Chiefs Executive Council
The Syilx Okanagan Nation is governed by the Chiefs Executive Council (CEC), a leadership body of the Syilx Okanagan Nation established under Syilx law, and comprised of the y̓il̓mixʷm, the elected Chief of the affiliated communities, and the xaʔtus, the elected leader of the Syilx Okanagan Nation. The mandate of the CEC is to advance, assert, support and preserve Syilx Okanagan Nation sovereignty. The y̓il̓mixʷm of the affiliated communities also serve as directors of the Okanagan Nation Alliance, a society that serves the Syilx Okanagan Nation and its people, carrying out work directed by the CEC.
The Chiefs Executive Council holds regular meetings monthly, as well as an Annual General Assembly held in July of every year. Special meetings are called throughout the year to deal with specific areas of concern.
| Okanagan Indian Band | y̓il̓mixʷm naspəpʕásəs Dan Wilson |
| Upper Nicola Band | y̓ilmixʷm kwolila Dan Manuel |
| Westbank First Nation | y̓ilmixʷm simo Robert Louie |
| Penticton Indian Band | y̓ilmixʷm sil-teekin Greg Gabriel |
| Lower Similkameen Indian Band | y̓ilmixʷm kalʔlu̓paq̓n Keith Crow |
| Osoyoos Indian Band | y̓ilmixʷm ki law na Clarence Louie, ONA xaʔtus |
xaʔtus (Tribal Chair)
On July 28, 2020, Chief Clarence Louie was elected by the ONA Chiefs Executive Council as Tribal Chair and spokesperson of the ONA. y̓ilmixʷm ki law na is the longest standing Chief within the Nation, providing strong leadership based on his years of experience, knowledge and service to the Nation.
ki law na was first elected as Chief of the Osoyoos Indian Band in 1984, part of the Syilx Okanagan Nation. He is an entrepreneur, with success in building tourism and industrial enterprises, and has an interest in building strong relationships and advancing reconciliation in the province.
Although economic development is the means to achieving self-sufficiency, y̓ilmixʷm ki law na continues to emphasize the importance of maintaining Syilx Okanagan language and culture in all aspects of the Nation’s activities.
*Photo by Aaron Hemens, IndigiNews
Executive Director
suikiʔst Pauline Terbasket is a proud smǝlqmíx woman, member of the Syilx Nation, and Executive Director of the Okanagan Nation Alliance, a post she has held for over 25 years.
With decades of experience working for First Nations governments, suikiʔst is a strong advocate for tackling issues hindering the prosperity and wellness of Indigenous people.
In her role as Executive Director, suikiʔst directs her efforts towards a wide range of issues spanning from children, youth, families, and elders to language and culture revitalization, land stewardship, health governance, food sovereignty and the reintroduction of salmon to Syilx Okanagan territory.
