REZ13 - ideas into action
The REZ13 team for concept development
Jonathan Kruger
DIRECTOR OF INDIGENOUS RELATIONS WESTERN CANADA AT SODEXO. FORMER CHIEF OF PENTICTON INDIAN BAND.
Since March of 2017 Jonathan Kruger has held the position of Director of Indigenous Relations for Canada at Sodexo. Since the territories have been split up - he now holds the position for Western Canada.
In the past Kruger was elected Chief of the Penticton Indian Band (PIB) for two terms from 2008-2016. He previously served on PIB Council from 2000 – 2008. Jonathan has been widely-recognized for his leadership and business achievements. He began his leadership on the platform of creating a Comprehensive Community Plan and a Land Use Plan. This CCP became the voice and of the community and vision for direction of his leadership. The success of PIB’s Comprehensive Community Planning (CCP) lead Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC) to choose Jonathan to champion and provide mentorship to other first nations working on CCP projects.
Early on in his leadership he advocated separating business from politics in 2008 and was a proponent in the creation of the Penticton Indian Band Economic Development Corporation. He created a business-friendly environment opening PIB and Certificate of Possession (CP) holders up for business opportunities.
Jonathan worked with his Council and staff to develop Laws, by-Laws and Policies for the Penticton Indian Band. He successfully completed negotiations with Federal, Provincial governments, Municipal and Regional Districts.
Jonathan spearheaded the signing of a Protocol Agreement between the Regional District South Okanagan Similikameen and Penticton Indian Band, Osoyoos Indian Band and Lower Similkameen Indian Band. As well he worked with Okanagan Nation Chiefs to create a Syilx Unity Protocol to work with companies and governments on Nature Resources referrals consultation process.
He loves being on the land in his territory and believes in the Okanagan Nation Declaration “for the good of all, for all time.”
Jonathan’s specialties: Business. Business Development. Tourism Development.
Jonathan Kruger Penticton Indian Band
Whitney Cardenas
HORSE ‘WRANGLER’/FIREFIGHTER
Whitney is a Penticton Indian Band member. Self described as an “Indigenous creature, with a lil bit of spice” - her heritage includes Mexican DNA.
She is a horse wrangler who as she says, rather than whispering to horses, she listens. This dynamic gal is an integral part of the Penticton Indian Band firefighting team who boldly goes where many men would fear to.
When it comes to horses Whitney has integrated much of what she has learned from her uncles all of whom are well-known Penticton Indian band horsemen.
Whitney is keenly aware of the importance of diversity in the natural environment on the 46,000 acres of PIB land. This is one of the reasons the feral horses need to be kept in check.
Whitney will be appearing in the upcoming film ‘If Wishes Were Horses” produced out of L.A. by Eva Cohen.
More to come on the equine business that Whitney is looking to put together on the PIB lands…
Whitney’s specialties: Fire. Training Horses.
Filming begins September 2024…
Sept 6, 2024
In the fall of 2024 we will be filming for our Horse Culture as Medicine documentary.
The goal behind the documentary is to show the inherent value that horses can have in healing for people who have either directly experienced trauma in their lives or those who have inherited it through intergenerational trauma.
According to the Washington Post, “Intergenerational trauma can stem from biology, learned behaviors and even the collective experiences of a group. Some research suggests that trauma can affect a person's DNA and potentially influence the health of future generations far removed from the traumatic event.”
Horse Culture as Medicine will have several main characters each of whom are experienced in dealing with horses, teaching others how to ride or train horses, and who also deal with horses as a means to helping youth achieve confidence, discipline, and self-esteem.
Part of the documentary will focus on a value-added approach of training feral horses at risk of being sold “by the pound.”
Stay tuned for more details, clips and photos as we progress in filming.
