Louie has been the chief of the Osoyoos Indian Band in British Columbia's Okanagan for ten terms, the first beginning in 1985.

[1] Due to high unemployment, many adults in the community had to work as transient labourers on fruit orchards in nearby Washington state.

[1] Through the corporation's efforts, the previously impoverished band started or acquired nine businesses, including tourism, construction, and recreation companies.

A high-profile business started by the OIBDC during Louie's tenure is Nk'Mip Cellars, the first aboriginal-owned winery in North America.

[1] In 2003, Louie was chosen by the U.S. Department of State as one of six Canadian First Nations leaders to review economic development in American Indian communities.