b'INTEGRATED PROJECT DELIVERYThe groundbreaking ceremony for the Okanagan Indian Band water upgrade projecthandled in an about you without youWATER ISSUESprocess, Provost says. Its not great toThe Syilx and Secwpemc Peoples have have conversations without some stake- lived in the idyllic hills of the Okanagan holders present. Valley for thousands of years, and OKIB currently spans over 10,000 hectares of The IPD contract model, on the other hand,reserve land across six reserves in the allows all participants to voice concerns,North Okanagan. More than 2,000 people express ideas and pursue comprehensivecall the Nation home. multi-party agreements. Advocates say it incentivizes and promotes clear and effec- The Okanagan Valley is renowned for its tive communication with different playersfreshwater lakes that are a holiday desti-accountable to an entire team.nation for thousands of Canadians. It also IPD is not a new concept globally; its beenprovides drinking water for tens of thou-around since the 1970s in countries likesands more. Updated water infrastructure Australia, where it is called an Alliance critically neededwill help keep up with Agreement. However, Canada has beendemand. Many consider the upgrade long slow to adopt it for government-fundedoverdue. The existing water facility has projects, opting instead to take an If itsnot had updates in 30 years, so it really contractor(BirdConstruction)andnot broken, dont fix it approach. Now,is a monumental moment, says Jolene subcontractorstogetherinatrulyall that is changing, and the impact onVincent, OKIBs director of public works collaborative partnership. First Nation communities will be profound. and housing. IPD is a construction project delivery methodthatinvolvesallpartners throughout every stage of a construction projectdesign, planning and construc-tion. It brings together the founder, owner,ENGAGING WITH INDIGENOUS GROUPS contractor and subcontractors in meetings where all partners can have their say andIN THE LOWER MAINLAND build efficient workflow. It also allows forAND THROUGHOUT BCother stakeholders, like private investors and private equity lenders, to participate in the process as well. The Okanagan water project is the first IPD project on a First Nation commu-nity with federal government funding. It signals Ottawas willingness to look at new, transformative ways of working with First Nations on major infrastructure projects. For Bird Construction, it represents a break Indigenous Artwork Stamped Concreteaway from more conventional top-downVancouver Fraser Port Authority approaches to construction contracts.Mountain Highway Underpass Project[Traditionally], these projects would be Aboriginal BUSINESS REPORT63'