MOU signing (Image Credit: CFJC Today)

By Michael Reeve

Memorandum of Understanding

TNRD, Neskonlith put pen to paper on memorandum of understanding

Dec 18, 2025 | 4:28 PM

KAMLOOPS — The Thompson Nicola Regional District (TNRD) and Neskonlith Indian Band have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).

It’s the fourth MOU that the regional district has signed in recent years with area First Nations. Board Chair Barbara Roden believes the MOU is a starting point for more open conversation in pursuit of betterment for everybody in the region.

“What are the challenges we are facing? What are some common goals? What are some common objectives and how can we work together to achieve that?” said Roden. “The MOU is not a finish line. I think it’s the start of another race altogether where we are partners and we are working together and we have committed now to working together, so we can be held accountable.”

“This Memorandum of Understanding recognizes the desire of both the TNRD and the Neskonlith Indian Band to develop a positive and ongoing relationship, encourage communication and work together on shared interests,” added Roden. “The TNRD board of directors is continuing to focus on building partnerships with our many neighbouring First Nations and we look forward to working with Neskonlith to address common challenges and create shared opportunities for the region.”

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Neskonlith Kukpi7 Irvin Wai called the signing the culmination of years of hard work. The Neskonlith band covers land east of Kamloops near Chase and Salmon Arm. The community hopes the MOU will bring the region together and not simply be words on paper that aren’t acted upon.

“We want to make sure we all look after each other. We are all Canadians — or Turtle Islanders, if you want to use that term,” said Wai. “But we all live on this beautiful territory together and it’s up to us to make sure we look after it, we maintain it and we work together to preserve future generations enjoyment of what we have had enjoyed so far.”

“The signing of this Memorandum of Understanding represents an important step forward in strengthening the collaboration between Neskonlith Indian Band and the TNRD,” added Wai. “This agreement reflects our shared commitment to have respectful government-to-government relations, to have open communication, and for us to be working together in the best interest of our communities – now and into the future.”