Westbank First Nation

09/03/2026

🐻 BEAR AWARE: Help Keep Bears Wild & Our Community Safe

Bears are active in our area, and we can all do our part to reduce encounters.

The best way to prevent bears from coming into our community is to remove access to food and other attractants.

🏠 Around your home:
• Secure garbage and organics until collection day
• Pick fruit and remove fallen fruit
• Take down bird feeders during bear season
• Keep pet food and dishes indoors
• Clean your BBQ and grease trap after use
• Keep compost properly managed
• Secure chickens, livestock, bees and their feed

🐻 If you see a bear:
• Stay calm and keep your distance
• Never approach, feed or follow a bear
• Do not run or yell
• Slowly move away and give the bear an escape route
• Keep children and dogs away
• Keep dogs leashed, never allow them to chase a bear
• Carry bear spray when in bear country and know how to use it

If you see a bear that is acting aggressively, accessing human food or creating a safety concern, report it to the BC Conservation Officer Service RAPP line at 1-877-952-7277.

A fed bear is a bear at risk. By securing attractants, we can help keep bears wild and our community safe. 🐾

Learn more from WildSafebc Central Okanagan

09/02/2026

🔥Following the Kamloops Fire Centre’s recent update and the continued cooler, wet weather, Category 1 campfires are now permitted starting Thursday, Sept. 3, 2026 at 12:00 noon.

Open burning remains closed throughout the Central Okanagan until further notice.

For full ban info, please see our website here: https://www.wfn.ca/blog/Campfire-Ban-Lifted-September-3-at-Noon.htm

09/02/2026

🐻Bears have been spotted in and around our community. Please be safe and manage your attractants!

August is when bears are up higher feeding on huckleberry crops. However, with the failure of huckleberry crops in some key locations, bears are staying down lower searching for alternative food sources.

Don't be the reason a bear becomes a garbage bear.

09/01/2026

Info Sharing:
📣 Interested in making a difference in your community?
The nomination period is now open for the 2026 General Local Election.
Residents are invited to put their names forward for:
• Central Okanagan East Electoral Area director
• Central Okanagan West Electoral Area director
• School District No. 23 trustee, Area 1, Zone 1
• School District No. 23 trustee, Area 2, Zone 2
Local elected officials play an important role in shaping our communities. Whether your interests are in local services, regional decision-making or public education, running for office is an opportunity to bring your experience and perspective to the table.
Nominations close at 4 p.m. Friday, Sept. 11.
Interested in running? Learn about the roles, eligibility requirements and nomination process, and download a nomination package at yoursay.rdco.com/election2026.
Questions? Contact [email protected]

Your vote. Your voice. Your local representation. This page is your hub for 2026 election information including voting eligibility, key dates, voting locations and more.

09/01/2026

The 2026 Salmon Feast will be held September 18- 20, at sx̌ʷəx̌ʷnitkʷ Okanagan Falls Provincial Park.

The Salmon Feast is a three-day event that involves multiple activities including: ceremonies, a canoe paddle, and a salmon feast and ceremony on the Sunday for snxaʔl̓iwlem, honouring the sacredness of the river.

The camping application is now open! Please note the camping spots on-site are limited therefore, applicants need to disclose all RV's and tents. Filling out this application does not guarantee you a camping spot: https://forms.gle/UiMEZqojemzfoJko8

08/31/2026

Please be advised that WFN offices will close at 12:00 p.m. on Friday, September 4th and remain closed all day Monday, September 7th in recognition of Labour Day.

Regular office hours will resume on Tuesday, September 8th.

Thank you, and have a safe and enjoyable long weekend!

08/28/2026

Effective tomorrow, Friday August 28, at noon PDT the Off Road Vehicle (ORV) prohibition is rescinded in the Southeast, Cariboo, Coastal and Kamloops Fire Centres.

We recognize that ORVs play an important role in recreation, hunting and accessing the outdoors for many. Restrictions are only considered when multiple factors indicate an elevated wildfire risk, heightened wildfire activity and limited capacity to respond to new fire starts.

With improving conditions in some regions of B.C., and cooler wetter weather in the forecast we are now able to rescind these prohibitions. We continue to monitor wildfire risk and prohibitions may be implemented or rescinded as conditions change.

We appreciate the patience and cooperation shown by ORV users during this period. We know many riders take fire prevention seriously and recreate responsibly on established roads and trails. If you're returning to the backcountry, we ask for your support in reporting any new wildfires through our app or by calling *5555.

For more information: https://blog.gov.bc.ca/bcwildfire/category/information-bulletins/

08/26/2026

Notice of Polls

TAKE NOTICE THAT in accordance with the Westbank First Nation Advisory Council Law No. 2017, a poll will be conducted for ONE (1) Advisory Council Member representing the District of LAKESHORE. The Candidates for the District are listed below:
ALLEN DION
RAE-LYNNE MILLS

Advance Polls will be held:
Date: September 23, 2026
Time: 8:00am to 8:00pm
Location: 1st floor boardroom, Westbank First Nation Government Offices, 515 Hwy 97, Westbank, BC

Polls will be held:
Date: October 15, 2026
Time: 8:00am to 8:00pm
Location: 1st floor boardroom, Westbank First Nation Government Offices, 515 Hwy 97, Westbank, BC

List of Nominees, full polling information, and Advisory Council information available here: https://www.wfn.ca/advisory-council.htm #

08/26/2026

Media Release | August 24, 2026

A message of reconciliation, understanding, and unity from the Syilx Okanagan Nation.

Read the full media release on our website: https://syilx.org/the-syilx-okanagan-nation-are-calling-for-reconciliation-understanding-in-canada/