Occupation of premier’s office ends as meetings planned with First Nations over human-waste spreading in Okanagan

The Canadian Press, April 21, 2015

First Nations leaders say the occupation of Premier Christy Clark’s constituency office is over because the government has agreed to talk about the spread of treated human waste on private and public lands in the Nicola Valley.

Four chiefs and a representative from a fifth First Nation began their sit-in of Clark’s West Kelowna office on April 15.

At the time, Chief Aaron Sam of the Lower Nicola Indian Band said leaders had met Environment Minister Mary Polak twice and asked her to disclose where the waste was being spread, but the government only provided a partial list.

The leaders said they were worried about impacts on land, water, traditional foods and health, noting the government is legally obligated to consult with aboriginals.