Manic Monday | Osoyoos Indian Band - Bringing together the past and the present

The problem lies somewhere deep in history of the tourism industry. The adage "better together" while often given lip service, does not, at times, really portray the truth that often exists within the tourism sector.

Last Friday I, together with a number of the TOTA team, had the opportunity to join the Osoyoos Indian Band and the surrounding communities as they celebrated the 10th anniversary of the construction of the $10 million Nk'Mip Desert Cultural Centre and its 30 acres of protected desert ecology.  This Centre, in its short 10 years, has welcomed countless numbers of residents and visitors allowing them to come face to face with the unique history of the 7 nations and 1 tribe that are the Okanagan Nation Alliance.

This facility was long overdue and yet ahead of its time. Made possible through the efforts of visionaries who were willing to spend thousands of hours negotiating, consulting, debating, cooperating, disagreeing and ultimately agreeing on a direction.  It was the dream of of a First Nations community who were not afraid to challenge the norm, willing to work in partnership, unwilling to take no for an answer and passionate in their belief that preserving the past, elevating and celebrating traditional ways, providing a place for education and ceremony, could help change their world and the world of those around them.

The face of the Thompson Okanagan was changed with the addition of the Nk'Mip Cultural Centre and is an example of a world class facility that is held in high regard around the country and in other parts of the world.

We congratulate the Osoyoos Indian Band on the first 10 years of this facility which continues to expand and develop.  Plans are already underway for a further $5 million expansion and without question in the next decade we will realize even further progress in the telling of the First Nations story through places like the Nk'Mip Desert Cultural Centre and countless others to come.

Glenn Mandziuk, TOTA President & CEO