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The Okanagan Indian Band has reaffirmed its opposition to the sale of the CN Rail line between Kelowna and Vernon. And who can blame them?
The land was taken from the band, after all, for creation of the railway. Now the trains are gone, the band says the land should be returned.
But, it’s what the Indian band is not saying that is most concerning.
The band should be clear in its position on whether the scenic trail would remain open to the public. Much effort has gone into securing the property for future generations. Indeed, the purchase by local municipalities is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to preserve what could become a magnet for tourists, cyclists and hikers surpassing even the Myra Canyon trestles.
A few things need to happen to restore public confidence in the process, however.
The Indian band should come clean on its intentions for the rail line lands.
If the line is to revert to the band, the federal government should pay the whole shot to buy it back from CN, not local governments. It’s the feds who took it in the first place.
While the band did ask local mayors to back its land claim, a more positive scenario might see them working together with a commitment to maintain public access. The municipalities could put the $22 million they’d save toward maintenance and trail improvements, while the band could realize significant business opportunities by operating ventures such as bicycle rentals, SeaDoo rentals or a snack shop or cultural centre along the route.
Lastly, no one wants to see tolls on the path. Paying to play would simply lead visitors elsewhere.
Till now, attention to the land claim has mostly focused on the Duck Lake Reserve area, but Chief Byron Louis restated this week the band’s claim to the most scenic stretch along Kalamalka Lake as well.
It would be a shame to see it fenced off or, worse yet, built on.
We're confident that, in a spirit of openness, co-operation – and reconciliation – this project can go ahead, for the mutual benefit of First Nations and non-natives alike. Let’s make it happen.
– News Director Jon Manchester
