syilx elders in need of support after fire destroys home | iNFOnews | Thompson-Okanagan's News Source
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syilx elders in need of support after fire destroys home

A fire destroyed Wilma and Jimmy Paul's home on Okanagan Indian Band land, Feb. 2, 2022.
Image Credit: GoFundMe

An Okanagan Indian Band family is focused on rebuilding after their house was destroyed by fire this week.

Wilma and Jimmy Paul, along with their nephew, lost their house and possessions, including family artifacts and history, in a fire Feb. 22.

Their house, which they built in 1986, was not insured and the Okanagan Indian Band is pleading to the community for donations to help support the well-respected local family.

“After all that our members and indeed everyone has gone through over the past few years, this is a major tragedy for the community,” Byron Louis, Okanagan Indian Band Chief, said in a news release.

“Wildfire, the pandemic, possible flooding, and now a family is beset by this tragic event. In true Syilx spirit, I know that many members, the extended community, and the business community at large will want to help out.”

An online fundraiser has been launched to support the family as they attempt to rebuild from their home's ashes.

The band asks that physical donations be restricted in order to limit storage needs. Band liaison Grant Louis is facilitating donations for the family and will be accepting gift cards for food, clothing and gas. He can be reached at 250-306-7179.

Wilma and Jimmy are known as generous, kind and loving in the community whose home was a welcoming place to many, according to the band.

The online fundraiser for the Paul family can be found here.


To contact a reporter for this story, email Levi Landry or call 250-819-3723 or email the editor. You can also submit photos, videos or news tips to the newsroom and be entered to win a monthly prize draw.

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