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 your participation, the level of monitoring and response needed to track this disease wouldn’t be possible.

We’re encouraging everyone to continue submitting samples from deer, elk, and moose harvested anywhere in B.C. Your samples help us understand where the disease may be present.

If you’re hunting in or around this region, we strongly urge getting your animals tested.

The ONA is here to support all Nation members with drop-off locations in Westbank, Penticton, and Castlegar.

Read the full Statement from the Government of British Columbia: BC Gov News

More information on CWD and Syilx-led Drop-off Location found here: Prevent the Spread: Chronic Wasting Disease – Okanagan Nation Alliance

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 considerable amount of bare soil, some was seeded to grass earlier in the fall. On November 7^th and 8^th, as promised post-construction, with the help of 220 volunteers including students from four schools, the Penticton scouts, various groups, Syilx Nation members and the public at large, we planted at least 500 native species. The volunteers collectively worked hard to get Saskatoon, willow, snowberry, thimbleberry, mock Orange, birchleaf spirea, rose, Oregon grape, hawthorn, and chokecherry shrubs into the ground.  The earlier planting of willows and cottonwoods along the lake shore quickly rooted, leafed out and are now dormant. In the years to come, new plantings will receive irrigation when soil moisture, and temperatures dictate the need. The volunteers took part in more than just the planting they received an overview of the many ONA led fish and wildlife enhancement projects along the Okanagan River and a tour of the passage project.

The ONA team is truly grateful for all the volunteers that came out to lend a hand and the planting funding provided by TD Friends of the Environment and the donation from the Okanagan Similkameen Conservation Alliance.  The benefits of this funding will be seen well into the future as we watch these plants grow and form mini habitats along the passageway.

The Okanagan Nation Alliance Okanagan Fish Passage Project, which is part of the kł cp̓əlk̓ stim̓ (cause to come back) initiative was funded by Chelan PUD’s Habitat Conservation Plan Rock Island Tributary Committee, Douglas PUD’s Habitat Conservation Plan Wells Tributary Committee and Grant PUD’s Habitat Subcommittee of the Priest Rapids Coordinating Committee. Project partners included the Penticton Indian Band, City of Penticton, Ministry of Water, Lands and Resource Stewardship, and Fisheries and Oceans Canada. Thank you to our funders and partners for making this project possible.

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 spawning grounds as sockeye return to Okanagan | CBC.ca

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 Collaborative Leadership Table (CLT) brings together 30 representatives from Syilx communities, municipalities, and regional districts to speak with one unified regional voice on siwɬkʷ (water) policy. Grounded in trust and respect, the CLT works collectively to advance Syilx-led water priorities at provincial and federal levels and protect and restore the Okanagan and Similkameen watersheds for future generations to come.

To learn more about the CLT click here: Okanagan Similkameen Collaborative Leadership Table – Okanagan Nation Alliance

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 their communities.

“I created this award because I want to be the kind of woman who creates the change I wish to see in our community,” says Mills. “This bursary is for Syilx women who lead from the heart—who lift other women up, who walk with courage, and who make space for others to shine. You don’t need a title to be a leader. You just need the fire to rise—and the generosity to take others with you. If that’s you, I see you. I believe in you. This is for you.”

ONA extends its sincere thanks to Mills for founding and supporting this award, whose vision and generosity make it possible to celebrate and empower Syilx women. This initiative reflects ONA’s ongoing commitment to recognize student perseverance and achievement to encourage our members to continue their educational pursuits.

The award is open to Syilx women enrolled in any post-secondary program, and at any stage of their educational journey. Building a Better Future applications will open in mid-April 2026 and close in early June 2026. The recipient will be announced at the ONA Annual General Assembly on July 22, 2026, hosted this year by Lower Similkameen Indian Band, Member Band, Syilx.

For more information on our Building a Better Future Bursary Program visit: https://syilx.org/about-us/operations/building-a-better-future-bursary/

For More Information Contact:

Dorothy Harrower, Communications Coordinator

E dharrower@syilx.org

T 250-707-0095 ext. 123

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 stunx (Beaver) Dam Analogue – Okanagan Nation Alliance