Okanagan and Similkameen First Nations and local governments, including the Regional Districts of the Okanagan, are set to sign a landmark memorandum for protecting local watersheds.

Chiefs of the bands part of the syilx Okanagan Nation Alliance, regional district chairs, mayors and both municipal and band councillors will be forming a new collaborative leadership table to sign the agreement. 

The memorandum will set out a path to work together for the protection and restoration of siwɬkÊ·, water, and the t91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ™É™ctxÌŒap tl tqalqaltikn, watersheds, for current and future generations.

"As you move forward in this process, I encourage you to make a commitment to working together for the benefit of the watershed that we all share," said syilx Elder caylx, Richard Armstrong. "Remember that the siwɬkÊ· connects us all. This connection flows through our communities and across jurisdictional lines, and it carries with it a responsibility that we should not take lightly."

The announcement states the agreement is the first time local governments and the ONA have come together on a large scale to address a common concern.

"This agreement supports the frameworks of the United Nations Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) and the BC Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (DRIPA)," said the ONA. "This agreement supports government-to-government relationships between the Syilx Nation and local governments through a collaborative and inclusive engagement process that builds relationships based on respect, trust, cooperation and partnerships."

The signing of the agreement will take place on the land of the Penticton Indian Band on Nov. 15.