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, the eastern dike access, Penticton Rose Gardens, and the northern portion of the Loco Landing parking lot will remain closed to public access until mid-July.

Our crew is working diligently to stay as close to the original timeline as possible but currently we anticipate project completion by mid-July. Updated signage and notifications will be provided as work progresses.

Please note Loco Landing remains open to the public, along with the walking and biking detour path established on the western side of the channel. We thank the public and local businesses for their patience and support during construction. In particular, we extend our sincere appreciation to Loco Landing for their collaboration and understanding. The park remains open and vibrant, and additional parking will become available as construction winds down.

The Okanagan Lake Dam East Salmon Passage will restore upstream access for migrating salmon, reconnecting them to their historical and ancestral spawning grounds in Okanagan Lake for the first time in decades.

For the Syilx Okanagan people, this project represents more than just infrastructure. It is a cultural reconnection to tmixʷ (all living things) and tmxʷulaxʷ (the land) — a reflection of deep responsibilities and relationships. Salmon, or ntytyix, are sacred to the Syilx people. They are considered relatives, not resources, and their return marks a powerful act of environmental and cultural healing. Wildlife and shoreline vegetation continue to thrive around the project site, with regular sightings of c̓ris (kingfishers), sʕanixʷ (muskrats), stunx (beavers), pəql̓qin (bald eagles), c̓ixʷc̓əxʷ (ospreys), and sk̓ʷʕas (great blue herons), reflecting the resilience of the ecosystem and the importance of this work.

The project team is also preparing for a fall planting phase to restore native shoreline vegetation. Community members will be invited to participate in the planting of Indigenous trees and shrubs.

Soon, the public will be able to witness salmon making their return journey home through Syilx territory — a vision long held and now close to becoming reality.

Construction Deadline Extended for Okanagan Lake Dam East Salmon Passage

Extended Construction Notice

For More Information Contact:

Lee McFadyen, Project Outreach Coordinator, Mariposa Consulting

E: mariposaorgf@hotmail.com

T: 250-499-5404

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 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 […]

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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 […]

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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 […]

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B.C. faces potential transborder claims by U.S. Indigenous citizens across the province. Author of the article: Chief Robert Louie for Vancouver Sun Prioritizing B.C. First Nations is the legally and morally right thing to do. It supports local economies and helps fight rural economic disparities. Should a U.S.-based tribe that already receives hundreds of millions […]

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snpinktn (Penticton), Syilx Territory — September 30, 2024 On a sunny Monday of reflection and healing, approximately 500 participants including the Syilx survivors, elders, nation members, local leaders, and allies gathered in snpinktn, Penticton to commemorate the children who never returned home from Indian residential schools and celebrated the resilience of survivors and their families […]

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On July 11th, the Okanagan Nation Alliance (ONA), with our Bringing the Salmon Home: The Columbia River Salmon Reintroduction Initiative (CRSRI) partners, Ktunaxa Nation Council (KNC), Secwépemc Nation, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, and the BC Ministry of Water Land and Resource Stewardship released 16 adult sc’win (sockeye salmon) to the Arrow Lakes. These salmon were […]

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