Right area, wrong message.
After raising some eyebrows, a sign recently placed by the Adams Lake Indian Band at the intersection of Highway 1 and 10th Street SE, across from the Village West Plaza, will be coming down. The sign advises you that you are entering the band's private property and warns that trespassing, parking and camping are strictly prohibited.
Band lands manager Sarina Hardisty said the sign was put up in error and that it is to be removed.
"We had asked our public works to take it down yesterday as soon as they could," said Hardisty on Wednesday morning, Sept. 3. "We will be putting up another sign just stating that you are now on the Adams Lake Indian Band reserve.
Hardisty said she had spoken with the operators of the adjacent commercial properties, Village West Developments, and that the band will be coordinating with them on where the new sign will go.
In a Sept. 3 email to the Observer, Village West Developments said it had seen the sign and understood it may have caused some confusion.
"The Village West Plaza and all businesses within the plaza remain open and operating as usual. We are in contact with the Band to ensure clarity for our customers, and we greatly appreciate their continued support."
Of the replacement sign, Hardisty said it's to let people know they are on reserve land and what that can mean for the local businesses and First Nations employees.
"When people do apply for a job there, they don’t always know they can get a tax exemption when they are First Nations," said Hardisty.