Welcome to our tmxʷulaxʷ in the Arrow Lakes

The Sinixt people have always been part of the Syilx Okanagan Nation.
One Language. One Land. One Culture. One People.

The Syilx Okanagan, including the Sinixt, are nsyilxcәn-speaking people and we have always been—and always will be—united by our common nsyilxcәn language, our tmxʷulaxʷ (land,) and our sqixʷɬcaʷt (culture).

The Syilx Okanagan Nation, as represented by the Chiefs Executive Council, is the representative and successor group for the Sinixt in Canada.

The story of the historical denial and alleged “extinction” of the Sinixt is tragic, but it should not be used to exclude the Syilx Okanagan Nation from our Territory or deny the identity of Syilx Okanagan peoples in Canada who are of Sinixt descent.

For a full account of these concerns, please read Chief Robert Louie’s Opinion Editorial for the Vancouver Sun.

To help you better understand our story and your role in reconciliation, we have produced a series of short educational backgrounders with guidelines for different audiences

Getting the Story Right: Sinixt people are part of the Syilx Okanagan Nation (for media and influencers)

Duty to Consult & Accommodate the Syilx Okanagan Nation in the Arrow Lakes (for governments and industry)

How to Be a Good Ally to Sinixt People and the Syilx Okanagan Nation (for allies)

How to Share Syilx-Sinixt Stories, Culture and History Appropriately (for educational and cultural institutions)

If you have questions about these guides, or about Syilx/Sinixt culture and history, please contact our nation directly.

Sincerely,
Chiefs Executive Council, Okanagan Nation Alliance

Reconciliation requires taking the time to truly understand the Territory, culture and history of Nations—including the impacts of colonization and resulting complexities.