Celebrating Community, Culture and Legacy in the Okanagan
Hodge Podge by Charlie Hodge
I was kept hopping last week, and upon reflection, realize how the couple of events we took part in were also emblematic, reflective flashbacks of events that kept me busy in earlier years. Life can indeed be like a circle.
As mentioned in my previous HodgePodge, Tez and I thoroughly enjoyed taking in the season opening home game of the Kelowna Rockets, and even though the outcome wasn’t terrific the rest of the evening certainly was. Many of the Rockets played good games showing a lot of skill and class in the process. Everything about the night was top shelf including the on ice and off-stage antics designed to keep fans engaged. The team certainly understands how to market and treat their fans well.
While I was there partly to check out the new score clock, what I failed to realize (until I got there) was just how much I loved junior hockey and the efforts and memories watching such a game would provide. I spent three years with an earlier version of the Rockets with the Kelowna Buckaroos of the B.C. Junior Hockey League as a stick boy and trainer. In those days Kelowna, Penticton, Vernon, and other teams formed the BCJHL which then fed its star players to the Western Canada Hockey League (the equivalent of the Rockets today). In those days our stars such as Blair Chapman, Doug Manchack, Ron Andruff, Gene Carr, Dave Lewis, Greg Fox, Butch Deadmarsh and others, usually wound up in Saskatoon or Flin Flon of the WHL before hitting the NHL.
I look back now with fond memories of long, cold nights on the big, old team bus travelling to and from other rinks. I would sharpen skates, tape wounds, organize the dressing room, calm down bruised egos…It was a wonderful experience and one few others have shared.
It all came warmly back to me as I watched the Rockets that night.
The following day Tez and I walked miles in many other people’s shoes as we took in the Okanagan Historical Society’s Centennial Celebration at the Mary Irwin Theatre.
Hosted by OHS, participants viewed the groups lengthy salute to the memberships in its seven society branches Valley including Kelowna, Salmon Arm, Armstrong-Enderby, Vernon, Summerland, Penticton and Oliver-Osoyoos.
Cowboy Poet Ken Mather was surprisingly entertaining giving the crowd plenty to chuckle and applaud about. I am always impressed when someone can spew out lines and lines of poetry from memory and not need a prompter. Mather made you feel like you were right in a saddle next to him as he told his western tales.
Highlight of the night for Tez and I, however, was the true honour of listening to Chief Clarence Louis of the Okanagan Indian Band. Chief of the Osoyoos band since 1984 Louie is well acknowledged for his economic development approach to improving his people’s standard of living. Under his guidance and tutelage, the band now owns or manages nine businesses employing hundreds of people.
The band runs multiple vineyards, a read-mix company, a construction company, championship golf course, eco-tourism business, Nk’Mip Cellars (first Aboriginal winery in North America), the Nk’Mip Desert& Cultural Centre, multiple educational institutes, and many other facilities and features.
Louis told the audience the Osoyoos Bands motto is, “In Business to Preserve Our Past By Strengthening our Future”.
In 2021 he received an honorary doctorate from the University of British Columbia and was the very first First Nations person inducted into the Canadian Business Hall of Fame. Despite his publishing of Rez Rules: My Indictment of Canadas, and America’s School System Racism Against Indigenous Peoples Louie spent only a brief part of his presentation discussing the reconciliation still ongoing.
When Tez and I met him after the show Louie said he will gladly meet with us to talk about our (mainly Tez) eight years working the legal compensation side for victims during the truth and reconciliation trials. We look forward to that discussion.
Tez and I also attended an enlightening tree celebration that weekend. More than 100 people joined us at the Kelowna Tree Planting Festival in Rutland Centennial Park.
Co-hosted by the Kelowna Chinese United Association and the Uptown Rutland Business Association the afternoon event featured cultural performances, interactive booths and tree planting activities.
Two-hundred tree saplings were sold for $10 each.
One of the Kelowna Tree Planting Festival Committee participants summed up the afternoon best when she said, “This, event is more than just about buying or even planting trees – it’s about planting hope. The saplings planted today and the commitments pledged on our banner will grow into a legacy for future generations. As Kelowna celebrates its 120th anniversary and National Tree Day approaches, we pay tribute to a greener, sustainable future for our city.”
Launched in 2024 and initiated by Kelowna Chinese United Association, the Tree Planting Festival is held every fall to bring together residents, cultural groups, and businesses in promoting urban greening, cultural exchange and community well-being.
