Westbank reserve lands double in size

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The Westbank First Nation's reserve lands have doubled in size, now that two parcels of land in Gallagher Canyon received reserve status on Aug. 23.

The land, now known as Medicine Creek Indian Reserve No. 12, and Medicine Hill Indian Reserve No. 11, is located in southeast Kelowna on Mission Creek and covers about 1,178 hectares.

The Gallagher Canyon lands were purchased using some of the funds received by Westbank in 1983 as part a claim settlement compensating the band for lands cut off from their reserve.

Tim Raybould is director of intergovernmental affairs with the Westbank First Nation. Raybould said the process involved in getting reserve status for the Gallagher Canyon lands was long and complicated, involving negotiation with both the federal and provincial governments, as well as two irrigation districts, the City of Kelowna, and the Regional District of Central Okanagan.

The band purchased the land from a private land owner more than 15 years ago, but use of the land has been limited to cattle grazing. Now that reserve status has been achieved, Raybould said the plan is to build community housing on the land. He expects about 100 homes will be built.