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Stay Alert. Stay Ready. Stay Safe! ⚠️ As of 07:45hrs on Dec 11, 2025, a flood warning is in effect for the Tulameen and Similkameen River areas, along with a high flow advisory for all tributaries. ❗The Lower Similkameen Indian Band Virtual Emergency Operations Center has been Activated. LSIB Duty Officer Contact: dutyofficer@lsib.net A reminder, […]

The Government of B.C. has announced that confirmatory testing has shown the white-tailed deer sample taken east of Enderby is negative for Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD). Although the initial screening returned a “non-negative” result, follow-up testing by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency using three independent methods confirmed that no CWD was detected. Preventing the spread […]

Important Wildlife Update:  The province is currently investigating a potential case of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) in a white-tailed deer harvested east of Enderby. This marks the first possible detection in the Okanagan, and the first outside B.C.’s current CWD management zone in the Kootenay region. Hunters play a crucial role in B.C.’s CWD surveillance program. Without […]

Planting at the Okanagan Lake Fish Dam Passage Site! After years of planning, and months of sometimes challenging work, the new Okanagan Lake Fish Passage successfully allowed the 2025 salmon run free passage from sq̓awsitkʷ, Okanagan River, into their kɬúsx̌nítkʷ  , Okanagan Lake, historical spawning territory. As with most major construction we were left with a […]

A couple weeks ago, InfoNews sat down with ONA Fluvial Geomorphologist Zoë Eyjolfson to talk about the new Okanagan Lake Dam fish passage and the Riverwatcher technology our team installed.   Check out the feature and learn how this innovation is helping reconnect salmon and ecosystems along the Okanagan River!  Article: Watch as salmon, and […]

Check out this recent CBC news clip featuring ONA staff discussing the Okanagan Lake Dam fish passage. Fish Biologist Natasha Lukey and Cultural Facilitator Elliot Tonasket shared their perspectives on the project and its importance for the ntytyix (salmon), the environment, culture, connection, and future generations. To view full video click here: Salmon Warriors restore […]

As winter approaches, the Riverwatcher at the sq̓awsitkʷ Dam Passage has been temporarily removed for maintenance and cleaning and will be offline over the winter. It will be re-installed February 2026 and remain in place through to November 2026 for next year’s species’ migrations. We’ll let you know when it’s up and running again — […]

Last week, Chief y̓ilmixʷm Robert Louie and Councillor Tricia Brett, Co-Chairs of the Okanagan–Similkameen Collaborative Leadership Table, published an Op-Ed in the Kelowna Capital News highlighting the table’s vital work and its growing significance across the region. To read the full article click here: Creating watershed security through collaborative leadership | Kelowna Capital News The […]

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. […]

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 […]