The Public Safety section is responsible for providing promotions and services to enhance community safety. The section's services include Youth Recreation and Youth Justice workers.
The beginning for recovery: drug and alcohol addiction treatment pathways
Usually, it is overcoming denial that starts the process, or hitting "rock bottom” that often leads the user to treatment. But direct intervention works as well. Healing then becomes a lifetime process. Relapse is a focus at every level of treatment.
PRINCIPLES AND GOALS
Principles may include a variety of treatment options such as medication used along with individual and group therapy- peer groups, facilitated group therapy and educational groups are components of treatment and support recovery. Treating co-existing conditions along with addiction. Goals motivate clients toward abstinence and rebuilding lives without drug use.
Michael Ochoa, Justice Worker has group therapy- Wellbriety Meetings every Wednesday evening at the Public Safety Office from 5:30pm to 7:30 pm.
There is availability for Alcohol and Drug Counselling sessions and completion of forms to enter a treatment center. Linda Williams, Syilx Cultural Liaison, contact 250-308-6662 to set up an appointment.
Click here to read the full text on 'The Beginning for Recovery'
Meet Cst. Neil Horne, our new RCMP Indigenous Policing Liaison
I want to thank Chief and Council and the members of OKIB for the opportunity to be your RCMP Liaison Police Officer, through RCMP’s First Nations Policing Program. The program has three main goals:
- To enhance community policing services
- To support culturally responsive policing in First Nation and Inuit communities
- To recognize input from Indigenous communities of policing services received.
I would like to acknowledge that I have the privilege to work on the unceded territory of Syilx Okanagan peoples.
I have spent 20 years in social work prior to joining the RCMP, and I understand the importance of positive community engagement. I am a husband, father to 4 beautiful children and enjoy being active in their lives through coaching various sports they partake in. If you have any questions, comments, concerns, or just want to say hi, please feel free to connect with me, anytime you see me out and about in your community or at the Public Safety Office.
Also starting February 2023 I will have dedicated office hours every Tuesday and Thursday from 12:30to 3:30 at the Public Safety Office.
Remember: Anytime you require police services call 911 for all emergencies and for any non-emergency reports, you can call the Armstrong RCMP Detachment at 250-546-3028.
I look forward to hearing from you and working with everyone, to help maintain OKIB as a safe community to live, work and play.
My Contact Information:
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 250-546-3028
Our thanks and best wishes to Cst Kyle Camalush
Cst Horne replaces Cst Kyle Camalush who has been our liaison for the past two years. During that time, Cst Camalush was involved in many community events and engagement sessions, and he brought an important public safety conference to OKIB. He was instrumental in seeing the syilx flag flying at the Armstrong detachment.
We wish Cst Camalush all the best in the future.
Cultural Safety Education Dates
Mending Broken Hearts Healing Circle
Flag Raising Ceremony at Armstrong RCMP Detachment - October 20th
On October 20, 2022 at 11:00 am, a flag raising ceremony was held at the Armstrong RCMP Detachment located at 3710 Pleasant Valley Road. On this date, alongside community elders, the official Okanagan Nation Flag was raised to fly alongside the Canadian flag, on a newly installed flagpole, recognizing that the Detachment is located on the traditional sylix territory of the Okanagan peoples.
Public Safety Report
Safety is a Community Effort
A Witness Account of the September 12, 2022 Community Meeting. Click here to read about the community meeting.
Report on Youth Homelessness
The Public Safety unit has published the following documents on the subject of youth homelessness in the region. Please check out the report. If you are seeking housing or counselling, the Resource Library is a comprehensive list of resources that may be able to help.
- The Challenges Youth Face and the Movement to Over Come Them - Report
- Housing and Counselling Resource Library
9-1-1 Calling guide
Calling 9-1-1 can be stressful, when you need help and things are happening quickly.
Here's a few tips on what you can do to make sure emergency personnel get the information they need so you're prepared next time you need to dial 9-1-1.
"It's Our Culture that's going to get us out of this"
Jami Tonasket and Michael Ochoa share what inspires their work with the community at the Public Safety Department. Click here to read the article.
Ntytyix A Time for Action Phase II Final Report for 2022
Click Here to read the Phase 2 final report
Public Safety Report Oct 2021 to March 31 2022
You can read the report here:
Join Wellbriety
Drug Awareness Fact Sheets
Check out the Drug Awareness Fact Sheets which contains facts about many street drugs, their effects, and other important details.
Public Safety Reports
- Public Safety Final Report for 2022
- Public Safety Report April 1 to September 30, 2022
- Public Safety Report Oct 2021 to March 31, 2022
- Public Safety Annual Report 2020-2021
- Public Safety Report April to September 2021
- OKIB Public Safety Activity Report October 2020 to March 2021
- OKIB Public Safety Activity Report April to September 2020
RCMP Reports
So what exactly does the Public Safety department do?
I checked out the department and asked all the questions, here’s what I found - it’s a lot more than policing.
Story and photos by Kelsie Kilawna
When some think public safety they sometimes think it only means policing, however here on Head of the Lake rd. in the Public Safety Department (PSD) of the Okanagan Indian Band (OKIB) it also means cultural safety, it means safety on the roads, safety of the members who live off-reserve, or on the streets and so much more.
When you first enter the PSD building you enter through the bottom door and walk into a big bright room. The art covering the walls is by local sqilxw artists and instantly you're met with a warm hello and offered food or a drink by one of the team members.
So with that let's dive in and meet the team. Click here to read the entire story.
Careers with the RCMP
Ever considered a career in the RCMP? Check out the link to the Indigenous pre-cadet training program to learn more. And please reach out to Cst. Camalush if you have question
If you require urgent police assistance, please dial 9-1-1 immediately. Otherwise, please contact the Armstrong RCMP Detachment at 250-546-3028.
Cst. Kyle Camalush
RCMP Liaison Officer, Indigenous Policing Service
Phone: 250-546-3028
Email: [email protected]
Comprehensive Safety Strategy Survey
OKIB Youth Council
Click here to go to the OKIB Youth Council web page to read about the current representatives.
Self-management Resources for Community Members
Follow this link to see a list of free resources that you can use to learn, support and self-manage mild to moderate mental health concerns. Information regarding the programs is taken directly from their websites and is in their words, wherever possible.
Community Safety Information
Click here to read some tips on keeping your home, family and the community safe.