Recovery Phase

OKIB's Emergency Management Program coordinates and communicates emergency measures and information to OKIB members and residents living on OKIB reserves. We have entered the Recovery Phase and are working to assist members to get back to normal.

Recovery Phase
This page will be used to communicate recovery information to members.

October 12, 2021

Missed Fridge/Freezer Pick Ups

Way’ OKIB Membership,

If you were evacuated for an extended period of time, and your fridge or freezer was missed during the by RAM Environment in September, or have a family member who missed the fridge and freezer pick ups, please contact the recovery team immediately.

Please email Peggy Joe, [email protected] or call 236-600-0159 ext 1013

October 12, 2021

Danger Tree Assessments should be completed by end of week, Recovery Team and Assessors will visit sites

Way’ OKIB Membership,

Danger Tree Assessments are still underway and should be complete by the end of the week. Members of the Recovery Team will be attending properties with the Assessors.

The tree’s are being marked for two purposes, one will be for removing the tree, and the second will be for retaining the tree due to the high number of burnt trees. This will vary from property to property. All trees that are 100% scorched or dead will be removed regardless of whether they are marked or not.

The removal of tree’s is still in the planning phase, further updates will be posted when the funding for removal is approved.

The Recovery Team
[email protected]
Phone: 236-600-0159 ext 1013

OKIB Recovery Team

The goal of the OKIB Recovery Team is a highly skilled, cross-functional team assembled to coordinate and communicate recovery actions and initiatives for OKIB members and residents living on OKIB reserves in support of working towards members and residents to get back to normal. This specialized team is also focused on progressing in the economic, cultural, environmental, agricultural, and structural recovery efforts.

Interim OKIB Recovery Team

An interim Recovery Team has been set up by OKIB Administration, that consists of a combination of specialized contract workers and OKIB employees. The Interim OKIB Recovery Team was implemented with the goal of providing immediate/interim support and solutions for:

  • OKIB Members living on OKIB IR1
  • Immediate Housing Recovery Initiatives
  • Environmental and Economic Recovery Assessment and Planning
  • Human Wellness Services and Community Support

In addition to the coordination of the short-term recovery efforts of the Interim OKIB Recovery Team, the Recovery Manager has identified the key roles, responsibilities, risks, and non-negotiable resources required for the Planned OKIB Recovery Team to effectively move the OKIB Recovery Project into the next phase of recovery.

Recovery Org Chart Nterim
Interim OKIB Recovery Team Organizational Chart

Planned OKIB Recovery Team

As the needs of the Recovery Team continue to develop, the key personnel roles and responsibilities have been identified in the organizational chart below, pending funding. Most roles have been filled; we are in the recruitment process for a few of the roles within the Planned OKIB Recovery Team. The Planned OKIB Recovery Team was implemented with the goal of providing immediate/interim support and solutions for these and other recovery efforts:

  • OKIB Members living on OKIB IR1
  • Long-Term Housing Recovery Initiatives
  • Environmental, Agricultural, and Economic Recovery Planning
  • Community Support
  • Emergency Support
Recovery Org Chart Final
Planned OKIB Recovery Team Organizational Chart

Samaritan’s Purse is offering services to members

September 29, 2021

The Samaritan’s Purse is offering to homeowners impacted by the White Rock Lake Wildfire the following services:

  • Ash Sifting: They will provide a team that will search specific portions of burnt homes/structures as requested by the homeowner. This task will be carried out for individuals who are looking to recover specific items.
  • Debris cleanup: They will assist the homeowner by moving debris from the home/structure site to a designated location on their property. They will not be taking it from the property to another location or waste site.
  • Other work: Homeowners may call in and request assistance with other issues that were directly caused by the wildfire. Any work not listed above will be considered on a case by case basis. The decision to undertake any work will rest solely with the Assessor and the Operations Manager.

These services will be provide for homeowners who were partially or fully impacted by the wildfire. If a structure only received partial damage an assessment will be made of what work will lay within our scope of capacity. This service is provided on a volunteer basis, you can contact them at 1-866-628-6565.

Their last day for taking work order requests will be Saturday, October 2 at 4 PM.

­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­OKIB IR#1 Tree Assessments

September 23, 2021

The Recovery Environment Team will be out walking Band and CP lands to assess fire impacted trees for potential removal starting September 27th. All trees on CP lands will be marked for removal with paint. The process for removing trees on CP lands will include:

  • Engagement with CP Holder
  • Permission to remove tree
  • Instruction for firewood use where applicable
  • This process will be communicated post assessment

If you have any questions, please contact [email protected] or call 236-600-0159 ext 1013.

Fridge and Freezer Replacements for OKIB Band Members

The Recovery Team can replace one fridge and one freezer per band member household. We are working with Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) to determine if more than one appliance will be eligible and if the agree, what that criteria will be. The rates that ISC will replace the appliances are:

  • Fridges - $800
  • Freezers - $500

We received the list of fridges and freezers removed by RAM Environmental from OKIB IR#1. The replacement of these one fridge and/or one freezer for Band members will be based on the list we received from RAM Environmental. We are in the process of getting approval from ISC to replace the appliances and getting the replacements ordered. The Recovery Team will contact OKIB band members on the list once the appliances arrive.

If you have replaced your appliance and you kept your receipt you are able to be reimbursed to the maximum allowable amount of up to $800 for a fridge and $500 for a freezer once we have approval from ISC.

Any questions contact the Recovery Team at 236-600-0159 ext. 1013­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­

Recovery Team Seeking Qualified Workers

The Recovery Team is creating a list of qualified OKIB trades people for future opportunities during construction and renovation projects to with the Recovery Housing Team and contractors.

The opportunities include:

  • Trades Carpenter
  • Electrician
  • Plumbing
  • General labourers
  • Red Seal is preferred but if you are an apprentice please apply.

Please send a resume with you experience, certifications, and contact information, and when you are available to work to Al Loke, Recovery Section Chief [email protected]

OKIB Food Replacement Program

September 16, 2021

The Okanagan Indian Band Food Replacement Program is a program to support community members returning home with adequate food supply after an emergency.

The Food Replacement Program is in place to support our community members with food and nutritional requirements upon returning home at the start of the OKIB Recovery Phase. If you are an OKIB Member living on OKIB IR1 this program is for you.

To apply for the Food Replacement Program, please click the link below. The link will take you to a Google Form to fill out for support.

Click here to apply for the food replacement program online

Or

Click here to download an application form that you can fill out and drop off at the Band office.

Once you’ve requested support, a representative from the Recovery Operations Team may contact you for additional information.

Note: We will continue to provide updates on the Recovery Program here on the OKIB website, the public OKIB Facebook page, and the private Facebook page for OKIB members only.

Recovery Information

The following documents are provided to help you prepare for reentry into the area. Please check back as we will be updating this page frequently.

Emergency Operations Centre Updates

Read the recent updates from OKIB's Emergency Operations Centre staff: