B.C. city gives Ogopogo copyright to First Nation after cultural appropriation concerns

UPDATE Oct. 17, 2021:Thelegal rights to Ogopogohave now been transferred to the Okanagan Nation Alliance. Vernon city council voted unanimouslyto assign the rights to the alliance, six months after their first vote to relinquish copyright.

EARLIER STORY:

The City of Vernon, B.C., has given up the copyright toa mythical creature's name and transferred it to the Syilx Nation,following criticism of cultural appropriation from Indigenous communities.

Last Monday, city council passed a motion by a 4-3 vote to relinquish the right of assigning who can use the name of Ogopogo. The copyright was given to the city in July 1956 from previous copyright holder A.G.Seabrook.

The name Ogopogo is a gibberish word derived from n xaxaitkin the the Syilx language pronounced "n-ha-ha-it-koo" meaning "something in the water," according to Chief Byron Louisof the Okanagan Indian Band, one of theseven communities of the Syilx Nation in B.C.

Louis says the mythical animal is believed to inhabit Okanagan Lake.

He says Indigenous communities had a flurry of conversations earlierthis monthquestioning why Vernon city council gave permission to a local author to use the Ogopogo name in his new book.

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Louis says the Ogopogo'sname and story carry religious meaning to the Syilx Nation.

"[For] someone else to actually say that 'I can actually own that [Ogopogo name] through my laws,' that is cultural appropriation," Louis said Monday to Dominika Lirette, the guest host of CBC's Daybreak South.

Mayor Victor Cumming declined CBC's request for comment, saying he cannot disclose any information about the vote that was done in a closed-door council meeting.

UnderB.C. governmentregulations, local governments may close their meetings to the public undercertain circumstances, such asreceiving legal advice on issues that impactthe municipality.

In a written statement to CBC News, Coun. Akbal Mund who voted in favour of transferring the Ogopogo copyright to the Syilx Nation said the City of Vernon has never gained any monetary benefits from the copyright.

Louis says he commends the city's decision to give the copyright to the Syilx Nation, and he will work with elders and knowledge holders on how to appropriately use the intellectual property.

Tap the link below to hear Chief Byron Louis on Daybreak South: