Westbank First Nation looking to freeze ‘improper’ land sale, says reforms will be implemented
Global News
WFN says the sale happened in 2021, and involved two staff members who sold and transferred property in Peachland without council authorization.
Westbank First Nation says it will be changing its policies following an independent report into an alleged improper land sale.
According to Westbank First Nation (WFN), the report was released this week, and it “identifies multiple, serious problems with the transaction, potentially depriving the Nation of millions of dollars.”
WFN says the sale happened in 2021 and involved two WFN staff members who sold and transferred property in Peachland without council authorization. WFN says it’s looking to freeze the sale.
“Council has accepted the findings and recommendations contained in the report and is taking immediate action to implement the reforms needed to protect WFN’s ability to self-govern,” the First Nation said in a press release on Friday.
WFN says the property was valued at $1.5 million by one employee via an outdated 2009 appraisal, “likely significantly less than the market value of the property,” with the other employee then transferring it.
The First Nation says it’s pursuing further civil and criminal investigations into the transaction to either get the land back or get appropriate compensation for it.
WFN says the report was issued by Marion Buller, chief commissioner for the national inquiry into missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls.
“The report identified governance gaps and practices that need to be addressed immediately,” said WFN.
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