Okanagan Falls may need to change its name in order to become B.C.’s newest municipality


A small community in southern Okanagan de BC may have to undergo a name change.

The possible change occurs after Okanagan Falls voted to join to become the new municipality of BC.

The incorporation process was exciting for Mike and Kyle Belich. The father-son duo moved to Okanagan Falls three years ago, and quickly noticed a change in the small community on the beach.

“We came to look at this place in summer and the mountain was on fire, and everything was upholstered, the service station did not have gasoline, the bank was closed and there was barely a place to have a cup of coffee, but now the difference is incredible,” said Kyle Belich.

The Belich family now has and operates the only edible store in Okanagan Falls.

The community is about 15 kilometers south of Penticton, BC, at the foot of Lake Skaha. It has a population of just under 2,300 people, but that has not prevented companies like Belich from succeeding.

“It is a small growing community and once we settled here, the hotel opened, the Avery [Farms] The group opened for their lettuce plant and there are other developments, “said Mike Belich.

Mike Belich moved to Okanagan Falls three years ago and operates the only grocery store in the community. (Tiffany Goodwein/ CBC News)

Undrip creates changes

The recent increase in economic development generated a movement to become an official municipality. Residents who voted in support wanted to see more local decision making and more money to go to infrastructure projects to boost community growth. Residents voted 53 percent in favor of incorporation last March.

However, becoming the first BC community to incorporate since the province adopted the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (Undrip) in 2019 means that the process is carried out within a changed political landscape.

The legislation specifically establishes that indigenous peoples have the right to “designate and retain their own names for communities, places and people.”

The Municipal Affairs of BC told CBC News that it is working in association with the Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen and the India Osoyoos band to explore how the name of the community can better reflect the original language, culture and inheritance of the area.

Look | Okanagan falls to become a municipality:

Okanagan falls to become the new municipality of BC

A small community south of Penticton is preparing for change. Recently voted to become the new municipality of BC. As Tiffany Goodwein reports from CBC, it could mean a new identity.

It is a process that some have taken by surprise.

“The province asks us to consider a change of name. If that had been the case, our feeling is that it should have been announced before the referendum,” said Matt Taylor, head director of the electoral area of the Regional District.

He said that many people who voted in support of the incorporation did it because they wanted to see more local decisions.

“If the province wanted us to consider a change of name, that is the responsibility at this point of a mayor and a council,” he said.

The Okanagan Falls community is 20 km south of Penticton BC
Chief Clarence Louie of the Osoyoos India Band says that Okanagan Falls, which is shown here, is an important place for his nation. (Tiffany Goodwein/CBC News)

Indigenous rights considered

Chief Clarence Louie, of the Indian Band of Osoyos, said that the name changes are an important step and are very late.

“Okanagan Falls is an important place for our people, we had a reservation there, no one can deny that, and the name changes are happening in this country,” he said.

The boss also did not agree that renowned Okanagan’s falls should be a decision for the new mayor and the Council.

“When it comes to reconciliation and land claims and indigenous peoples who have rights, they are not ready for a vote,” he said.

The discussions about a possible name change for Okanagan Falls are still in the early stages, according to Louie.

As for the Belich family, while they are concerned about the delays that can come with the name of the community, they are excited about what is coming, now that the community is moving towards incorporation.

“We are creating a really incredible place here, and we have nowhere to go but forward and up,” said Kyle Belich.



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