Okanagan Indian Band officials say they're ready to make a rail trail a reality.
The band has joined the inter-jurisdictional development team, which will oversee the planning and construction of the 47.5 rail corridor from Coldstream to Kelowna.
"We want to be a good partner," said Allan Louis, OKIB councillor.
Last year, the band applied for an injunction to stop Canadian National’s sale of the rail corridor to local communities.
The Commonage Indian reserve, which includes 22 kilometres of the rail corridor, was created in 1877, but the band says federal and provincial officials eliminated the reserve a decade later.
The band insisted that when a portion of the corridor ceased to be used for railway purposes, it should have reverted to band control instead of CN selling the property to the Regional District of North Okanagan, Lake Country and Kelowna.
The injunction was denied and, as a result, the band council decided to join the trail development process.
"We have chosen to move forward in a new direction to ensure our involvement and demonstrate our desire to engage in positive discussions with our neighbours. As the cultural gateway to the Okanagan, council seeks to partner on investments that will have significant benefits to the region," states a release.
The band insists, though, that participation in the IDT does not affect its title or the Commonage claim.
"We want to be part of the trail and the lain claim is separate," said Louis.
Some ideas are already being put forward for development of the corridor, including possibly cultural stations.
"Some of our historic sites are along the corridor. First Nations have always been here and want to share that," said Darcy Aubin, OKIB's director of lands and economic development.
It's expected that the 2.5 kilometres of the corridor within the Duck Lake reserve will look the same as the rest of the trail.
"We've been instructed that it won't cost us any money for construction and there will be fundraising. Perhaps there may be maintenance costs down the road," said Aubin.
The existing members of the inter-jurisdictional development team are pleased to see the OKIB involved.
"We've always encouraged them to be part of this trail development group," said David Sewell, Regional District of North Okanagan chief administrative officer.
"Their goals and our goals are not mutually exclusive."
Having all of the local communities involved may help with obtaining grants for construction, says Juliette Cunningham, Greater Vernon Advisory Committee chairperson.
"The federal and provincial governments like partnerships," she said.