Positive Indigenous Story

Finally, something worth celebrating!
A positive indigenous story!
Especially these days which seem to be filled with blockades across the country.

A family-run indigenous winery in West Kelowna (formerly Westbank) is attracting international attention, according to Denise Ryan's story in The Province on February 24, 2020 (can't find the pertinent link).

Indigenous World Winery is the brainchild of Robert and Bernice Louie.

Sixty-eight year old Robert was the elected chief of the Westbank First Nation for 24 years.  His wife, Bernice is 48.  The two are the force behind the winery brand.  Descendants of the Syilx, the Indigenous first peoples of the Okanagan and Similkameen valleys, the couple have five children, two of whom work with them in the winery.

"I wanted to create a legacy for my family and for my people that promoted Indigenous culture, and honoured our ancestral stewardship of the land," said Louie.

They purchased their acreage eight years ago, started growing grapes and building the winery a year later.

They named their first signature Bordeaux varietal blend Simo -- and the 2014 vintage has won multiple awards, including double gold at the 2019 All Canadian Wine Championships, according to Denise Ryan's story.

The name "Simo" was given to Louie by his stemtema, or maternal grandmother.

Louie, who was born on the Westbank First Nation reserve in the Okanagan, started working in the fruit-picking industry at age five, and by the time he was a young teenager he was working with grapes.

Their wines are listed here.

He took time to earn a law degree at the University of Victoria, where he was the first Indigenous graduate of their law program and first Okanagan Syilx member to be called to the bar, and later served as councillor and elected chief, all the while "toying" with the dream of the Indigenous winery.

Louie's winemaker is Jason Parkes, whom he calls "the best in the industry".

Louie said he's been questioned by youth over his choice to go into the alcohol industry.

"They say 'why are you in it?' or 'how come you make booze and sell it to the people?'  My response is that booze is not bad if you take care with it and honour it:  this industry employs people, provides a livelihood, and helps the local economy."

The Indigenous World Winery welcomes visitors daily to their vineyards, where they also run the Red Fox club restaurant, featuring native cuisine and wine tastings.


Congratulations Robert and Bernice!