(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 Syilx Okanagan territory—a fact that is both historically and legally recognized.

The petition, filed in the B.C. Supreme Court, alleges that UBC’s statements acknowledging unceded First Nations territory are political and infringe upon academic freedom. The professors involved seek to prohibit the university from making such acknowledgments, arguing that they compel conformity to specific political beliefs.

Chief Clarence Louie, Chair of the Chiefs Executive Council (CEC), stated that, “The recognition of unceded Syilx Okanagan land is not a political maneuver; it is an acknowledgment of historical truths and legal realities. Attempts to silence these acknowledgments are attempts to erase Syilx Okanagan presence and rights.”

Chief Robert Louie of the Westbank First Nation also added that, “Academic Educational institutions have a duty to foster environments of truth and reconciliation. Challenging the acknowledgment of unceded Syilx Okanagan territories undermines this duty and disrespects the Syilx Okanagan communities whose lands these institutions occupy.”

The Syilx Okanagan Nation emphasizes that land acknowledgments are essential steps toward reconciliation and education about Canada’s colonial history. Such acknowledgments align with the 2015 Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s 94 Calls to Action, urging educational institutions to integrate First Nations knowledge and perspectives.

UBC’s approach is also in line with the commitments made by both the Government of Canada and the Province of British Columbia to implement the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP). These commitments include recognizing the rights of First Nations to their lands, territories, and resources, and affirming the necessity of free, prior, and informed consent in decisions that affect them. Recognizing unceded territory is a foundational expression of these principles.

As part of advancing this work, UBC has adopted internal frameworks—such as the Strategic Equity and Anti-Racism (StEAR) Framework—that prioritize decolonization, inclusion, and the integration of First Nations perspectives. The StEAR Framework supports the university’s responsibility to create learning environments grounded in truth, equity, and respect for the First Peoples of these lands.

The Chiefs call upon UBC to steadfastly uphold its commitment to truth and reconciliation by continuing to acknowledge the unceded territories of the Syilx and other First Nations peoples, and to reject any attempts that aim to diminish First Nations rights and histories.

Syilx Okanagan Nation Chiefs Condemn UBC Professors’ Legal Challenge to First Nations’ Land Acknowledgments

Media Contacts:

• y̓ilmixʷm ki law na Clarence Louie, ONA xaʔtus – 250-498-9132
• y̓il̓mixʷm Robert Louie, Westbank First Nation – rlouie@wfn.ca

April 10, 2025: Daybreak South with Chris Walker – Interview with Chief Robert Louie

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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 year’s tournament saw 113 teams from over 100 First Nations communities across the province, making it the largest youth tournament ever held in the region. With a total of 278 games played across seven divisions, the event highlighted the incredible athleticism, passion, and cultural pride of Indigenous youth athletes.

The Jr. All Native Tournament has been a cornerstone event for over 40 years, uniting young athletes from First Nations communities to celebrate basketball and the values of sportsmanship, culture, and community. This year’s tournament marked several milestones, including the first-ever addition of a U10 division, an exciting move that introduces younger players to the competitive spirit of the event. Additionally, the U13 division, which was reintroduced in 2017, continues to thrive, while the U17 division showcased the highest level of competition, with players aspiring to one day play at the collegiate level.

This year’s event was more than just a basketball tournament; it was a celebration of Indigenous culture and community. The gyms were packed with fans and families who came to support their athletes. The energy was palpable as players aged 6 to 17 competed with passion, and the atmosphere was filled with excitement, love, and inspiration.

The U17 Boys division saw the Vancouver Van City Warriors claim first place, followed by Lax Kw’alaams, Strike Force in second, and Ts’ap, Prince Rupert in third. In the U17 Girls division, the Nuxalk Nation, At’maakw Jr. Girls secured a historic third consecutive championship victory (3-peat champions), with the Vancouver Panthers, Van City finishing second and the Port Alberni Tseshaht Pride rounding out the top three.

The U13 divisions were filled with fierce competition. In the U13 Gold Girls division, the Snuneymuxw Islanders took first place, while the Prince Rupert Coastal Pride claimed the top spot in the U13 Gold Boys division. The Maaqtusiis Suns won the U13 Silver Girls, and the Xa’Isla team triumphed in the U13 Silver Boys division.

In the spirit of sportsmanship, the Gitxsan Mini Mystics and Nuu-Chah-Nulth Tatuus were recognized as the Most Sportsmanlike Teams in the U13 Gold Girls and U13 Gold Boys divisions, respectively.

Full Results:

U17 Boys

1. Vancouver Van City Warriors
2. Lax Kw’alaams, Strike Force
3. Ts’ap, Prince Rupert

U17 Girls

1. NUXALK NATION, AT’MAAKW JR GIRLS (3-peat champions)
2. Vancouver Panthers, Van City
3. Port Alberni Tseshaht Pride

U13 Gold Girls

1. Snuneymuxw Islanders
2. Vancouver Grizzlies
3. Tseshaht Lightning
   Most Sportsmanlike Team: Gitxsan Mini Mystics

U13 Gold Boys

1. Prince Rupert Coastal Pride
2. Ahousaht Guardians
3. Kispo Magic
   Most Sportsmanlike Team: Nuu-Chah-Nulth Tatuus

U13 Silver Girls

1. Maaqtusiis Suns
2. Lax Kxeen United
3. Ahousaht Ocean Storm

U13 Silver Boys

1. Xa’Isla
2. Northshore Wolves
3. Heiltsuk Majestics
4. Nunanta 2

This tournament would not have been possible without the generous support of numerous community partners and sponsors, including SD23, First Nations Health Authority, BC Hydro, Mandell Pinder, TD, Columbia Power Corporation, EMB, Associated Engineers, Aboriginal Policing, Lower Similkameen Indian Band, the Foundry, and ISPARK.

The Jr. All Native Tournament takes place each year during spring break, promoting sportsmanship, cultural pride, and community connection. It rotates annually between the three regions of Northern BC, Coastal BC, and Interior BC, with this year’s tournament hosted by the Syilx Okanagan Nation.

The Syilx Okanagan Nation congratulates all teams for their outstanding efforts and athleticism. With the incredible success of this year’s tournament, JANT continues to grow as a powerful celebration of Indigenous youth sports, and we look forward to seeing this event thrive in future years.

For media inquiries, please contact:
Tara Montgomery, Tournament Director
C: 250-862-6866 E: tmontgomery@syilx.org

 

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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 18th and 19th, at OKM Secondary School in Kelowna. The fair is designed to offer a unique opportunity for attendees to explore holistic health and wellness techniques that support physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being.

The event will showcase a variety of health and wellness resources, including:

• Free Smoothie Bar: Refresh and rehydrate with delicious, nutrient-packed smoothies available for all attendees.
• Syilx Cultural Wellness Techniques: Experience traditional practices that promote overall wellness, guided by cultural teachings from the Syilx people.
• Mental, Emotional, and Spiritual Health Resources: Learn valuable techniques and gain insight into practices that nurture mental clarity, emotional resilience, and spiritual growth.

“We believe that the Pathways to Wellness Fair offers a great opportunity for everyone involved in the Jr. All Native Tournament to not only enjoy the games but also learn about the importance of taking care of their overall health,” said a representative from Syilx Basketball. “Our goal is to ensure that athletes and their families walk away with tools and resources to support their well-being, both on and off the court.”

The fair is free to attend and open to all – whether you’re a player, coach, parent, or simply a community member looking to learn more about wellness.

Don’t miss out on this exciting event that merges sports, culture, and wellness. Visit OKM Secondary School this March 18th and 19th to discover how you can support your journey toward better health!

About Syilx Basketball & Jr. All Native Tournament

Syilx Basketball is dedicated to fostering growth and opportunity for First Nations athletes through sport, culture, and community engagement. The Jr. All Native Tournament is one of the largest Indigenous youth basketball tournaments in Canada, bringing together talented young athletes to compete, learn, and connect.

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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 across the province participating, this tournament will be the biggest gathering of First Nations youth athletes in British Columbia.

The Jr. All Native Tournament brings together young First Nations athletes from across the region to showcase their sportsmanship, and passion for the game. It is an event where players, families, and supporters come together to reconnect, build new relationships, and honor the rich traditions of First Nations basketball. Representing over 100 First Nations communities, athletes aged 6-17 will compete across various divisions, including the traditional 17U boys and girls categories.

“This tournament is so much more than just a basketball competition,” said Tara Montgomery, JANT tournament director and member of the Syilx Nation. “There were so many littles who just wanted to play basketball and follow in the footsteps of their siblings or cousins. We see the impact that this tournament has on our youth and children. For me, it’s for the kids. I think, in this day and age, anything we can do to support our youth is worth it.”

“Bringing First Nations youth together through basketball is about more than just the game—it’s about connection, culture, and creating opportunities. When our young people step onto the court, they’re building confidence, leadership, and a sense of belonging. As a coach, my goal is to support and uplift them, and this is what we hope to achieve,” said Peter Waardenburg, Syilx Head Coach.

JANT is supported by numerous community partners and sponsors, including SD23, First Nations Health Authority, BC Hydro, Mandell Pinder, Columbia Power Corporation, EMB, Associated Engineers, Aboriginal Policing, Lower Similkameen Indian Band, and ISPARK, all of whom help make this incredible event possible.

The tournament not only provides an opportunity for young athletes to showcase their development as athletes, but it also offers a platform for connection, cultural pride, and growth. The Opening Ceremonies will serve as a powerful celebration of sport, unity, and community.
Date: Sunday March 16th – Friday March 21st
Locations: https://jant.ca/gyms/
Time: https://jant.ca/schedules/
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For over 40 years the Jr. All Native Tournament (JANT) has brought teams together from First Nations villages and communities throughout BC to compete, celebrate and connect through the game of basketball. JANT takes place every year during spring break, promoting sportsmanship, cultural pride, and community. The tournament moves each year between three regions: the North, Coast and Interior.

For further information please contact:
Tara Montgomery, Tournament Director
C: 250-862-6866 E: tmontgomery@syilx.org

 

MEDIA ADVISORY-JANT 2025

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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 perpetuated by elected officials.  Denialism has no place on our shared path to truth and reconciliation, which our governments have committed to. We acknowledge the BC Conservative Party for taking a stand against hateful words that minimize the harms of Indian residential schools, mislead the public, and fan the flames of discrimination against Indigenous people.

We are distressed to see elected officials intentionally distort the realities of residential schools, and particularly the Kamloops Indian Residential School. The horrors of these schools are well documented in government archives, volumes of testimony through the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC), and in research undertaken by many academics and First Nations. Our syilx Okanagan Elders, survivors and their families traveled a long, painful road and have fought hard to have their experiences recognized—some of which are recorded in the Okanagan Nation Alliance’s book, Take the Indian Out of the Child (2018), which includes testimonies of the crimes and abuse that took place at the schools in Kamloops and Cranbrook. Cruel comments such as those in Brodie’s public letter delegitimize these realities and distort the public understanding of the truth.

We call on all Canadians citizens to hold their public officials accountable. It is unfortunate that statements such as Brodie’s are not new—and even more concerning that they are shared openly by others including two more Conservative MLAs: Tara Armstrong (Kelowna-Lake Country) and Jordan Kealy (Peace River-North). These politicians are cynically using residential schools as an opportunistic means of leveraging potential power. The very real possibility of more elected officials joining an independent party with these perspectives is a direct threat to all Indigenous peoples and will be a stark barrier to true and meaningful reconciliation.

This racist propaganda is a direct result of how slowly federal and provincial governments have moved to enact the TRC Calls to Action and the failure of Canada’s education system. We call on all levels of government to uphold their responsibilities to truth and reconciliation. Racism, denialism, and the deep disrespect shown by these elected officials must be addressed whenever present. There can be no reconciliation until all Canadians understand the horrific realities of Indian residential schools and the impacts they continue to have on Indigenous people today.

“All Canadians share responsibility for establishing and maintaining mutually respectful relationships.”
— Principle 6 of the Truth & Reconciliation Commission

Syilx Okanagan Chiefs Calling Out Racism by Elected Official MLA Dallas Brodie

For More Information Contact

y̓ilmixʷm ki law na Clarence Louie, ONA xaʔtus

250-498-9132

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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, accessing their ancestral spawning grounds and restoring a crucial link in the region’s ecosystem.

The ceremony was more than just the beginning of a project—it was a cultural reminder about our connection to the land and water, that underscored the importance of bringing the salmon home. Elder caylx Richard Armstrong, who has led countless salmon ceremonies shared the importance and uniquely individual responsibility we all have to take care of the water and land for all living things: “Our hard work, our prayers, and our ceremonies have made this possible. This is a proud moment for all of us, as we see the salmon return to the waters where they belong.”

“Today the Okanagan Nation Alliance is the largest First Nations Fisheries management team in Canada. Our nation has continued for a long time to help bring the salmon back, and although we have had our battles with the province, we the Syilx people will continue as the responsible authority to the salmon,” said Chief Clarence Louie.

“Our collective success has been a series of processes all coming together, like keeping the water flowing in the river, restoring the habitat that we had available and then adding more habitat over time” says Chief Greg Gabriel “everyone in our Nation has been supportive of this important work and many have worked directly with the ONA Fisheries department to get the work done”

The East Salmon Passage will create a nature-like fishway channel bypassing the Okanagan Lake Outlet Dam, allowing over 2 million salmon and other Indigenous fish to pass through to Okanagan Lake for the first time. The fishway will optimize migration conditions, with adjustable barriers to prevent invasive species, while supporting dam operations during drought and lake level fluctuations.

“In the Yakima basin there wasn’t any sockeye there for over 100 years, because of the reservoir dams. Because of our reintroduction and the help from the Okanagan Nation Alliance and coming here to learn, we are now in the process of completing permanent fish passage at Cle Elum Lake Dam, the largest lake in the Yakim Basin,” said Councilor Brian Saluskin, from the Yakima Nation.

Chad Fuller, ONA Fisheries Program Manager, highlighted the significance of this milestone: “This is more than just a project; it’s the next chapter for salmon in the Okanagan. It restores migration routes, supports the ecosystem, and brings the salmon back to their rightful place in the land.” The project will also enhance riparian and lakeshore habitats, benefiting native wildlife, including species-at-risk. A monitoring station will be established to support future research and conservation efforts. This is a crucial step in ensuring the sustainability of our salmon populations and the entire ecosystem. The work we’ve done today will have a lasting impact for generations to come.

“We have built an amazing collaborative partnership to this point where we meet at the culmination and see the last of the barriers to free passage of Okanagan sockeye” said Jocelyn Campbell Director for the Province of BC Ministry of Water and Resource Stewardship.

For more information, please contact:
Tara Montgomery, Communications Lead
E: tmontgomery@syilx.org
T: 250-862-6866
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For over 20 years, the Okanagan Nation Alliance (ONA) and Syilx people have worked tirelessly to bring salmon back from the brink of extinction. This new fishway channel will bypass the Okanagan Lake Outlet Dam, ensuring safe migration for over 2 million salmon and other Indigenous fish species. The project also includes safeguards against invasive species and will continue supporting the dam’s operations during fluctuating water levels and extreme droughts.
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This project is made possible through the collaboration of the Penticton Indian Band, the City of Penticton, the Province of British Columbia, and Fisheries and Oceans Canada, with funding from the Habitat Conservation Plan, the Habitat Subcommittee of the Priest Rapids Coordinating Committee, and TD Friends of the Environment Fund.

ONA Press Release OK Dam Ground Breaking Ceremony

 

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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 will not tolerate violence against our women,” said the Chiefs collectively. “We honor the bravery of the survivors who came forward to ensure justice was served. We remain steadfast in our commitment to protecting our people and creating a future where such acts of violence no longer occur.”

Between October and November of 2022, six Syilx Nation women came forward to report that Mr. Ashley had, allegedly, touched them inappropriately during healing sessions that he offered. This resulted in six initial charges of sexual assault. The court process would take 2 years before resulting in a trial, which took place between September and October of 2024. Despite the heartrending, weeks-long testimony of the six brave women who came forward, BC Supreme Court Judge Michael Brundrett and the jury stated that there was not enough evidence to convict Mr. Ashley of any of the sexual assault charges. The only charge laid against Mr. Ashley was one count of common assault.

“This criminal justice system failed our women once again. They made this sexual predator out to be a victim throughout this trial,” said Penticton Indian Band Chief Greg Gabriel, following the verdict being released. When asked about his views on how the court system handled the trial, Chief Gabriel noted, “We have to fix this damn justice system so these poor women that have been abused don’t have to carry that with them forever. He gets to walk away free, but they have to live with what he did. He’s a predator and he’s brought such disgrace to a very sacred part of our traditions and healing.” Chief Gabriel’s condemnation of the justice system and the lack of true justice received by Indigenous women echoes statements made over many decades. The Canadian justice system has failed Indigenous women, as well as girls and 2-spirit folks, for over a century. These failings are clearly outlined in the final report of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls, “Reclaiming Power and Place”.

“Violence against women in any form is unacceptable and a direct violation of Syilx laws and values,” said Chief Clarence Louie, Chair of the Syilx Okanagan Nation. “As leaders, we have a responsibility to stand up against violence and ensure the safety and dignity of our people, specifically women and girls.”

The Syilx Okanagan Nation has a sacred responsibility to protect our women, who are the lifeblood and knowledge-keepers of our Nation. These values are rooted in Syilx law and align with the principles of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, which affirms our inherent right to self-determination and the protection of our people. As part of this sacred responsibility, the Syilx Okanagan Nation Chiefs signed a Tribal Council Resolution, banishing Donald Ashley from all Syilx Okanagan Nation lands, including the territories of all seven member communities. Mr. Ashley is here forth banned from entering, residing in or participating in events on any part of Syilx Okanagan Nation lands. Nation and Community administration and workers are committed to monitoring and reporting on Mr. Ashley’s compliance with this resolution.
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Chief Gabriel stated that “we are firmly with the survivors and their families as they heal, the safety of our women is a priority, and we will continue to advocate for justice and resources that support the long-term well-being of our communities. We also call on provincial and federal governments to meet their obligations under UNDRIP and the Calls for Justice from the MMIWG Inquiry.”

The National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG) has highlighted the urgent need for action to address the systemic violence faced by Indigenous women. The Chiefs emphasized the Syilx Okanagan Nation’s commitment to strengthening community safety through culturally relevant prevention and healing programs.

Syilx Okanagan Nation Chiefs Appalled At Complete Lack Of Justice For The Harms Caused To Syilx Women By Donald Ashley

For More Information Contact
ki law na, Chief Clarence Louie, ONA Tribal Chair
Tel: 250-498-9132

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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 found within the herds, including Psoroptic Mange.

What is Psoroptic Mange?

Psoroptic mange, caused by mite infestations, severely impacts yilíkʷlxkn health, causing sores, hair loss, inflammation, and scabs. In severe cases, thick ear crusts impair hearing, increasing predator vulnerability. These mites, non-contagious to humans, can survive without a host for over a month in cold, dry conditions. As an indicator species, their health reflects the overall condition of their habitat. The threat of diseases like Psoroptic Mange underscores the urgent need for proactive management, as addressing these issues not only safeguards the yilíkʷlxkn but also supports the health of other wildlife and livestock in the area.

yilíkʷlxkn (Bighorn Sheep) Psoroptic Mange Clinical Trial

The research proposed here will bring naturally infested bighorn sheep from the affected herds into four research enclosures and treat them with the long-acting ML, moxidectin (Cydectin 2% LA, Zoetis Ltd), a previously tested oral fluralaner treatment, or a combination treatment combining the ML and fluralaner. The information provided by this trial will form the foundation of future disease treatment initiatives. This research aims to provide wildlife managers with effective treatment options and information on the period of protection that animals could have before the first animals become susceptible to re-infestation from untreated herd mates. This information will form a crucial part of a future treatment plan for wild sheep populations.

Project Objectives:

1. Trial and Treatment Efficacy
   • Confirm treatment options, dosages, delivery, and efficacy in wild and captive yilíkʷlxkn.
   • In a 15-18 month trial, ~36 Psoroptes-infested yilíkʷlxkn will be treated in captive enclosures to assess drug effects.
   • Assess yilíkʷlxkn population response to large-scale treatment.
2. Disease Monitoring and Spread Prevention
   • Monitor Psoroptes spread to uninfected populations in BC and Washington.
   • Use ELISA testing to detect infections early and validate their effectiveness for yilíkʷlxkn.
   • Track yilíkʷlxkn population metrics (mortality, growth) and prevalence in infected populations.

Expected Impact:

This work aims to establish effective, scalable treatment for Psoroptes in wild herds, advancing adaptive wildlife management strategies for sustaining yilíkʷlxkn populations across BC and internationally.

yilíkʷlxkn (Bighorn Sheep) Psoroptic Mange Initiative Information Update

For More Info:
Mackenzie Clarke, Senior tmixʷ Biologist
mclarke@syilx.org

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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 people, and that we have said we want to “bury the Sinixt.” All of these claims are false. They are provoking threats of violence against our Chiefs and creating confusion and division among our people. Is this our sqilxw ways? Is this the example we want to show our youth, and the future we want for them? This has become so personal and divisive, that we need to share some important facts.

A Way Back to Unity

When the border was drawn along the 49th parallel, both sides of our Nation were left to fend for ourselves against colonial governments. We all endured devastating impacts. Today, Colville Confederated Tribes (CCT) is compensated for impacts on the US side of the border and controls over a million acres of land. In Canada, we are still fighting for our sovereignty, Rights and Title. Despite these challenges, we have continued to foster collaboration with all US entities to advance the healing and reinvigoration of our waterways and lands. The truth, according to our Elders (including those who testified at the Desautel trial), is that the Sinixt have always been part of our Syilx Okanagan Nation. We have one language, one culture, one land and one people. We have never claimed extinction or separation. In fact, we have consistently worked with CCTBC on many issues from salmon reintroduction to border crossing gatherings, and our offers to mediate this issue have been rejected but remain open.

We appeal to all our relatives for unity. We remain committed to abiding by the principals of our Okanagan Nation Declaration (1987) and the Syilx Unity Declaration we all signed in 2010, and to upholding those values to respect each other’s rights and needs.

The Syilx Unity Declaration made four important agreements:

1. Political Unity: We agreed to foster cooperation through political unity and alliance.
2. Cultural Unity: We agreed to protect, preserve, and promote our common culture, history, and language.
3. Economic Unity: We agreed to foster and expand economic development within our communities.
4. Territorial Unity: We agreed to make best efforts to proceed in unity on all claims or assertions to title and/or rights that pertain to our Indigenous territory or special claims.

This is the path of shared success, and it requires leaders who are willing to respect and uphold the principles embodied within the Syilx Unity Declaration, and who are committed to maintaining unity among all our relations, for the good of all, for all time.

We Had to Act: Colonial Governments Excluding Us from Our Territory

This is not our first disagreement or conflict with CCT Business Council (CCTBC). However, it is important to point out we did not walk away from, tear up, or disregard the 2010 Syilx Unity Declaration. Instead, it is the CCTBC who unilaterally walked away and created the “Sinixt Confederacy” in our Eastern Territory without consulting us, and without our consent.

Until recently, our Chiefs tried to resolve this conflict behind closed doors as relatives. This changed this past fall when we decided to sound the alarm because the federal and provincial governments and other stakeholders were starting to exclude us from projects and decisions in our Eastern Territory, including the Arrow Lakes. Meanwhile, they were expanding consultation with the “Sinixt Confederacy,” including on the Big White Ski Resort expansion in the heart of our Territory.

These are threats to our Nation. As such, we have begun reminding governments, companies, and partners in the Arrow Lakes that we hold and exercise Title to our Eastern Territory, and we are the representative and successor group for Sinixt people in Canada, and that many members of our communities are of Sinixt descent.

The truth is that our Chiefs, past and present, have always supported our US-based Sinixt relatives’ right to hunt and gather in our Territory. Where we draw the line, is the right to economic benefit from modern uses and projects within our Territory.

Just as the Colville Tribes wouldn’t expect us to come south and start demanding money, land and consultation on the US-side of the border, we expect our US-based relatives to honour the same principle. Instead, the Desautel Supreme Court ruling, which we supported in good faith through the testimony of our Elders, is being used as a weapon against us, turning an Aboriginal right to hunt, into a reason to reach across the border and claim exclusive rights to our Territory.

Rather than upholding principles of unity, the CCTBC, through the “Sinixt Confederacy,” is pursuing a path of division and exclusion. It is undoing our cooperative successes like salmon restoration, and it is unravelling ties between our once unified Nation, and for what?

We Will Do Everything to Protect, Defend and Advance Our Rights and Title

Our Chiefs have not tried to reach across the border into Colville Tribes’ business areas to demand money or land. We have not hired expensive lawyers and PR firms to seek unilateral involvement and say over Syilx Okanagan Territory in the United States. We have not done any of these things, but as sure as salmon, we will fight the strongest current, and we will do everything to protect, defend and advance the Rights and Title of our people in Canada.

The recent threats made against our Chiefs online are a form of violence, just as efforts to rewrite history and claim and exclude us from our Arrow Lakes Territory are a form of colonial violence. The Syilx Okanagan are a strong people. We have consistently defended our lands and resources throughout our whole territory since time immemorial. We will continue to do so, and our collective resolve is stronger than ever to protect, defend and preserve our Aboriginal Title and Rights to all of our lands and resources. We only hope peace and unity will prevail with our relatives south of the border.

Lim’limpt

Open Letter: Correcting False and Dangerous Claims of the Sinixt Confederacy and Finding a Way Back to Unity

For more information:

y̓il̓mixʷm Robert Louie, Westbank First Nation
Chiefs Executive Council, Syilx Okanagan Nation
rlouie@wfn.ca

Tara Montgomery
ONA Communications Lead
250-862-6866

Andrew Frank
CEC Communications Advisor
604-367-2112

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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 common concern that transcend jurisdictional boundaries.  The MOA supports a shared pathway to address watershed challenges and opportunities.

The signatories to the MOA represent 126 elected leaders who have formalized their shared commitment to protecting water and we hope remaining districts and municipalities join this agreement in the future.  This signals a new era of cooperation, collaboration and action for reconciliation.  Chief Gabriel of the Penticton Indian Band acknowledged that “the signing of the MOA and creation of the leaders table developed through the Collaborative Leadership Initiative (CLI) has been a long time coming and provides leaders who know their watersheds best, a platform to discuss and act on water challenges that are too big for any one government to solve alone”.

The CLI process is a collaborative and inclusive engagement process that builds relationships based on respect, trust, cooperation and partnerships. Facilitated by the Centre for Indigenous Environmental Resources (CIER) the leaders have been meeting for the past 18 months to build trust and to draft the MOA. Victor Cummings, Mayor of the City of Vernon commented “that there are very few opportunities and processes for leaders to come together and work together, CLI facilitation was important in supporting the leaders as they developed the MOA.”

The MOA identifies, shared principles, goals, areas of common concern and next steps that include the development of a Terms of Reference – providing a framework for how the Leaders will work together as neighbours and in partnership.

Chief Robert Louie from Westbank First Nation reminded the leaders “that the health of our water impacts everyone of us in this room, it affects our families and anybody who lives here and visits here. In our culture and in our beliefs – water is sacred, without it, we cannot live.”

Penticton Mayor Julius Bloomfield provided opening remarks and set the tone of the celebratory signing of the MOA, by encouraging the leaders that “this is our opportunity to build a new history together.”

Syilx Elder caylx, Richard Armstrong who has provided guidance throughout the CLI process commented that “as you move forward, I encourage you to make a commitment to working together for the benefit of the water that we share. siwɬkʷ connects us all, this connection flows through our communities, it carries with it a responsibility that we should not take lightly.  I hold my hands up to each of you for taking the first step in protecting our water”.

The leaders plan to convene their next meeting in the coming months to get the important work ahead of them demonstrating reconciliation in action.

“By creating the Okanagan Similkameen Collaborative Leadership Table and committing to working closely together on matters of concern in your two watersheds now for generations to come you will accomplish far more and bestow more benefits on the region than you can presently imagine”.

-Robert Sandford, Senior Government Relations Liaison, United Nation University.

“What is especially inspiring is how this agreement came to be. This is a Syilx-led approach to co-governance rooted in values, protocols and stewardship practices that have sustained these lands and waters since time immemorial…”As the newly formed Canada Water Agency advances its mandate to foster collaborative governance and coordination in water management Nation-wide, this Memorandum of Agreement shines as a remarkable example of that vision in action. Your shared priorities protecting headwaters, restoring ecosystems, addressing climate impacts, and safeguarding of water quality align closely with the Agency’s goals.”

-Terry Duguid, Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister and Special Advisor for Water

This agreement supports the frameworks and implementation of the United Nations Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) and the BC Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (DRIPA). The Agreement lays a foundation for government-to-government relationships between the Syilx Nation and Local Governments through a collaborative and inclusive engagement process that builds relationships based on respect, trust, cooperation and partnerships.  Chief Clarence Louie from Osoyoos Indian Band comments that this is the first time a gathering like this has been done. Long overdue. Native leadership is in the same room as non-Native leadership.”

The establishment of the Collaborative Leadership Table was designed to support the ongoing work of the Syilx Nation and its efforts to work with all levels of government through the Okanagan Lake Responsibility Initiative that was initiated in 2019.   In 2022, ONA and the Centre for Indigenous Environmental Resources began discussion on how to implement a Collaborative Leadership Initiative in the Okanagan and Similkameen regions. The formation of the Collaborative Leadership Table is a direct result of their involvement.

For more information on this initiative, please contact:

Jordan Coble

Natural Resources Committee Chair

250-300-5673

Syilx Chiefs and Local Leaders Sign Historic Agreement to Address Water Issues Across the Okanagan and Similkameen Watersheds

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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 a newly formed Collaborative Leadership Table (hereon referred to as the table) to sign a historic agreement. This initiative marks a historic partnership aimed at protecting and restoring siwɬkʷ, water, and the t’əctx̌ap tl tqalqaltikn, watersheds, for current and future generations.

At the inaugural meeting, elected leaders will sign a Memorandum of Agreement that sets out a path for working together for siwɬkʷ and address water challenges that transcend jurisdictional boundaries. This agreement represents the first time the Syilx Nation and local governments have come together on a large scale to deal with a matter of common concern.

The leaders at this table will work together as neighbours to address common concerns for protecting and restoring siwɬkʷ, water, and the t´əctx̌ap tl tqalqaltikn, watersheds now and for future generations. Furthermore, creating an opportunity for leaders who know their watersheds best to discuss and act on water challenges that are too big for any one government to solve on their own.

This agreement supports the frameworks of the United Nations Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) and the BC Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (DRIPA). This agreement supports government-to-government relationships between the Syilx Nation and local governments through a collaborative and inclusive engagement process that builds relationships based on respect, trust, cooperation and partnerships.

Syilx Elder caylx, Richard Armstrong expressed his thoughts about this historic agreement: “As you move forward in this process, I encourage you to make a commitment to working together for the benefit of the watershed that we all share. Remember that the siwɬkʷ connects us all. This connection flows through our communities and across jurisdictional lines, and it carries with it a responsibility that we should not take lightly. I hold my hands up to each of you for taking the first step in this Collaborative Leadership Initiative”.

We invite journalists to attend the Memorandum of Agreement signing event to document this significant day.

Date: Friday, November 15. 2024
Time: Starts at 1:30 pm-2:30 pm, Lunch is provided
Location: Penticton Golf and Country Club, 600 Comox Street, snpink’tn, Penticton

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The Okanagan Nation Alliance (ONA) was formed in 1981 as the inaugural First Nations government in the Okanagan to work collectively on areas of common concern and to advance and assert Syilx Okanagan Nation Title and Rights over Syilx Okanagan Territory. The ONA Chiefs Executive Council is dedicated to upholding our inherent rights and responsibilities. The Syilx Okanagan Nation is on a long journey of righting the historical injustices that have resulted in grave impacts on our lands, waters, and communities.

For further information please contact:
Tessa Terbasket, Okanagan Nation Alliance, siwłkʷ Program Lead
C: 250- 499-9496 E: tterbasket@syilx.org

Syilx Nation and Local Governments Sign Historic Agreement to Protect siwɬkʷ

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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 of the Syilx Okanagan Nation, issued the following statement in response to racist public comments by BC Conservative candidate, Marina Sapozhnikov.

The recorded comments were publicized in a Vancouver Sun article on October 24, 2024.

“We join other voices, Indigenous and non-Indigenous alike, in condemning the abhorrent and racist comments made by the BC Conservative candidate for the riding of Juan de Fuca-Malahat, Marina Sapozhnikov.

These ignorant and hateful comments, which constitute a form of hate speech, have no place in our society. We call on BC Conservative Leader, John Rustad, to immediately take a clear and strong stand against hate and racism, by removing her from his political party.

Indigenous Nations are the first peoples and the original rights and title holders of this province, as recognized by the Supreme Court of Canada. We have been here since time immemorial and we have survived the racist and colonial views and actions of people like Ms. Sapozhnikov, whose comments show the true depth of her own ignorance of both history and the contemporary reality of our province.

Would-be politicians who hold and espouse racist and backward views, should be immediately disqualified by their party leaders, based on the understanding that such views and comments are hateful and hurtful to Indigenous people, and completely undermine any kind of government-to-government relationship between provincial leaders and the Indigenous Nations on whose land and good graces this province depends.”

Statement by Okanagan Nation Alliance on Racist Public Comments by BC Conservative Candidate for Juan de Fuca-Malahat

980 CKNW Interview with Chief Clarence Louie on the Racist Public Comments by BC Conservative Candidate

For more information, or to arrange interviews:

Tara Montgomery
ONA Communications Lead
250-862-6866

Andrew Frank
CEC Communications Advisor
604-367-2112

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snpinktn (Penticton), Syilx Territory: The Syilx Okanagan Nation and the Wild Sheep Society of BC invited the community to join them in honoring the yilíkʷlxkn (Bighorn Sheep) at a significant ceremony that marked the official opening of the pens for the upcoming Psoroptic Mange drug trials. This important event took place at the Penticton Indian Band Sheep Pens.

“What I want to recognize is the many hands it takes to do this type of work and do something meaningful on the land for our four-leggeds, that which provided for us, it is our turn to provide back for them. I am so grateful that we have so many partners and people pulling together to do this work.” – Jordan Coble, ONA Natural Resources Committee Chair

During this ceremony, the Okanagan Nation Alliance and the Wild Sheep Society of BC signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), formalizing their shared commitment to the conservation and protection of Bighorn Sheep, particularly in relation to the upcoming drug trials for Psoroptic mange. “Without Wild Sheep Society backing us up, we would be having a harder time, we would still be doing it, but we would be having a harder time,” said Cailyn Glasser, Manager of Okanagan Nation Alliance’s Natural Resource Department.

The MOU highlighted the vital integration of traditional ecological knowledge from the Syilx people with the scientific research and conservation strategies employed by the Wild Sheep Society. Through this partnership, both organizations aim to enhance the health of Bighorn Sheep populations, tackle challenges such as disease management, and promote sustainable practices that benefit the broader ecosystem.

“The Wild Sheep Society of British Columbia is grateful for this opportunity to formalize our collaboration with the Okanagan Nation Alliance and to support the Okanagan’s California Bighorn Sheep. The Syilx people have long been the caregivers of this land and the wild sheep, and it is a privilege to support them in this historic MOU signing. The Society’s mission is to look after wild sheep, and this signifies our commitment to work together for the health and vitality of these Bighorn Sheep populations.” – Kyle Stelter Chief Executive Officer, Wild Sheep Society British Columbia.

Psoroptic mange is a severe skin disease caused by an infestation of mites, which severely impacted the health of Bighorn Sheep. As an indicator species, their health reflected the overall condition of their habitat. The threat of diseases like Psoroptic mange underscored the urgent need for proactive management, as addressing these issues not only safeguarded Bighorn Sheep but also supported the health of other wildlife and livestock in the area.

For the Syilx people, there remained an enduring responsibility to care for the land and the tmixw (all living creatures), including yilíkʷlxkn, who hold a special place in Syilx culture. The yilíkʷlxkn are relatives with whom they have shared the tmxʷulaxʷ (land) and resources for thousands of years. The upcoming drug trials aimed to evaluate effective treatments for Psoroptic mange, with successful trials potentially paving the way for widespread treatment protocols that would enhance conservation efforts and improve the overall health of Bighorn Sheep in the Okanagan and beyond.

For more information, please contact:

Mackenzie Clarke, Okanagan Nation Alliance

Senior tmixʷ Biologist

C: 250-681-0131 E: mclarke@syilx.org

Cailyn Glasser, Okanagan Nation Alliance

ONA Natural Resource Manager

C: 1-250-469-1595  E: cglasser@syilx.org

 

The ONA is committed to conserve, manage, co-manage the wildlife, lands and waters of the Nation’s territory. In doing so, the Nation will be true to its spiritual and environmental values, mindful of the cultural and social needs and aspirations of its individual bands, and strong in its assertion of the Nation’s rights and title to its entire area of occupancy and use.

 

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Salmon Restoration Efforts at Risk After Colville Confederated Tribes’ Political Decision to Walk Away from 15-Year Sockeye Restoration Partnership with Syilx Okanagan Nation

ntytyix sockeye salmon have always been a priority in Syilx Okanagan Nation’s restoration efforts; 80% of Columbia River salmon originate from the Okanagan, where the majority spawn in Canada. This year, upwards of 300,000 sockeye have made it back into the river to spawn.

SYILX OKANAGAN NATION TERRITORY (October 24, 2024) – One of the internationally known “good news” environmental stories of recent years, has been the return of record numbers of sockeye salmon to the Okanagan River thanks to the Okanagan Nation Alliance Fisheries’ (ONA) salmon restoration efforts. Unfortunately, despite this incredible success, the work has been put at risk this year by the unilateral political decision of the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation to cancel funding and walk away from joint salmon restoration projects with the Syilx Okanagan Nation.

The ONA has long-established First Nation fisheries management operations and is considered to be the largest inland First Nations fishery in BC, if not Canada, including a sockeye salmon conservation hatchery.

On August 12, 2024, the Chairman of the Confederated Tribes sent two letters to ONA Fisheries project staff to cancel his tribes’ share of joint funding for salmon restoration projects that had been running for over 15 years. The short-sighted decision goes against the teachings of spiritual leaders and Syilx/Sinixt Elders like Calyx (Richard Armstrong), who have always reminded us that the work of ntytyix fish passage is bigger than all of us – a clear, stark reminder of our sacred covenants as Syilx peoples to care for our tmixʷ (all living things) and tmxʷulaxʷ (land).

The annual funding was valued at approximately $400,000 (CAD), and the cancellation, which was made with just 15 days’ notice, and without explanation, has caused significant disruption to ongoing work, risking jobs, and forcing the Syilx Okanagan Nation to make emergency triage decisions on salmon restoration projects that were already underway this fiscal year.

“This last-minute cancellation has left our project staff scrambling, and delayed projects,” said Chief Robert Louie of the Westbank First Nation, a Syilx Okanagan Nation community. “The salmon are too important to play politics with, and we will take care of them, but it’s important to note this cancellation was very disruptive and sharply at odds with Chairman Erickson’s recent media comments that his tribes want to ‘live in unity and partnership’ with our Nation.”

The Syilx Okanagan Nation has chosen to share news of the cancellation because Colville has continued to pursue a unilateral agenda of reaching across the border into Canada, demanding and acting to gain involvement over Syilx Okanagan Nation Territory. The Syilx Okanagan Nation has never attempted to do the same in the US and has in fact been prepared to meet and discuss issues, with an extended hand that remains open to Colville.

“In retrospect, the cancellation was not only an escalation of Colville’s move away from our Syilx Unity Declaration,” said Chief Louie. “But it also appears to be a direct play for full control of Upper Columbia fish passage, salmon reintroduction and research – work that we have successfully led in all parts of our Territory. Our partnership on salmon restoration was evidence of the success we achieve when we work together, as our people have done for thousands of years. Our door always has been, and always will remain open to working together again with our US relatives, as we have always had one language, one land, one culture and one people.”

A recent source of friction within the once unified nation has been Colville’s decision to claim one of their 12 tribes – the Lakes Tribe, what they now call the “Sinixt Confederacy” — is a distinct nation, deserving separate rights and compensation in the Arrow Lakes area of BC, which is part of the Eastern Territory of the Syilx Okanagan Nation.

In Canada, the Syilx Okanagan Nation is the successor group for Sinixt descendants because many members of our communities are of Sinixt descent, the Sinixt have always been part of the Syilx Okanagan Nation, and we have continued to hunt, gather, travel and perform our ceremonies throughout our Territory including the Arrow Lakes region, to the present day.

Important Facts:

• 80% of salmon that enter the mouth of the Columbia River are Okanagan River sockeye.
• The vast majority of these salmon spawn in Canada, in the Okanagan River.
• Colville’s decision harms salmon restoration efforts that directly benefit their people by bringing salmon back and increasing fishing opportunities on the Columbia River.

The abrupt cancellation means an immediate loss of funding for:

• Fish habitat and passage assessments, analysis and conceptual designs.
• Stream/fish passage issues – investigation, community and public engagement.
• Meetings and project development for the Okanagan River Restoration Initiative (ORRI) and the Okanagan Basic Monitoring Evaluation Program (OBMEP).
• Traditional Environmental Knowledge (TEK) support.
• Outreach funds for projects.
• Project management and coordination during construction projects.
• Six discharge stations used for drought and water management discussions with BC, and to support special projects related to environmental flows.
• Loss of administration funds and cost sharing to support proposals to government.

Salmon Restoration Efforts at Risk After Colville Confederated Tribes’ Political Decision to Walk Away from 15-Year Sockeye Restoration Partnership with Syilx Okanagan Nation

For more information, please contact:

Tara Montgomery
ONA Communications Lead
250-862-6866

Andrew Frank
CEC Communications Advisor
604-367-2112

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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 of dollars in federal funding, including for hydroelectric power impacts on the U.S.-side of the Columbia River, receive millions more and consultation status for the same kinds of impacts on the Canadian side?

It’s a question our Syilx Okanagan Nation is being forced to ask after the U.S.-half of our previously unified nation, the Washington-based Colville Confederated Tribes, decided recently to rewrite history and claim one of its 12 tribes — the Lakes Tribe, what they now call the Sinixt Confederacy — is a distinct nation, deserving rights and compensation in Canada.

If you are the chair of the Colville Tribal Business Council, the answer to the question is yes. In an interview on Oct. 7, Jarred-Michael Erickson said “all the money” from hydroelectric revenue from B.C.’s Arrow Lakes should be going to his organization.

He was responding to our chiefs’ decision to break a years-long silence and sound the alarm on transborder consultation as a critical issue for British Columbians.

We did so because we learned of plans by the B.C. government to consult the Sinixt Confederacy on expansion plans at Big White Ski Resort, in the heart of our nation’s territory, near Kelowna.

This was on top of their expanding claims to other parts of our territory, including the Arrow Lakes. B.C. faces potential transborder claims by U.S. Indigenous citizens across the province. Whoever forms the next government must tread extremely carefully, or risk opening a Pandora’s box.

Our nation’s own story is a cautionary tale.

In 2021, the Supreme Court of Canada ruled in R. v. Desautel that a U.S. citizen and member of the Colville Confederated Tribes had an Aboriginal right to hunt in Canada. Following that, the tribes rewrote history and claimed the Arrow Lakes as their own. In the era of reconciliation, their Sinixt Confederacy found sympathy as the previously “extinct nation” was welcomed back to reclaim its territory.

The only problem was the story was untrue. As our own Syilx Okanagan Elders — respected language speakers, knowledge keepers, and Sinixt descendants — confirmed at the trial, our Sinixt lineages are alive and well in Canada. The truth is the Sinixt have always been part of the Syilx Okanagan Nation, just like other nsyilxcәn-speaking communities such as the Similkameen, Spamoxin and Inkameep. We have one language, one culture, one land, and one people.

It was the imposition of the Canada-U.S. border in 1846 that divided us. It was hydroelectric flooding and colonial impacts in the Arrow Lakes that dispersed us. We moved into other parts of our territory: The Colville reservation in the U.S. and sister communities in the Okanagan.

The painful irony is that our Syilx Okanagan Nation, in good faith, supported our U.S. relatives at the Desautel trial by providing evidence of the continued use and occupation of the Arrow Lakes by Syilx people of Sinixt descent, including the many members of our communities in Canada.

That our relatives turned away from our previous Syilx unity declaration, and began seeking to exclude us from our own territory is painful beyond words. It is also a cautionary tale of bad-faith actors and why the stakes are so high.

While the decision to draw the border along the 49th parallel was not made by our people, it now exists. Our Indigenous communities and systems of governance have adapted to this reality. While our kinship ties remain, we have adopted different citizenships and different forms of self-governance.

In the case of our U.S. relatives, they have been enriched by U.S. federal funding and large swaths of treaty land. Their campaign to claim more territory in Canada is strategic and well-funded. In contrast, in Canada, we are still using our self determination to protect and advance Syilx Okanagan Nation rights and title, as we have done since time immemorial.

Our position is clear: We support the limited right of our relatives to hunt in B.C., but when it comes to consultation, rights and title in this province, B.C.-based First Nations must always be the priority, and there should be no double-dipping for U.S. tribes.

As of last week, we have the backing of NDP Leader David Eby, who issued a joint statement with us affirming “First Nations located in B.C. must always be the priority and primary focus of all levels of government including the province of B.C.,” and recognizing “the Syilx Okanagan Nation’s representative role in relation to Sinixt people in Canada.”

The B.C. Greens have endorsed this position, and we hope the B.C. Conservatives would to.

British Columbians are on our side: In a Castanet straw poll last week, 83.1 per cent of 7,632 respondents voted no when asked: “Should U.S. First Nations be consulted about land use issues in B.C.?”

For years we have kept quiet, trying to resolve this issue internally. But as the Colville Business Council rejected our offers to meet and mediate, they made advances with government ministers and regional staff.

The provincial plan to consult it on expansion at Big White was the straw that broke the camel’s back. We decided British Columbians needed to know what was happening, and what was at stake.

Whoever forms the next B.C. government must prioritize the interest of B.C. First Nations. It is not just the legally and morally right thing to do, it is also an effective way of supporting local economies and addressing rural economic disparities through the kinds of development we welcome in our territories.

Robert Louie is chief of the Westbank First Nation, a community of the Syilx Okanagan Nation.

Find the article here.

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Nation launches public awareness campaign to assert its role as the representative of Sinixt people in Canada and says First Nations located on the Canadian side of the border must always be the priority and primary focus of all levels of government.

The Syilx Okanagan Nation and NDP Leader, David Eby, have issued a joint policy statement clarifying their position on an issue many British Columbians are unaware of, but that could have significant implications for BC and Canada: transborder consultation with US-based tribal groups, including on expansion plans for Big White Ski Resort, located in the heart of Syilx Okanagan Nation Territory.

BC currently faces potential transborder Aboriginal claims by US Indigenous citizens across the province, north and south.

Specifically, the Syilx Okanagan Nation, as represented by the Chiefs Executive Council, has been raising concerns over the ever-expanding transborder claims of the American-based Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation, their recently created “Sinixt Confederacy,” and most recently, potential consultation with the Confederacy on expansion plans at Big White Ski Resort, situated in Westbank First Nation’s area of responsibility within Syilx Okanagan Territory.

Consultation with the Confederacy could cause serious harms to the Nation, because the Sinixt are already represented in Canada by the Syilx Okanagan Nation itself.

“We welcome NDP Leader David Eby’s clarification of his position on the critical issue of transborder consultation, through our joint policy statement, because the stakes are high for all British Columbians,” said Chief Robert Louie of the Westbank First Nation. “Our joint statement affirms that First Nations located in BC must always be the priority and primary focus of all levels of government, and we encourage all party leaders to affirm this same position.”

“All party leaders, both provincially and federally, must clarify their positions on transborder consultation with US Tribes,” said Chief Clarence Louie of the Osoyoos Indian Band and Tribal Chair of the Syilx Okanagan Nation. “We thank David Eby for his recognition and respect of the Syilx Okanagan Nation’s representative role in relation to Sinixt people in Canada in Syilx Okanagan Territory, and we believe all party leaders should publicly affirm and extend this same respect to all First Nations on the Canadian side of the border.”

The joint statement emerged after weekend discussions between David Eby and Chief Robert Louie over the Nation’s concerns that consultation plans, such as those for potential expansion at Big White Ski Resort, could go beyond anything prescribed by the courts to date, and would risk opening a Pandora’s box of transborder claims across the province. The Desautel Supreme Court of Canada decision, for example, affirmed a singular right to hunt Elk. The case was not about Aboriginal Title.

The Chiefs are also simultaneously launching a public awareness campaign to counter misinformation and a troubling pattern of consultation that has arisen, particularly in the eastern part of our territory, since the recent unilateral creation of the “Sinixt Confederacy” by the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation Business Council. This campaign, which includes guidelines for stakeholders and all levels of government, makes clear that: Sinixt have always been part of the Syilx Okanagan Nation; our members, including those with Sinixt ancestry continue to use and occupy all areas of our territory, including the Arrow Lakes area; and that governments and stakeholders have a duty to consult and accommodate the Syilx Okanagan Nation regarding decisions and projects that impact all areas of our territory and our Title and Rights.

“In keeping with federal and provincial commitments to implement the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, we expect all governments to understand and respect that Indigenous self-determination means that we define who we are and who represents us. Our laws must be followed,” said Rosalie Yazzie, a lawyer, Sinixt descendant and member of the Syilx Okanagan Nation. “Choosing to acknowledge unilateral claims of US-based Tribal organizations would give them a platform to try to dictate the future of our unceded land in Canada. We want our Syilx/Sinixt family south of the border to be acknowledged, but not to our exclusion. Whoever forms the next provincial and federal governments must approach this issue very thoughtfully and with our consent. Neither the Sinixt Confederacy nor Crown governments can sever our territory.”

While the story of the historical denial and alleged “extinction” of the Sinixt is tragic, it should not be used to deny the exercise of Syilx Okanagan Nation Title and Rights within our territory or to deny the identity of Syilx Okanagan peoples in Canada who are of Sinixt descent. The previous unity of the Syilx Okanagan Nation north and south of the imposed Canada-US border was reflected in the Syilx Unity Declaration of 2010 that was signed by political representatives, Elders, and respected community members from the Okanagan Nation Alliance and Colville Confederated Tribes to reflect the longstanding shared cultural, kinship, territorial, economic, and political ties of the Syilx people.

The Sinixt – just like other nsyilxcәn-speaking communities such as the Similkameen – have always been part of our Nation, and our people, including those of Sinixt descent, have always exercised our Title and Rights within our territory. We have one language, one culture, one land, and one people. We are nsyilxcәn-speaking people, and we have always been—and always will be—united by our common language, our sqixʷɬcawt (culture), and our tmxʷulaxʷ (land), which we have continuously occupied and relied upon for thousands of years, as reflected in our oral history and land use practices.

Unfortunately, Colville Confederated Tribes walked away from the Unity Declaration following the Supreme Court of Canada’s decision in R. v. Desautel which found that one of its tribes – the Lakes Tribe – was one successor group to the Sinixt, and that its members had a hunting right in the Arrow Lakes area. Importantly, the Court did not determine that it is the only successor group. In Canada, the Syilx Okanagan Nation is the successor group for the Sinixt, and Crown governments in Canada can’t and shouldn’t consult and accommodate a tribe on the US side of the border the same way they consult Syilx Okanagan Nation on the Canadian side.

“We have tried to resolve this issue internally as a family, but the US-based Colville Confederated Tribes and their ‘Sinixt Confederacy’ are creating conflict in our previously unified Syilx Okanagan Nation and confusion among stakeholders and well-meaning allies,” said Chief Clarence Louie of the Osoyoos Indian Band and Tribal Chair of the Syilx Okanagan Nation. “We have committed through our countless declarations and oral histories to advance, protect and defend our Title and Rights by any means necessary. It’s time the public began hearing about our history and interests from the representatives of Sinixt people in Canada.”

The Court’s finding that the Sinixt are not extinct was a victory for all Syilx Okanagan people. The Syilx Okanagan Nation intervened in the Desautel case at every level of appeal because Sinixt have always been part of the Nation, and the Arrow Lakes region is part of our territory where we exercise our Title and Rights. Our Syilx Okanagan Elders – respected language speakers and knowledge keepers, who are Sinixt descendants – testified at trial and confirmed our Sinixt lineages are alive and well in Canada and provided evidence of our continued use and occupation of the area.

Understanding that the Syilx Okanagan Nation must always be consulted and accommodated on issues involving any parts of our territory, including the Arrow Lakes area, is a critical part of truth and reconciliation. Failure to understand and accept this threatens reconciliation by seriously harming government-to-government relationships and drives further wedges between our own internal family relationships with members of the Colville Confederated Tribes.

The joint statement between David Eby and Chief Robert Louie is available here.

Guides for governments, media, cultural and educational institutions, and allies on how to report stories, consult and accommodate Sinixt people and the Syilx Okanagan Nation, are available here.

A high-resolution copy of a map of Syilx Okanagan Nation territory is available here.

For more information, please contact:

Tara Montgomery
ONA Communications Lead
250-862-6866

Andrew Frank
CEC Communications Advisor
604-367-2112

Media Release: Syilx Okanagan Nation Welcomes Joint Statement with David Eby on Transborder Consultation Policy with US Tribes, Including on Big White Ski Resort Expansion; Nation Asks All Party Leaders to Clarify Their Positions Ahead of Elections

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tkwəɬniwt (Westbank), Syilx Territory: Approximately 700 bighorn sheep are spread across four population units in the Okanagan and Similkameen portions of Syilx Okanagan Territory: Granby, South Okanagan, Similkameen-Ashnola, and Westside Road. These units are geographically isolated with limited interactions. The health of the yilíkʷlxkn (Okanagan bighorn sheep herds)  has been compromised by several diseases, including epizootic hemorrhagic disease (EHD) outbreaks, persistent pneumonia outbreaks linked to Mycoplasma ovipneumoniae (M. ovi) and issues with external parasitism from Psoroptes cuniculi that have further impacted their health and numbers.

Bighorn sheep are an integral and critical part of the  Syilx Okanagan Nation culture since time immemorial. “The bighorn sheep is a relative with whom we have shared tmxʷulaxʷ (land) and resources for thousands of years. There is an inextinguishable responsibility to care for the land and the tmix^w (all living creatures), including bighorn sheep.” – says Jordan Coble, the Okanagan Nation Alliance’s(ONA) Natural Resource Committee(NRC) Chairman. ”

The ONA is aware that the Provincial Ministry of Water, Lands and Resource Stewardship (WLRS)  is grappling with budget constraints that are impacting BC’s ability to implement the work that must continue in order steward the Bighorn sheep and their habitat. As noted in several previous articles, this year’s budget allocation to WLRS amounts to less than half of what was spent the previous year, for an already chronically underfunded program. This has meant that the disease monitoring program, crucial for protecting these populations, is losing some of its’ support, as Provincial budgets and capacity dwindle. Provincial budgets and support are only part of the equation when it comes to yilíkʷlxkn stewardship though, and the ONA certainly will not allow a lack of Provincial support to ‘cancel’ the Bighorn programs. These circumstances, in the ONA’s view, only add pressure to BC to advance co-management agreements, and acknowledge and recognize the Syilx Okanagan Nation’s responsibilities for wildlife. BC has a responsibility as well, to work to ensure that wildlife are protected and managed, and to act as partners with the ONA in doing so.

The Syilx Okanagan Nation is very aware of the threat to many important issues, including Bighorn sheep, and remain committed to finding pathways and solutions to ensure these important programs are not lost. In partnership with the Wild Sheep Society of BC, ensuring continued efforts to protect these herds is a top priority. ‘We understand that a combination of awkward timing, budget constraints and adjustments after multiple re-organizations in WLRS are creating challenges, but British Columbians can be assured that Bighorn work will continue. The Syilx Okanagan Nation’s work on the Wildlife matters long predates that of BC’s DRIPA. We hold steadfast to our responsibility to advocate for Syilx title and rights, and rightful role in the context of wildlife stewardship. Specifically for the yilíkʷlxkn, we have been partners in every aspect of this work for many years and will continue to step forward and hold the line regardless of Provincial dynamics and politics’-Cailyn Glasser, ONA NRD Manager.

Kyle Stelter, Chief Executive Officer of the Wild Sheep Society of BC, comments, “Bighorns are an iconic wildlife species in BC and are an important part of our natural ecosystem. In recent years, the Society has invested over $1.3 million towards bighorn sheep management and raised another $1 million through grants and partner funding. Our members are dedicated to investing in the vitality and health of wild sheep populations across BC, and we will continue to work with the Syilx Okanagan Nation to ensure that the bighorn sheep disease management program continues to run.” The Okanagan Nation Alliance and the Wild Sheep Society of BC have developed a memorandum of understanding, committing to partnership to ensure BH Sheep recover and persist in the Okanagan.

B.C. fish and wildlife programs are in ‘crisis’ | The Narwhal

Okanagan bighorn sheep disease monitoring program cancelled | iNFOnews | Thompson-Okanagan’s News Source (infotel.ca)

 

For information please contact:

Jordan Coble, ONA Natural Resource Comittee Chair

Cell: 1-250-300-5673

 

Cailyn Glasser, ONA Natural Resources Manager

Cell: 250-469-1595

 

Photo Attribution: Okanagan Nation Alliance

Assurances that Okanagan yilíkʷlxkn (Bighorn Sheep) are not left behind

 

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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 on Truth and Reconciliation Day with a respective 2 km walk.

Participants of all ages wore orange shirts as they walked together toward the Syilx Indian Residential School monument, known as kʷu səckm̓antaʔx iʔ scəcmalaʔtət k̓l citxʷtət, meaning “Bringing Our Kids Home” created by the late ‘Smoker’ Virgil Marchand, the monument stands in front of the Okanagan Nation Alliance kł cp̓əlk̓ stim̓ Hatchery, serving as a powerful reminder of the lasting impact of residential schools on the Syilx community.

Syilx elder and survivor Sarah McLeod shared her harrowing experience of being sent to the Kamloops Indian Residential School, where she stayed for eight and a half years. “When it was time for us to go home, we had to travel in a cattle truck, surrounded by the smell of cows and horses. Now, I feel sad thinking about what happened to us in that residential school,” she reflected. The monument serves as a landmark for the children who were returned in cattle cars after enduring horrific experiences at the Kamloops Indian Residential School.

Others spoke about the intergenerational trauma their families have experienced due to the Kamloops Indian Residential School. smúkʷaʔxn, Inez Pierre expressed frustration over the lack of investigation into the buried children who never returned home. “We always knew there were buried children because our elders don’t lie. The survivors told the truth. In our language, there is no word for lie. There is no word for ‘I’m sorry.’ That’s not in our nsyilxcən language,” she said.

The walk’s destination of the Syilx Indian Residential School monument, is intentionally located near the kł cp̓əlk̓ stim̓ hatchery, which translates to “to cause to come back.” This proximity resonates deeply with the community’s ongoing journey of healing and restoration, akin to the revival of salmon populations in the region. The textured concrete wall of the monument features storyboards that recount the harrowing history of residential schools and the strength of the Syilx Okanagan Nation, adorned with imagery of bears and salmon, symbolizing protection and hope for future generations.

This year’s theme, niʔʕayp kus alaʔx, meaning “We Have Always Been Here,” underscores the enduring presence and resilience of the Syilx people. In a moving address, local leaders emphasized the importance of remembering those who have suffered. Chief Greg Gabriel of the Penticton Indian Band welcomed the elders and survivors in attendance, noting, “Make no mistake, we are still experiencing intergenerational trauma as a result of residential school history. Your support and honor today help guide us on our path toward reconciliation.”

The walk served not only as a tribute but also as a commitment to educating future generations about the realities of the residential school experience, ensuring that truth is recognized as we move forward on the path toward healing. As participants left the event, they carried with them the stories shared, the lessons learned, and a renewed determination to support Indigenous peoples and their ongoing journey toward justice. Together, everyone embraced the understanding that while challenges remain, collective efforts to acknowledge truth and foster healing are vital for future generations.

 

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snpinktn (Penticton), Syilx Territory: Join us on Truth and Reconciliation Day for a meaningful 2 km walk honoring the children who never returned home and to honor the resilience of survivors and the memory of those affected by the Indian residential school system.
The walk culminates at the Syilx Indian Residential School monument, kʷu səckm̓antaʔx iʔ scəcmalaʔtət k̓l citxʷtət, Bringing Our Kids Home by ‘Smoker’ Virgil Marchand. The monument is in front of the Okanagan Nation Alliance kł cp̓əlk stim̓ Hatchery. This site is historically significant as it marks where Syilx children were transported to Indian residential schools. Important to this location is the kł cp̓əlk stim̓ hatchery’s name, translating from nsyilxcən to English as “to cause to come back,” in reflecting our community’s commitment to healing and restoration, much like the return of salmon after decades of decline. The monument features a textured concrete wall with storyboards that recount the history of the Okanagan Nation’s Indian residential school experiences and celebrate our resilience. It includes bear and salmon imagery, symbolizing protection and hope for future generations. This sacred space serves as a place for reflection and remembrance.

This year’s theme, niʔʕayp kus alaʔx, translating from the nsyilxcən language to English as “We Have Always Been Here.” While orange shirts have become a powerful symbol of remembrance, we recognize that for some survivors, the color can be a painful reminder of their experiences. Last year, the Syilx Indian Residential School Committee designed blue and green shirts that focus on mental health, self-care, and the importance of healing through our sqilxw connection to the land and water as people of the land.

Date: Monday September 30, 2024
Time: Starts at 10:00 am
Location: Departing from the Safeway Parking Lot in Penticton at 10:00 am and will walk 2 km to the Syilx Indian Residential School Monument outside the kł cp̓əlk stim̓ Hatchery on the En’owkin Trail.
Google Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/gC9uoFAPkjzNjcvr5

The Okanagan Nation Alliance (ONA) is was formed in 1981 as the inaugural First Nations government in the Okanagan to work collectively on areas of common concern and to advance and assert Syilx Okanagan Nation Title and Rights over Syilx Okanagan Territory. The ONA Chiefs Executive Council (CEC) is dedicated to upholding our inherent rights and responsibilities. The Syilx Okanagan Nation is on a long journey of righting the historical injustices that have resulted in grave impacts on our lands, waters, and communities.

Walk For The Children On Truth And Reconciliation Day: The Syilx Okanagan Nation Honors The Children Who Never Returned Home

For further information please contact:
Taylor Carpenter, Okanagan Nation Alliance, Syilx Indian Residential School Committee Coordinator
C: 250- 516-7225 E: tcarpenter@syilx.org

 

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The ONA Chiefs Executive Council brought 26 leaders together on September 11 for the newly formed Okanagan and Similkameen River Watershed’s Collaborative Leadership Table to discuss shared water challenges. This was the third Leadership Table meeting and is a historic moment and turning point in regional watershed planning as the leaders committed to signing a Memorandum of Agreement to formalize their collaboration to protect siwɬkʷ (water). The Memorandum of Agreement sets out how the parties will work together on common siwɬkʷ priorities.

y̓il̓mixʷm simo, Chief Robert Louie of Westbank First Nation and Mayor Gord Milsom of West Kelowna co-hosted the meeting. “We are here to work together to protect what is precious to us, particularly the water. The Okanagan, and Similkameen Rivers are vital,” said Chief Louie. “We aim to learn from each other and understand the importance of the Memorandum of Agreement, which will set the political tone for our collaboration. I am hopeful that we will finalize this Memorandum before the snow falls”. Mayor Milsom stated, “It is our responsibility as community leaders to work together to protect and restore our water.”
The Leadership Table is a Syilx-led initiative is a continuation of three decades of work by the Syilx Nation and their partners to ensure siwɬkʷ is protected, restored and available for all living things. It was the vision of the late Chief Albert Saddleman in the early 1990’s to bring the salmon back to the Okanagan Watershed; and his vision included for the salmon to return, so does the health of the watersheds. ONA siwɬkʷ work includes the siwɬkʷ Water Declaration, the syilx siwɬkʷ Strategy and the kɬúsx̌nítkʷ Okanagan Lake Responsibility Planning Initiative (OKLRPI). Since 2018 the OKLRPI has convened Syilx and non-Syilx partners that includes municipalities, regional districts, provincial agencies and others to start a planning process to work towards an Okanagan and Similkameen Watershed Responsibility Plan.

To initiate the Collaborative Leadership Table, ONA partnered with the Centre for Indigenous Environmental Resources (CIER), a national Indigenous-directed non-profit charitable organization to adapt CIER’s Collaborative Leadership Initiative (CLI) model for the Okanagan region. Tessa Terbasket, a Leadership Table Coordinator says, “We know that watershed issues for the Okanagan and Similkameen Rivers are too complex for any one government to be able to solve on their own.”

caylx, Richard Armstrong, Syilx Knowledge Holder is also very supportive of the initiative and said “It makes me happy to hear that the Syilx Nation leaders are welcoming local municipal leaders to start talking about siwɬkʷ. Our elders have always told us that water is shared for all living things, and we need to work together to ensure it can sustain itself for future generations.”

The public signing event for the Memorandum of Agreement will be held on November 15, 2024, in snpink’tn, Penticton. The Coordinating team are undertaking the planning for this historic event and will be sending out a press release and background information prior to the event.

Syilx Chiefs and local government leaders join forces to tackle water issues across the Okanagan River and Similkameen River Watersheds

For more information on this initiative contact Jordan Coble, Natural Resources Committee Chair at 250-300-5673

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On August 30th, 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 performed a second release of adult sc’win (sockeye salmon) to the Arrow Lakes. This time we were able to release 41 adult sc’win, bringing the total to 57 adult sc’win released to the Arrow Lakes in 2024.

As with the first release in July, these salmon were released as a part of our work towards kł cp̓əlk̓ stim̓ (cause to come back). The Arrow Lakes historically produced many adult sockeye salmon before access was blocked by the construction of the Grand Coulee Dam. The sockeye were released with acoustic tracking tags that will allow us to track the fish as they migrate through the lake, hopefully homing to spawning tributaries and showing us the way home. It is possible that these fish will survive to spawn and produce natural-origin sockeye salmon from the Arrow Lakes for the first time in 85 years!

From the 16 fish released as part of the first group in July, we have observed exploratory behaviour with all fish being detected outside of the release area. We had 5 individuals migrate 130 km up the Arrow Lakes to nqwaysp (Nakusp), with the first fish arriving there on July 20th, 9 days after release. One fish was detected further up the Lake at qwspíc’aʔ (Arrowhead), 6 days later on July 26th, 185 km from Hugh L Keenleyside Dam. We hope to continue observing exploratory behaviour in the released sockeye in preparation for potential spawning in October.

This work continues to be monumental for the Syilx Nation as adult sc’win are freely swimming in the Arrow Lakes for the first time since 1938. It is our hope that these fish will provide us with data to inform future sockeye fry releases and continue building the story that salmon reintroduction is possible in the Canadian Reaches of the Columbia River.

Adult Sockeye Translocation

For More Info:
Patrick Zubick, Fisheries Biologist, Columbia Region
pzubick@syilx.org or 250-687-4697

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The Syilx Okanagan Nation acknowledges the completion of an Agreement in Principle (AIP) between Canada and the United States to modernize the Columbia River Treaty (CRT), which is a milestone in the Canada-US CRT negotiations:

Statement by the Prime Minister on an agreement-in-principle reached between Canada and the United States on the Columbia River Treaty

Canada, U.S. reach agreement-in-principle to modernize Columbia River Treaty

The Agreement-in-Principle (AIP) announced by Canada and the United States on July 11, 2024, reflects their understanding of negotiations to modernize the Columbia River Treaty (CRT) regime and their agreement-in-principle on the key elements of a Modernized Treaty as of that date.

A public document was created to describe those understandings and key elements. Additional matters may arise during the course of the continued negotiations or in the drafting of the CRT text that may result in further development of those understandings and key elements.

This document contains sections describing updates and changes that Canada and the United States have mutually determined, in principle, to incorporate into a modernized CRT. They cover flood risk management; Canadian flexibility, power coordination and transmission; compensation; power benefit sharing; ecosystem considerations; and time periods.

Since these understandings include elements not present in the existing Treaty, Canada and the United States will work together to reflect these new elements in the preamble of the Modernized Treaty. Updated elements to include are ecosystem health, Indigenous and Tribal cultural values, and adaptive management.

Read more:

Negotiations to Modernize the Columbia River Treaty Agreement-in-Principle Content Public Document

For more information, please visit: Columbia River Treaty Agreement in Principle

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The Okanagan Nation Alliance has a limited number of orange shirts available. Orange shirts are $25-28 each and are pick-up only.

Orders must be 10 or more shirts. Orders less than 10 shirts will not be processed.

About the shirts:
The shirt features a flying bird with rainbow wings, lined with əts ha’ stim iʔ scəcmalaʔ – Every Child Matters and puti kʷu aláʔ – We Are Still Here in the nsyilxcən language. Designed by Billie Kruger

The back of the shirt features a dedication from our Syilx Indian Residential School Survivors Committee – Dedication from our book “Take the Indian Out of the Child” by the Syilx Indian Residential School Survivors.

Deadline To Order: Aug 16/24 at 12 PM

Order Forms:

Online Order Form (Youth and Adult)

Printable Order Form (Adult)

Printable Order Form (Youth)

Alternatively, we are available by email: rmikuletic@syilx.org

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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 released as a part of our work towards kł cp̓əlk̓ stim̓ (cause to come back). The Arrow Lakes historically produced many adult sockeye salmon before access was blocked by the construction of the Grand Coulee Dam. The sockeye were released with acoustic tracking tags that will allow us to track the fish as they migrate through the lake, hopefully homing to spawning tributaries and showing us the way home. It is possible that these fish will survive to spawn and produce wild origin sockeye salmon from the Arrow Lakes for the first time in 85 years!

This is a monumental moment for the Syilx Nation as this is the first-time adult sockeye have been released into the Arrow Lakes since 1938. This work could not have been done without the tireless work of our team and partners. It is our hope that these fish will provide us with data to inform future Sockeye Fry releases and continue building the story that salmon reintroduction is possible in the Canadian Reaches of the Columbia River. 

Adult Sockeye Translocation

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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 granted every year since 2009.

This year the Okanagan Nation Alliance is pleased to announce four bursaries as part of this year’s Building a Better Future Bursary Program. 

The 2024 recipients for the Syilx Highschool Siya Bursaries are:

• Ayla Goss
• Darian Eustache-Peone
• Gracianah Gallicano

The 2024 recipients for the Syilx Post- Secondary Bursaries are:

• Cely-Rae Street
• Courtney Fitzpatrick
• Keira Tailleur
• Luke Cassidy
• Robert Edwards Jr.
• Tiya Manuel
• Vanessa Michel

2024 Bursary Announcement (1)

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The Syilx Okanagan Nation acknowledges the completion of an Agreement in Principle (AIP) between Canada and the United States to modernize the Columbia River Treaty (CRT), which is a milestone in the Canada-US CRT negotiations:

Statement by the Prime Minister on an agreement-in-principle reached between Canada and the United States on the Columbia River Treaty

Canada, U.S. reach agreement-in-principle to modernize Columbia River Treaty

Importantly, the AIP sets out an approach that will result in ecosystem and cultural values being considered in CRT dam operations and measures being taken to support salmon in the Columbia River system. A modernized CRT will not just focus on power production and flood control as is the case currently. These are critically important measures, but there is much more work to do to address CRT impacts on the Nation.

Canada entered into the CRT with the US in 1964 to coordinate flood control and optimize hydroelectric energy production on both sides of the Canada – US border. It was entered into without any consultation with, or consent from, the Syilx Okanagan Nation. It resulted in the construction of three major dams in the Upper Columbia Basin that flooded the Arrow Lakes and converted the Upper Columbia watershed into a massive reservoir system, resulting in the devastation of large swaths of Syilx Okanagan Nation Territory, the loss of Nation members’ ability to exercise rights in areas of the Territory, and desecration of ancestral burial and cultural sites.

Canada and the US started renegotiating the CRT in the spring of 2018, as the guaranteed flood control provisions otherwise terminate in September this year. Through the hard work and dedication of Syilx Okanagan leadership, Canada granted observer status to the Syilx Okanagan Nation (along with the Ktunaxa and Secwepemc Nations) in 2019. This has allowed the CEC’s negotiating team to participate in the negotiations with the US – an international precedent and a testament to the strength of a unified approach.  Canada and BC also committed to seeking the free, prior and informed consent of the Nation to the terms of a modernized CRT.

The Nation’s involvement as observers in the negotiations was important for the protection of the Nation’s Aboriginal title and self-governance rights in the tmxʷulaxʷ. However, the completion of an AIP between Canada and the US is just one step. Although we are on a path of reconciliation with Canada and BC in relation to the CRT, whether true reconciliation will be achieved will depend on the success of ongoing domestic negotiations with Canada and BC on compensation for the impacts to the Nation’s lands, waters, ceremonies and people; long-term revenue sharing of CRT-related benefits; and a meaningful role in decision making on CRT-related matters. The CEC looks forward to making progress in these negotiations over the coming months.

We still have lots of work to do before the Nation can consider providing free, prior and informed consent to a full modernized CRT. In the meantime, much work also remains for Canada and the US to draft the text of the modernized CRT based on the terms set out in the AIP.

July 11, 2024

Columbia River Treaty Agreement in Principle

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The 20th anniversary celebration of the sockeye salmon fry release along the Penticton channel riverbanks was a heartening display of community involvement and commitment to environmental stewardship. This annual release ceremony is part of an ongoing effort to revitalize the sockeye salmon population in local waterways and educate the public about the importance of culture and conservation.

The presence of over 700 students from various schools in the South Okanagan, participating through the Fish in Schools program, reflects a concerted effort to engage and educate the younger generation about the significance of restoring ntytyix, chief salmon and the importance of ceremony. As well as the responsibility we as Syilx people have to the land and water.

Penticton Indian Band Chief Greg Gabriel said that even though the event has been ongoing for 20 years, this was the largest he had seen to date.  The nation was joined by our Fish in Schools program, with over 700 students throughout the south Okanagan in attendance.  Each student was gifted a can of Okanagan Select Salmon.

“It’s just a beautiful sight to see the children here, because they need to learn about these things. They are our future caretakers of the land and this is an important part of it,” Gabriel said.

“The more we educate each other, the general public and even our own community members, it’s going to make it easier for our future to survive, and especially things like our salmon, which is so important for our own people,” Gabriel said.

The ONA’s comprehensive approach, which includes stream restoration, rehabilitation, and dam passage initiatives alongside the fry release, demonstrates a holistic commitment to ensuring the salmon’s long-term survival. The variability in fry numbers from year to year, as noted by Hatchery Biologist Tyson Marsel, underscores the challenges faced in maintaining a sustainable salmon population.

The act of releasing the fry into the channel, accompanied by whispered wishes for their safe return, encapsulates the community’s collective hope for the salmon’s well-being and future abundance. Chief Gabriel’s closing sentiment, expressing a wish for the salmon’s safe return to the community for future feasts, reflects the profound connection between the people and the natural world.

Overall, the anniversary celebration serves as a poignant reminder of the interconnectedness between culture, conservation, and community, emphasizing the importance of collaborative efforts in safeguarding our environment for generations to come.

Other News Published on this Event:

https://www.castanet.net/news/Penticton/485409/Hundreds-attend-milestone-year-for-fry-release-ceremony-at-Penticton-s-Shingle-Creek#:~:text=The%20goal%20is%20to%20eventually,important%20part%20of%20the%20ceremony.

https://www.pentictonherald.ca/news/article_9fe9d044-08b3-11ef-b173-4b6a90b5e158.html

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tkwəɬniwt Westbank, BC: With great support and celebration, the Syilx Okanagan Nation commends the National Park Service and U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service for the Announcement of the Decision to Actively Restore ki?lawna? (Grizzly Bear) to the North Cascades Ecosystem. The Nation looks forward to continuing our collaboration with the U.S. to restore grizzly bear populations to this transboundary ecosystem. We acknowledge the work of the two U.S. agencies: Department of Interior, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, along with the U.S. National Park Service, various ENGOs, and the public for their extensive community engagement, comments, and review of the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), March 21, 2024.

ki?lawna are an integral part of Syilx Okanagan culture and are a critical indicator of the health and well-being of the land and Syilx Okanagan people since time immemorial. “The decision to restore grizzly bears to this sacred part of the landscape is an indicator of our leadership’s commitments that demonstrates a clear example of our Nation’s continuing efforts to uphold our responsibilities for the tmixw. We are beginning a long process of recovery, and we are pleased to embark on this journey together with our US partners” stated Chief Clarence Louie, Okanagan Nation Alliance (ONA) Tribal Chairman. The ONA has been recently apprised that the two agencies have signed a Record of Decision (April 25, 2024) selecting an alternative involving the active restoration of grizzly bears to the ecosystem under a 10(j) nonessential experimental population designation. When hearing about the announcement, ONA Natural
Resources Chair, Councillor Jordan Coble added, “The announcement of the Decision to Actively Restore ki?lawna? to the U.S. North Cascades Ecosystem in the U.S. marks an important moment in history for recovery efforts on both sides of the border. Restoring ki?lawna? to the North Cascades Ecosystem has involved multiple decades of work by many committed people, leading us to where we are now. From the Syilx Okanagan Nation’s perspective, our partnership with our U.S. cohorts on this work demonstrates a clear example of naqsmiʔst xə̌l tmixʷ (coming together for all living things) and that we are collectively righting a wrong and returning ki?lawna to a transboundary ecosystem that depends on their presence. This decision re-confirms our commitment to protecting ki?lawna today and for generations to come.”

The Syilx Okanagan territory is transboundary, as the North Cascades Ecosystem is transboundary, thus requires coordinated efforts on both sides of the Canada-U.S. border. In 2014, the ONA Chief’s Executive Council declared ki?lawna protected across the territory and set a mandate to take action to restore and protect endangered populations, including throughout the North Cascades Ecosystem. ONA has since led recovery and stewardship planning efforts in partnership with our nations communities and neighbouring Nations, including the S’olh Temexw Stewardship Alliance, the Coast to Cascades Grizzly Bear Initiative and Conservation Northwest. We also look forward to continuing to advance collaborative efforts to prepare for Grizzly Bear recovery in the British Columbian portion of the North Cascades with the BC and Federal Governments.

For more information, please contact:
ki law’na, Chief Clarence Louie, ONA Tribal Chair

Councilor, Jordan Coble, ONA NRC Chair
T: 1-250-498-9132 T: 1-250-300-5673

Cailyn Glasser, ONA Natural Resource Manager
T: 1-250-469-1595

ONA Grizzly Bear Backgrounder
FAQ 2024 Northern Cascades Grizzly Bear

Other Related Links: 

ONA Previous News Story Links

https://syilx.org/natural-resources/tmix%CA%B7-wildlife/ki%C9%82lawna%C9%82-grizzly-bear/north-cascades/

https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/environment/tribes-first-nations-chart-path-for-grizzlies-return-to-pnw/

https://syilx.org/restoration-of-ki%C9%82lawna%C9%82-grizzly-bear-to-the-us-north-cascades-ecosystem/

https://globalnews.ca/video/10035040/okanagan-nation-applauds-u-s-proposal-to-restore-grizzly-bears-to-north-cascades

https://www.vernonmorningstar.com/news/hope-for-syilx-okanagan-nation-as-us-looks-to-restore-grizzly-bear-populations-5559436

https://www.castanet.net/news/Penticton/450854/Okanagan-Nation-cheers-return-of-U-S-proposal-to-reintroduce-grizzly-bears-to-North-Cascades

https://www.kelownacapnews.com/community/okanagan-nation-alliance-calls-for-protection-of-grizzly-bears-3214176

https://www.castanet.net/news/Penticton/356985/Okanagan-Nation-calls-on-U-S-to-restart-grizzly-bear-recovery

https://www.king5.com/article/tech/science/environment/federal-officials-grizzly-north-cascades/281-16c5b859-92bc-471a-a033-1b0b841f6cfd

https://kw3.com/grizzlies-are-coming-back-to-the-north-cascades/

https://watershedsentinel.ca/articles/no-borders-for-ki%CA%94lawna%CA%94/

Record of Decision Links

Grizzly Bear Restoration Record of Decision Signed

ParkPlanning – Joint Record of Decision (nps.gov)

US News Release

Agencies announce decision to restore grizzly bears to North Cascades – North Cascades National Park (U.S. National Park Service) (nps.gov)

10j Rule

The final 10(j) rule will be available in the Federal Register and at https://www.regulations.gov/ in the coming days (reference Docket No. FWS-R1-ES-2023-0074).

US GB Project Page

https://parkplanning.nps.gov/projectHome.cfm?projectID=112008

EIS Page

https://www.fws.gov/project/north-cascades-grizzly-bear-restoration-eis

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