Council reaching out to PIB on Banks Crescent proposal

Summerland council is reaching out to include the Penticton Indian band in discussions about the proposed Banks Crescent development.

“A staff to staff meeting with the PIB will be held (Tuesday),” director of development services Dean Strachan told council Monday.

Strachan did not provide information on the specifics of what the meeting might entail.

The meeting is in response to the Jan. 26 letter from PIB Chief Chad Eneas in which he wrote that the proposed development had not been adequately brought to the attention of the band.

He also expressed disappointment that the band had not been included in a meaningful way in relevant discussions occurring over months or years.

In late February, council directed staff to contact and meet with the PIB Natural Resources Development staff to identify opportunities for additional communication between the district and the PIB on development activities.

In addition, staff are to continue to work through the Regional District of Okanagan Similkameen referral working group on establishing a regional referral process protocol with First Nations.

A date for a proposed March meeting of the working group has yet to be announced, Strachan said Monday.

Chief administrative officer Linda Tynan has said the municipality is not required to consult with the band on a development of this nature and that consultations have not occurred about past developments.

The PIB apparently views the situation differently.

Included in Eneas’ letter is the statement that “after carefully considering all of the information available to PIB at this time, we write to inform you that we do not approve, consent or in any other manner agree to the proposed activity/ development.”

At the heart of the matter is whose land it is.

Referring to the South Okanagan Commonage Specific Claim, Eneas wrote that the lands in question are Syilx/ Penticton Indian band lands and that any activities proposed within the area are “wholly subject to Penticton Indian band/Syilx decision making authority.”

“From a legal perspective it (Eneas’ letter) would not stop the process,” Tynan has been quoted as saying.

In February, Summerland resident Eric Tait warned council not to underestimate the significance of the PIB’s refusal to support the proposed Banks Crescent development.