OSOYOOS –  

Summary

• The Province and Osoyoos Indian Band are beginning negotiations toward a reconciliation agreement to support economic opportunities, sustainable land management and thriving communities in the South Okanagan, as well as to address additional land priorities
• The public is invited to visit the website to learn more and to sign up for updates on engagement opportunities taking place over the coming months: https://engage.gov.bc.ca/osoyoos-agreement
• The Province will engage broadly with residents, local governments, tenure and license holders, and others, considering a range of interests throughout the process
• No decisions will be made before engagement is complete and feedback is considered

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The B.C. government is announcing the start of negotiations for a reconciliation agreement with the Osoyoos Indian Band, as well as the beginning of public engagement.

An agreement will prioritize supporting economic benefits for people in the region, while ensuring environmental stewardship and conservation. This process will include engagement with the public to help inform potential land-related considerations before any decisions are made.

The agreement is an opportunity to champion values shared throughout the region, including:

• protection of important ecological and cultural sites and wildlife
• enjoyment of nature, including access to recreational opportunities
• improved highway access in the South Okanagan, helping to address highway authorizations
• economic development partnerships that will bring benefits to communities throughout the Okanagan
• working together in partnership as neighbours

The agreement is also an opportunity to address the Osoyoos Indian Band’s priorities for the return of some Crown lands, which include lands within their historic reserve along with key cultural and spiritual sites. Any proposed land parcels will only be selected from Crown lands. No decisions regarding Crown lands have been made.

As is standard with all reconciliation agreements the Province negotiates, private property rights are protected throughout this process. No private land is being considered, unless in a willing seller and willing buyer scenario.

Negotiated agreements help clarify land use, jurisdiction and decision-making responsibilities. This helps create more predictable conditions long-term for land use and investment in the region.

Since the early 2010s, dozens of reconciliation agreements have been signed with First Nations throughout B.C., supporting shared understanding of land use, economic opportunities and stewardship.

Engagement opportunities

Throughout the summer and early fall 2026, the B.C. government will engage with a range of groups, including local governments, tenure and licence holders, provincial agencies, the public and others to ensure everyone has the opportunity to understand a potential agreement, the work ahead and to provide feedback. Consistent with legal obligations, the Province will notify and consult with First Nations with overlapping interests.

Understanding access to and use of lands and waterways by the public and tenure holders is an important part of the engagement process. The agreement will seek to support public access and use of frequently used Crown lands and recreational opportunities while balancing cultural interests.

This is complex, cross-government work involving multiple provincial ministries, land uses and interests. No decisions will be made before engagement is complete and feedback has been considered. 

Engagement opportunities include:

• an engagement web page
• a web page feedback form and opportunity to sign up for updates
• letters and emails to key interest holders and groups
• meetings with key interest holders and groups
• an online survey (to be decided, approximate timing: August 2026)
• an open house (to be decided, approximate timing: September 2026)

The Province’s dedicated web page will be continually updated as information becomes available and those interested are encouraged to register for updates online: https://engage.gov.bc.ca/osoyoos-agreement.

B.C. will also continue to notify local residents and interested parties of progress by posting regular information bulletins over the coming months.

Learn More:

• For more information about the engagement, visit: https://engage.gov.bc.ca/osoyoos-agreement
• To learn more about Osoyoos Indian Band, visit: https://oib.ca

A backgrounder follows.

The Osoyoos Indian Band, led by Chief Clarence Louie, has a proven track record of land stewardship and economic success in the South Okanagan region, as well as a strong partnership with the Province, including:  

• The Osoyoos Indian Band is an economic leader in the region and one of its major employers. Osoyoos Indian Band Development manages 13 different kinds of businesses, from commercial leasing to construction services and tourism ventures, including a resort, campground, golf course and winery.  
• The Osoyoos Indian Band was a key partner with the provincial government in the development of the Okanagan Correctional Centre, the first partnership between BC Corrections and a First Nation in B.C. The project generated many local jobs during construction and Osoyoos Indian Band remains a valued partner in delivering cultural programming. 
• The Osoyoos Indian Band has managed the campgrounds and facilities at sẁiẁs (pronounced: soo-yes) Park and sx̌ʷəx̌ʷnitkʷ (pronounced: so-ho-nit-kwa, formerly Okanagan Falls) Park since 2015 through an agreement with the Province. It also supports wildfire-risk management through its forestry branch and highlights conservation activities at the Nk’Mip (pronounced: in-ka-meep) Desert Cultural Centre.  
• The Province and the Osoyoos Indian Band have worked together on land and resource agreements that support economic development and community priorities, including forestry and collaborative land-use management. This approach helps create predictable conditions for investment and economic growth in the region. 

The B.C. government is confident this negotiations process and outcome will lead to positive benefits for the Osoyoos Indian Band as well as the whole region. 

History

The Osoyoos Indian Band’s ancestors lived on and cared for the lands and waters in their territory since before European contact. Today, many of the Osoyoos Indian Band’s members live and work on the Osoyoos Indian Reserve No. 1, which stretches from Oliver to Osoyoos.  

In the late 1800s and early 1900s, lands were taken from the Osoyoos Indian Band reserves by the provincial and federal governments. A reconciliation agreement will seek to address the outstanding impacts, including Osoyoos Indian Band’s loss of access to key cultural and spiritual sites.  

The Crown lands that may be under consideration are being identified and assessed and are likely to include areas that were part of the Osoyoos Indian Band’s historic reserves.

B.C. also understands the Osoyoos Indian Band’s deep connection to the land and interest in the protection of culturally significant places. While working in partnership with the band to negotiate a reconciliation agreement, B.C. will also seek to support the interests and well-being of everyone in the region and welcomes feedback.