Okanagan Indian Band Wildfire Recovery Xmas Day Fundraiser
At Sovereign Lake Nordic Club, we work and play on the traditional, ancestral, unceded territory of the Syilx /Okanagan people.
“The Okanagan Indian Band (OKIB) is one of several communities that suffered the destruction of homes and properties during the 2021 White Rock Lake fire. The fire ravaged thousands of square kilometers of land during July and August this year and led to the long-term evacuation of over 1,000 residents on the Indian Reserve #1.
Members of the OKIB community have lost homes, businesses, farms, and equipment from this devastating fire. Community members were displaced for weeks and suffered greatly while waiting to hear whether their lifelong homes had survived. This has had untold mental health effects. Additionally, the community has suffered losses to our Land including our watersheds, thousands of acres of forests, hunting grounds, and ceremonial lands. Many of the losses are uninsured, and the cultural significance of many possessions is of immeasurable value. Thankfully, no lives were lost but the immense grief felt by our community will persist for decades to come. At the time of this posting, there are still 35 people under evacuation until their homes are rebuilt”.
We are so proud to announce that our Christmas Day Fundraiser initiative will be in support of the Okanagan Indian Band Wildfire Recovery Fund. On Christmas Day, all revenues on December 25th will be contributed to this vital initiative in support of our friends and neighbours at the Okanagan Indian Band.
We are also accepting additional financial donations through the till inside our day lodge. Any amount will make a difference in the lives of those affected by this summer’s wildfires. Every dollar matters.
For more information on the OKIB Wildfire Recovery Fund please visit their website below.
https://okib.ca/departments/emergency-management
To donate straight to their GoFundMe Campaign, please follow the link below.
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