Osoyoos Indian Band

Osyoos, BC

The Osoyoos Indian Band (Okanagan: Swiw̓s)[1] is a First Nations government in the Canadian province of British Columbia, located in the town of Oliver and Osoyoos in the Okanagan valley, approximately four kilometres (2+1⁄2 miles) north of the Canada–United States border. They are a member of the Okanagan Nation Alliance. The band controls about 32,000 acres of land in the vicinity of the town of Oliver and Osoyoos.[2]

The band's Nk'Mip Desert Cultural Centre (pronounced “in-Ka-meep”) is located on the east side of Osoyoos. The centre gives tours in the arid region (similar to desert, but actually shrub-steppe) and explains the uniqueness of the plant species found there. The current chief of the band is Clarence Louie.[3] Louie has pushed for economic self-reliance by expanding investments, including a vineyard and winery, a four-star resort, and a 9-hole golf course.[3]

There are more than 600 band members who live and work on the reserve.[3]

  1. ^ Upper Nicola Band. “Syilx Place Names.” Facebook, October 5, 2020. https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=1057161971367609.
  2. ^ "About OIBDC". Osoyoos Indian Band Development Corporation. Retrieved 2012-10-31.
  3. ^ a b c "Canada First Nations, Osoyoos Indian Band | NK'MIP Resort". Nkmip.com. Retrieved 2012-10-31.