issue? etc.

Here is what I gather.

The BC government does not want the National Park as an issue in future federal and provincial elections but time is not a friend to this.

The BC government (Environment Minister Mary Polak) seeks to find partners like OIB, Okanagan Nation Alliance and others in defining what is claimed and desired and what can easily be managed by agreements.

Larson: “A small National Park is possible”.  The province could support such a National Park if it was part of a carefully planned area – but not a blanket proposal that takes in so much land controlled by the province, the Nature’s Trust, the Land Conservancy etc.

The minister is planning such a meeting to bring all the players to the table – to explain the provincial toolkit and what it desires.

This event should occur before September. All talks with aboriginal leaders and some form of understanding should be place in June says Larson.