Spotted Lake Controversy

Title

Spotted Lake Controversy

Description

Spotted Lake, also known as Lake Kliluk, is located in the Richter Pass between Osoyoos and Keremeos, British Columbia. The lake has one of the world's heaviest concentrations of mineral water and has been used for centuries for its healing qualities. It is held in reverence as a medicinal and spiritual lake. Controversy emerged over who should control use of the sacred lake when the Crown sold the lake to Ernest Smith who applied for re-zoning to turn Spotted Lake into a tourist attraction. On March 22, 1979 the Okanagan Tribal Council organized a demonstration to solicit public support for the postponement of Smith's rezoning application which was to be brought before the Regional District of the Okanagan and Similkameen.

Date

March 1979 – February 1980

Spatial Coverage

Lake Kliluk (B.C.)

Event subject

Demonstrations

Names

Smith, Ernest

Okanagan Tribal Council

Union of British Columbia Indian Chiefs

Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen (B.C.)

Related Item

Related articles appeared on pages 20 and 21 of UBCIC News vol. 10, no. 1 (March 1979), entitled "Spotted Lake: Father of All Medicine Lakes", and page 4 and 6 of Indian World vol. 2, no. 9 (February 1980), entitled "Preservation of Spotted Lake".

Identifier

Steveston Oil Spill (1977)