LISTEN | Full CBC Radio interview with Okanagan Indian Band Chief Dan Wilson

tx̌axetq̓enʔ (Tahaetkun Mountain), Syilx Okanagan Territory: The Okanagan Indian Band’s (OKIB) call for watershed protection has received strong support from First Nations leadership across the province.

OKIB’s resolution to protect Syilx watersheds received unanimous support at the recent UBCIC Annual General Assembly. This decision reinforces our shared responsibility to protect Browns Creek and Whiteman Creek for our people and future generations. Resolution no. 2025-63: Opposition to Mining in Okanagan Indian Band Watersheds and Protection of syilx Water, Salmon, and Sacred Sites calls for the protection of the Browns Creek and Whiteman Creek watersheds from proposed mining activity by Ximen Mining Corporation.

“Water is life. It sustains everything around us and connects us to the generations before and after our own,” said OKIB Chief Dan Wilson.

“The decision by the UBCIC to support this resolution shows that First Nations across the province stand together in defense of our lands and waters. This is about protecting the health of our people, our salmon, and our future.”

UBCIC and OKIB Joint Statement RE: Opposition to Mining in OKIB Watersheds and Protection of Syilx Water, Salmon, and Sacred Sites

READ | Full Article on IndigiNews

READ | Full Article on Castanet

READ | Full Article on Vernon Matters

READ | Full Article on National Indigenous Times

“We are the unconquered aboriginal people of this land, our mother; The creator has given us our mother, to enjoy, to manage and to protect; we, the first inhabitants, have lived with our mother from time immemorial; our Okanagan governments have allowed us to share equally in the resources of our mother; we have never given up our rights to our mother, our mother’s resources, our governments and our religion; we will survive and continue to govern our mother and her resources for the good of all for all time.” – Okanagan Nation Declaration, 1987

 

 

 

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The Okanagan Nation Alliance (ONA) is pleased to announce the addition of the Women Uplifting Women Leadership Award, to our Building a Better Future Bursary Program for Syilx Nation Members. This additional $3000 Bursary gifted by Syilx community member Buffy Mills, recognizes Syilx women who demonstrate leadership, uplift other women, and create positive change within […]

SYILX OKANAGAN NATION TERRITORY – The Chiefs Executive Council of the Okanagan Nation Alliance is endorsing calls from the First Nations Leadership Council, for OneBC MLA, Dallas Brodie, to resign immediately. Brodie stands accused of using public funds, inside and outside the BC legislature, to create and distribute racist and anti-Indigenous materials, including a recent […]

‘This means a lot, putting Kelowna on the map,’ says Westbank First Nation chief Reported by Sheena Goodyear · CBC Radio · Nov 04, 2025 The United Nations has officially recognized Kelowna, B.C., as a terrific place to eat and drink. The picturesque lakeside city in Okanagan Valley has been designated a Creative City of Gastronomy by the United Nations […]

Casey Richardson’s Castanet article highlights ONA’s ongoing salmon restoration efforts and features insights from Ryan Benson, a fisheries biologist with ONA. Benson notes that while this year’s sockeye salmon run is only a fraction of last year’s record numbers, the continued progress remains a reason to celebrate. CLICK HERE TO READ THE FULL ARTICLE: Lower […]

IndigiNews recently published a feature highlighting ONA’s stunx (beaver) mimicry initiative—a restoration project that seeks to bring back the ecological and cultural benefits of beavers to Syilx territory.  Check out the article HERE: People are imitating beavers to help them return – Indiginews  For more information about ONA’s beaver mimicry project click HERE: Coteay Creek […]

SYILX OKANAGAN NATION TERRITORY: Chiefs of the Syilx Okanagan Nation are aware of the recent developments regarding the proposed ostrich cull at Universal Ostrich Farms Inc., in Syilx Okanagan Nation Territory, including the interim stay issued by the Supreme Court of Canada. The Nation does not take a position on the ostrich cull itself. As […]

ARROW LAKES – SYILX OKANAGAN NATION TERRITORY: Chief Clarence Louie, Tribal Chair of the Chiefs Executive Council (CEC) of the Syilx Okanagan Nation issued the following statement in response to legal challenges filed against the BC government, over transborder consultation, by the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation: “As Rights and Title holders, and as the […]

Urgent Meeting Requested About Drought Levels in the Okanagan and Similkameen by Syilx Chiefs Executive Council with Honourable Randene Neill, Minister of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship. 

After years of dedication, advocacy, planning, and overcoming countless challenges, this milestone stands as a testament to the strength and perseverance of the Syilx Nation and all those committed to restoring our ecosystems. Yesterday morning, over 200 people joined us to witness this historic moment. For the first time in generations, salmon now have permanent, […]

snpintktn (Penticton): After years of hard work, advocacy, planning, and now successful implementation while overcoming challenges, the new Okanagan Dam Fish Passage is about to open! The water will be released and permanently flowing, providing salmon unimpeded access from Okanagan River into their Okanagan Lake historical spawning habitat. The Okanagan Nation Alliance (ONA) invites you […]

The ability of Syilx students to access post-secondary education is central to our Nation moving forward and our voices being heard. This year the Okanagan Nation Alliance, Fortis BC and EMB Management Ltd. provided a total of 10 awards to financially support eligible Syilx Okanagan Nation students. The Building a Better Future Bursary has been […]

SYILX OKANAGAN NATION: Okanagan Nation Alliance (ONA) Fisheries Team are raising concerns over the 2025 return of sc̓win (sockeye salmon) as numbers are tracking far below forecasts, and a thermal barrier in the Okanogan River has halted their migration home. As a result, the ONA will not be coordinating a harvest for community distribution, or […]

snpintktn (Penticton): Construction on the Okanagan Lake Dam near Riverside Drive has been delayed due to unexpected challenges. Originally set to conclude by the end of June, the removal of historic dam materials from 1928, including creosote-treated timbers and buried concrete slabs, has resulted in a two-week extension for the construction project. As a result, […]

 snpnk’tn, syilx Okanagan Territory/Penticton, BC – The syilx Okanagan Nation Chiefs Executive Council expresses unwavering support for the Penticton Indian Band (PIB) and its leadership in the wake of recent statements made by MLAs Tara Armstrong, Jordan Kealy, and Dallas Brodie. These statements dangerously mischaracterize First Nations sovereignty, equating it with unrelated political issues and […]

The Building a Better Future Bursary is an initiative by the Okanagan Nation Alliance (ONA) aimed at supporting Syilx Okanagan Nation members in their educational pursuits. Established in 2009, this program offers financial assistance to both high school graduates and post-secondary students who demonstrate dedication, leadership, and community involvement. High School Bursaries (2024/25) For students […]

snpinktn (Penticton), British Columbia — The Okanagan Nation Alliance (ONA) proudly launches the 21st Annual Fry Release Ceremonies at Skaha Lake East Marina, highlighting over two decades of salmon restoration leadership and Syilx cultural revitalization. This year marks significant growth in community engagement, with over 64 schools from both the Okanagan and Upper Columbia participating […]

(Unceded Syilx Okanagan Territory: Kelowna, BC) – The Chiefs of the Syilx Okanagan Nation express profound disappointment and condemnation regarding the recent legal action initiated by a group of professors from both the University of British Columbia’s Okanagan and Vancouver campuses. This lawsuit challenges the university’s acknowledgment of residing on unceded First Nations land, including […]

Largest Indigenous Youth Sports Gathering in British Columbia’s History Celebrates Culture, Athletics, and Community Kelowna, BC – The Syilx Okanagan Nation proudly hosted the largest Indigenous youth sports gathering in British Columbia’s history this past week, as the Jr. All Native Tournament (JANT) took place in Kelowna, BC, from March 16th to March 21st. This […]

Healthy Bodies, Healthy Minds: Join Us at OKM Secondary School for a Week of Wellness Toolkit and Resource Guide Here Okanagan Mission Secondary School, Kelowna, BC – Syilx Basketball and the Jr. All Native Tournament are excited to invite athletes, parents, coaches, and spectators to the Pathways to Wellness Fair this Tuesday and Wednesday, March […]

kiɁlawnaɁ (Kelowna), British Columbia– Get ready for one of the largest and most anticipated basketball tournaments in Canada – the Jr. All Native Tournament (JANT) – which kicks off in Kelowna, B.C. this Sunday, March 16th, at 2:00 PM for Opening Ceremonies at UBC Okanagan. With over 110 teams and more than 1200 youth from […]

Syilx Okanagan Territory: The Chiefs Executive Council is angered by the harmful comments by MLA Dallas Brodie (Vancouver-Quilchena) and her blatant racism towards survivors of Indian residential schools. These comments are insulting and traumatizing to our Elders, survivors, and families. We are distressed about how these comments infiltrate all levels of government and are further […]

Penticton, BC – March 7, 2025 – The salmon are returning home. On March 7th, the Syilx people and partners celebrated a historic groundbreaking ceremony for the East Salmon Passage at Okanagan Lake Dam. This long-awaited project marks the first time in generations that Indigenous salmonids will be able to pass freely into Okanagan Lake, […]

snpink’tn (Penticton British Columbia), Syilx Territory: The Chiefs of the Syilx Okanagan Nation stand united in their condemnation of Donald Ashley, the grievous harms he caused to Syilx Nation women while under the guise of a medicine man, and the utter lack of justice served on Mr. Ashley by the Canadian legal system. “Our Nation […]

Since time immemorial, yilíkʷlxkn have been integral to the Syilx people. They symbolize a deep, interdependent relationship with the tmxʷulaxʷ (land). The ONA has undertaken numerous initiatives to monitor and protect the bighorn sheep herds in the territory from disease outbreaks and is working to improve habitat connectivity. We are currently monitoring and managing diseases […]

Way’ to all our relatives, Many of you have seen Facebook posts from supporters of the “Sinixt Confederacy,” claiming Chiefs of the Syilx Okanagan Nation and the Okanagan Nation Alliance (ONA) are telling stakeholders in the Arrow Lakes to stop telling Sinixt stories, that we have called for the border to be shut to Sinixt […]

Snpink’tn, Penticton, Syilx Territory: Today, at a historic gathering, Chiefs of the Syilx Nation, Mayors, councillors and Regional Districts representatives signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) to protect siwɬkʷ, water.  The Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) is the first time that elected leaders from the Syilx Nation and Local Governments have come together to discuss issues of […]

UPDATE: Due to a funeral for a Syilx elder, we are respectfully changing the venue and start time. snpink’tn, Penticton, Syilx Territory: In a groundbreaking move for Syilx-led environmental stewardship, Syilx Chiefs, Mayors, Regional District Chairs and Councillors of the Syilx Nation and local governments from the Okanagan and Similkameen Watersheds are coming together in […]

Statement by Okanagan Nation Alliance on Racist Public Comments by BC Conservative Candidate for Juan de Fuca-Malahat Nation calls on BC Conservative leader John Rustad to take an immediate stand against hate and racism in his party, by ejecting Marina Sapozhnikov. SYILX OKANAGAN NATION TERRITORY – (Oct. 28, 2024) – Chief Clarence Louie, Tribal Chair […]