Okanagan Indian Band ‘getting stronger everyday’ amid devastating wildfire

By Aaron Hemens, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, IndigiNews Although a devastating wildfire continues to leave hundreds without access to their homes, Okanagan Indian Band (OKIB)’s chief says his community “is getting stronger everyday.” “We’re holding up,” naspəpʕásəs Dan Wilson told IndigiNews on Wednesday, almost a week since the Bradley Creek wildfire ignited on reserve lands at nk̓maplqs (the head of Okanagan Lake) on July 31. “We’re very resilient. We have a long history — we’ve been here for 10,000 years.” The fire — which Wilson said sparked on range land above the community’s powwow grounds — is currently listed as out of control and is measured at more than 2,800 hectares, according to BC Wildfire Services’ Aug. 6 update. “It was really a shock how fast this happened,” said Wilson….

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