I read with interest the news that the Okanagan Indian Band is considering purchasing O’Keefe Ranch from the city of Vernon.
This land was originally acquired in the 19th century through a colonial process known as pre-emption, which in modern language was a system of organized theft.
Considering that the land has always been Okanagan land, the question of the city actually asking OKIB to purchase the property after the historic wrongs perpetrated, I suggest that the city charge the band the original $1 that the city paid to the Devonian Foundation.
And if the band wants to be generous, they can double that amount!
