Lower Nicola Indian Band hoping for more dialogue with City Hall

The Lower Nicola Indian Band is directly downstream from all the work being done in Merritt around the Coldwater River. The city is working to temporarily reroute the river back to its original path, but the long-term future of the river is still unclear.

Chief of the Lower Nicola Indian Band Stu Jackson acknowledges the work being done in Merritt to bring residents home but hopes more dialogue can occur moving forward.

“There hasn’t been a lot of communication as of late,” said Jackson. “As far as the water flow, I know that there are some irregular flows that have occurred since the flooding. I believe there needs to be more dialogue and consultation with the city, and I’m hoping that we can come together very soon to have those discussion so we can better understand the impact and the new developments of these irregular water flows.”

The Band is working to ensure members who lived in Merritt are supported as they are dispersed around the Interior.

Jackson was also pleased at how the local bands, and governments in the valley have been working together since the floods.

“We are pulling together and the local nations are communicating the best we can. We’re supportive of each other in anyway possible. It’s hard to comprehend what’s happening further west with our neighbouring nations, I just hope we can all try to get through this the best way we can,” added Jackson.