A
s the saying goes: build it, and they
will come.
The story takes place 480 kilometers east
of Vancouver, B.C., in south Okanagan.
Known for its vineyards and spectacular
natural beauty and Aboriginal culture, the
Okanagan people have lived in this region
for thousands of years. The Penticton In-
dian Band is the largest reserve in B.C.
with close to 47,000 acres and 1,100 mem-
bers. Another 35,000 people live in the
neighbouring town, the City of Penticton,
a growing hub in the residential develop-
ment area for this region.
Armed with a vision—and equipped with
a plan—to create opportunities for its peo-
ple and the communities around them,
the Penticton Indian Band Development
Corporation (PIBDC), is seeing the fruits
of years of infrastructure development and
negotiations with the province and federal
government.
Since its incorporation in 2007, the PIBDC
has seen incremental successes through
its three limited partnerships: Westhills
Aggregate LP, Coyote Cruises LP and
Sn’pink’tn Forestry LP. Success is mea-
sured in fiduciary terms, but also, and
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