Published: October 2, 2025
Four of Upper Nicola Band’s capital projects were recently featured on UNB Live, the Band’s podcast and video news magazine for band members.
Facilitated by broadcaster and Upper Nicola Band (UNB) Lead Consultant, Bob Price, and UNB Communications Officer, Diana Boston, the recorded interview explored how Upper Nicola Band is building for the future through four different capital projects. Alongside Peyton McRae, UNB’s Director of Community Services, McElhanney’s Ashley Phillips and Lee Peltz offered project updates on the Quilchena Community Centre, Nicola / Michelle Road upgrade, Spahomin Water Treatment Plant, and Quilchena Firehall.
The video news magazine format is a new and innovative way to communicate project information to a community. According to the band, UNB Live is part of UNB’s effort to be “the most communicative and transparent First Nation in all of Canada.”
“First Nations projects are often very heavily influenced by the community members themselves, and it is important to ensure that the community is aware of the benefits of these projects as well as the short-term disruptions,” says civil engineer Lee Peltz. “According to Bob Price, UNB is the first First Nations group in Canada to use this format to try and get this type of information out to the community.”
McElhanney has worked with Upper Nicola Band since the mid-nineties and has supported over 25 projects since 2015 alone. The Quilchena Community Centre, Nicola / Michelle Road upgrade, Spahomin Water Treatment Plant, and Quilchena Firehall projects further UNB efforts to improve the lives of community members into the future.
Learn more project details by watching the full episode 26 recording here, on Upper Nicola Band’s YouTube channel.