City of Penticton, Penticton Indian Band say they are working to address local homeless encampment

In a joint statement issued Wednesday morning, the City of Penticton and Penticton Indian Band said they are working with the province to address a homeless encampment.

The encampment in question is located at Fairview Road and Highway 97, an area that is under the province’s jurisdiction.

According to the news release, that chunk of land falls outside both the city and band’s jurisdiction and the responsibility lies with the province.

The lands were appropriated by the Federal government in the 1950’s and transferred over the province in 1955 for flood control and infrastructure projects but they were never returned to the Penticton Indian Band, the new release explained.

However, the city and band say they are looking for solutions alongside the province.

Penticton mayor Julius Bloomfield said they were working with 100 More Homes, BC Housing and Interior Health to address the encampment and the overall homeless population.

“We want to ensure the safety of everyone in our community and have taken steps, in partnership, to make that happen,” Bloomfield said.

Meanwhile, Chief Greg Gabriel of the snpink’tn Indian Band said that their community wants to see the people at the encampment and “re-homed and treated with respect.”

The band also wants to see the land cleaned up and Ellis Creek better protected.

“All lands within our Territory must be treated with respect and reciprocity and the individuals encamped on the property deserve the same,” said Gabriel in the news release.

“We are working together to address these issues over both the short and long-term.”

Although the city’s bylaw department and the snpink’tn Guardians have provided regular support to the people staying at the encampment, they do not have the legal authority or the capacity to deal with it.

The news release said discussion with the province are ongoing and the city is working to find long-term solutions to provide enough housing for everyone in the community.

^{Thumbnail photo credit: City of Penticton file picture}