It is the first of what Westbank First Nation Chief, Robert Louie, hopes are many more cooperative partnerships.

The Campbell Road Interchange, the first piece of the new William R. Bennett Bridge, officially opened Friday morning.

"This is our first major project of this magnitude and we're certainly proud of what has been accomplished here," says Louie.

"We had the responsibility to manage and administer, to make sure the project was being done properly, to administer the funds, work with the design and to be responsible this interchange was delivered on time and on budget."

Louie says the band received just over $1 million for the project.

"With that, we had to put money into it as well. Some of the storm drainage costs were something we had to contribute."

WFN also donated the land for the project.

Louie says the lands are well within the documented heritage site of his aboriginal people.

"A historic village and primary lake crossing point existed here at this very location. Our ancestors used this point as a gathering place and would cross the lake by swimming, by canoe, by raft and later by horse. This was our crossing of Okanagan Lake."

A plaque, commemorating the significance of the site was unveiled on the edge of the east side of the interchange.

The interchange will also feature a number of art works and sculptures which Louie says incorporate aboriginal Okanagan symbolism.

"The concrete wall behind 19 Greens is embossed with Ogopogo. This image reminds us of our long standing to the lake and to the protection of this lake."

He says two coyotes, the main character in Okanagan stories, will grace the east portion of the interchange.

"We are excited about these sculptures here. The coyotes and the rest of our sculptures will be in place in the next few weeks and you will see them prominently."

Louie adds the WFN hopes to use the training it gained on the interchange for other projects, including the proposed Westside Road interchange.