tqʷəlqʷiltmnt

The Okanagan Nation Alliance, in collaboration with FortisBC, is organizing a business engagement event specifically for Syilx-led entrepreneurs and business owners. This event aims to provide insights into FortisBC’s procurement and contracting processes while fostering direct networking opportunities between local Syilx contractors and FortisBC staff.

Who should attend?

Syilx Nation Member-owned businesses, Syilx entrepreneurs, and/or Syilx members interested in career opportunities.

Please RVSP no later than March 26th via Registration Form or Email (Sami): indigenous.initiatives@fortisbc.com or (Raf): rdeguevara@syilx.org

Join us for a virtual session on accessing substance use treatment

The session aims to equip frontline workers, team leads, and managers with the knowledge and resources to help Syilx Nation members access residential or bed-based treatment for substance use. This includes providing guidance on navigating these systems, gathering community feedback on the barriers faced, and collectively brainstorming ways to reduce those barriers.

Who should attend?

• frontline workers who support individuals dealing with substance use
• healthcare providers
• others that assist Syilx Nation members in accessing residential and bed-based services

To sign up, please email:

David Croteau

Nation Planner

E: dcroteau@syilx.org

January 27, (1)
January 27, (2)

ax̌aʔ l kʷu syilx itmxʷu̓laxʷtət, istəɬtaɬtət, lut pnkin tə x̌ʷickmntm km tə tumi̓stmntm. məɬ kl ts x̌ʷuys, l̓a kin ts sx̌əlx̌a̓lt

This is our Syilx life place, our laws/responsible life-ways have never been given away or sold. These ways are forever, until the end of days.

The Chiefs Executive Council (CEC) have been approached by the elders to meet about title and rights matters, including those concerning the Syilx Territory. This two-day event will offer an opportunity for CEC Legal and Policy updates aimed at supporting the Syilx Nation in our efforts to advance our Syilx Inherent Rights. Breakfast and lunch will be provided.

We encourage all Syilx Nation Leadership and members to attend.

The Syilx Okanagan Nation and the Wild Sheep Society of BC are excited to invite you to join us in honoring yilíkʷlxkn (Bighorn Sheep) and to officially open the yilíkʷlxkn pens for the upcoming Psoroptic Mange Drug Trials.

We will celebrate the anticipated arrival of the yilíkʷlxkn to the pens, sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Okanagan Nation Alliance and the Wild Sheep Society of BC, and provide a guided tour of the pens. Light refreshments will be served afterwards.

Click Here For Sheep Pen Location

The ONA IRS team is working with communities to organize a series of sharing circles focused on discussing residential schools and their lasting impacts. These circles aim to provide a safe and supportive environment for open dialogue, where individuals can share their experiences, listen to others, and engage in collective healing. By coming together in these circles, we hope to foster a sense of understanding, connection, and resilience within our communities. Everyone is encouraged to participate and contribute to this important process of healing and reconciliation. Join us for an evening information session to network, learn more about the circles, and to hear updates from the ONA IRS team.

Dissolve is a one-woman play of 16 characters that addresses the serious issues of sexual consent, drink spiking and drug-facilitated sexual assault.

Join us for empowering discussions around the issues of consent, drink spiking, and sexual assault. This play will provide education about how these issues are presenting today and how it is impacting our youth.

Evening performance (everyone) from 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm

Please Note: This event will contain sensitive subject matter. Our Okanagan Nation Response Team (ONRT) will be on-site to support with critical response as well as our You Empowered Strong (YES) Team.

Afternoon show for youth only, evening show open to everyone!

kʷu əc ̕ ulluʔs

The Syilx Youth Winter Gathering is the ultimate hangout spot to dive into Syilx traditions, forge new bonds, and empower the youth through fun activities and unforgettable experiences!

This event will feature a mix of cultural teachings, creative expression, wellness-focused activities, and fun group challenges, all designed to foster confidence, cultural pride, and unity among Syilx youth.

Open to All Syilx Youth Ages 13-19

This event has reached capacity, including our waitlist. Please stay tuned for our next youth event in summer 2025!

The Chiefs Executive Council (CEC) have been approached by the elders to meet about title and rights matters, including the Syilx Territory. This two day event will provide space to have CEC Legal and Policy updates to assist the Syilx Nation in our efforts to advance our Syilx Inherent Rights.

Breakfast and lunch will be provided. More info coming soon!

We encourage all Syilx Nation Leadership and members to attend.

nəqsil̓t

This info session will provide families and communities with information regarding upcoming reforms in Child and Family services including:

• Who is the Our Children Our Way Secretariat and what do they do?
• Examples of different child and family jurisdiction pathways.
• Where are we as a Nation in our jurisdiction pathway & where we want to go?
• What do we need to get there? What do we want want to see moving forward?

We aim to gather information and feedback from Syilx Nation members on the next steps to implement Syilx nəqsil̓t | Family supports and services.

Open to Syilx Nation members!

səxʷkənxit əlx

This is a two-day interactive workshop in suicide first aid. This workshop teaches participants to recognize when someone may have thoughts of suicide and work with them to create a plan that will support their immediate safety through an indigenous lens to well-being. This workshop will allow participants to create safe from suicide conversations.

As a trained responder, you will be better able to:

• Understand how beliefs and values effect views on suicide and interventions.
• Provide guidance and suicide first-aid to a person at risk in ways that meet their individual safety needs.
• Identify the key elements of an effective suicide safety plan and the actions required to implement it.

Additional Information:

• This workshop is fully funded by ONA and is open to the Okanagan Nation Response Team members, ONA Mental Health and Okanagan Nation Members (1-2 persons per band)
• Lunch Provided

Spaces Limited – Must Register to Attend!

ku k̓ʷac k̓ʷáct ku łac̓ uĺus

ONA is hosting several healing circles in community to discuss residential schools and impacts. The circles are meant to be a safe space for talking, sharing and healing together.

The main question will be “How has the discovery of the 215 affected you?” Mental health and cultural supports will be available during the circles.

Lunch will be provided.

Open to Syilx Nation members and community members.

PLEASE NOTE: The November 22 session will still occur as planned but we will be rescheduling the November 8 session due to a funeral in community this week. We will provide updates as soon as possible.

siwɬkʷ Water Responsibility Planning

The purpose of this engagement is to get direction and input from Syilx community members into a kɬúsx̌nítkʷ (Okanagan Lake) Water Responsibility Plan. We want to hear from Syilx community members on their kɬúsx̌nítkʷ knowledge; areas of priority to protect and restore; what are the watershed issues; and Syilx-led solutions.

Syilx Women Meeting: July 26th from 9:30 am to 2:00 pm at the En’owkin Centre
Women have sacred relationships, responsibilities and roles to siwɬkʷ. We want to hold a safe space for our women siwɬkʷ knowledge keepers and champions to come together and talk about kɬúsx̌nítkʷ. Open to Syilx women, youth and 2SLGBTQIA+ community members.

kɬúsx̌nítkʷ Syilx Traditional Ecological Knowledge Meeting: August 9th from 9:30 am to 2:00 pm at the WFN Elders Hall
This meeting is open to Syilx Nation members and elders who carry knowledge of kɬúsx̌nítkʷ and who care deeply for kɬúsx̌nítkʷ and the tmixʷ that depend on it. Join us for a day to learn more on the process and share your knowledge on kɬúsx̌nítkʷ.

Spaces limited to 20 Syilx Nation Members. Honoraria will be provided.

sqlqltmixʷ naɬ tẃtẃit ʔúluʔs

This is an on-the-land event to bring our men together to promote syilx culture, traditional wellness, and nation connectedness.

The Gathering aims foster a sense of unity, identity, and wellness amongst Syilx men and boys through an immersive, organic-driven, on-the-land experience. By creating safe spaces for cultural connection, community building, skill development, sqlɬcawtət learning activities, we aim to strengthen the bond amongst our men and deepen their connection to Syilx traditions and values.

Open to Syilx Nation members that identify as men, 2SLGBTQIA+ and male caregivers of Syilx Nation boys. All participants must be 14 years and older.

knknxtwixʷ íʔ təm’tum’ x̌əl sqʷsqʷaʔsíaʔ tət

The Syilx Birthing Gathering is going to focus on knowledge sharing for those who are expecting, preparing themselves or supporting someone before, during and after their pregnancy.

Topics of discussion include pelvic health, post-partum, breast feeding, Syilx protocols and an overall open discussion to share ones thoughts or experiences. Please note that this is the first gathering that is focusing on birthing and is a starting place for future sessions.

This gathering is open to Syilx life givers (those who have or plan to give birth to Syilx babies)

The following participants are welcome in this space:
1. Syilx life givers
2. Life givers giving birth to Syilx babies
3. Staff of a Syilx community directly supporting Syilx life givers (i.e. maternal child health, nurses, sexual and reproductive health staff)

Calling all Syilx Elders to join us for another fall luncheon. We can visit, laugh, and share stories! The n̓xaʔcín̓ luncheon will feature music, bingo, and door prizes!

Open to Syilx Nation elders.

Lifting up the voices of our elders

Open to Syilx Nation Members only

The ONA Open Houses will feature booths from all ONA departments that will showcase each program and service that is provided to Syilx Nation members and throughout the territory. There will be an opportunity to have individual discussions with staff and gather together to share information!

Featured Booths:

• Wellness Programs and Services
• Natural Resources
• Fisheries
• Communications and Events
• Books and ONA Swag

Dates:

Penticton Indian Band – August 8 at PIB Community Hall

Upper Nicola Band – April 11th at N’kwala School

Lower Similkameen Indian Band – April 12th at LSIB Gymnasium

Okanagan Indian Band – May 9th at Head of the Lake Hall

Osoyoos Indian Band – May 11th at OIB Community Hall

Westbank First Nation – Date and Location TBC

The objective of the Syilx forestry standards is to provide a framework within which forestry practices can be guided by Syilx principles and values. Through the collective development and implementation of the Syilx forestry standards, a commitment to ethical forestry practices within this framework is made by all licensees operating on Syilx Territory.

The goal for this meeting is to discuss 10 guiding Forestry Principles – before we develop the Principles into more detailed Forestry Standards. This meeting is intended to be a discussion with TEK to learn:
– If we are on the right track
– Are we missing anything?
– Do we proceed and develop Forestry Standards
– How do we proceed?

The You Empowered Strong team is hosting a virtual speaker series to build strength by having these speakers share their expertise to increase community members capacity and empower Syilx Nation members’ in their healing journey.

Click Here to for the Zoom Link (same link for all speakers)

Virtual Speakers:

March 20 – kisakihikawin (You are Loved) with Charlotte Whitehead

“I am a Cree woman, mother, auntie, cousin, friend, co-worker and a helper. My goal in life is to learn about my culture; to practice and share the teachings through my work and as a mother, auntie. I like to compare mainstream methods of healing and helping to our own ways, our First Nation way. I find there is a huge similarity; what we need to know for guidance and coping is in our teachings and ceremonies. I believe by learning and practicing our teachings, ceremonies, our life stages and the 7 teachings – we will find the guidance we seek.”

March 21 – Trauma Informed Care with Monica Bhatara

Monica has over 25 years of experience working in the community-based social services field as a Therapist and Community Educator. She is a Registered Therapeutic Counsellor, Certified Synergetic Play Therapist, and Focusing-Oriented Therapist.

March 22 – niʕáy̓p kʷu aláʔ (We have always been here): Creating space in the circle for Syilx, Suknqinx, Sqilxw 2SLGBTQQIA+ relatives and kin with Dr. Percy Lezard

Dr. Percy Lezard whose pronouns are They, Them, Theirs, is a sqilxw registered with Penticton Indian Band in unceded B.C., their parents are IRS & Day School Survivors; Val Baptiste, Moses Baptiste, Pierre Kruger and grandparents are Ernie Lezard/Elizabeth Manual, Annie George/Jacob Kruger, & Katherine Manual/George Baptiste. They are an assistant professor and chair of Indigenous Studies at Laurier University. They are a national and global leader as their work centers Indigenous knowledge, Two spirit pedagogies, community Indigenous health, missing and murdered women, girls and 2SLGBTQQIA+, and gender-based violence in 2SLGBTQQIA+ communities.

March 23 – Responding to Sexual Violence with You Empowered Strong 

The cycle of sexual violence continues to occur in Indigenous communities due to the legacy of Indian Residential Schools, the 60’s scoop, Day Schools, and the Indian Act. This training will look at some of the immediate ways to support sexual violence disclosures while incorporating our traditional Syilx values.

*Due to concerns about one of our speakers, they have been removed from the Speaker Series. The Speaker Series will now run from March 20 – 23, 2023. If you have any further questions, please contact Jennifer Lewis at Wellness.Manager@syilx.org

Bighorn sheep in the southern Okanagan have steadily declined in recent years. There are ongoing health issues affecting California bighorn sheep in the Okanagan Valley known as Psoroptic (“sore-op-tic”) Mange and Mycoplasma ovipneumoniae (M. ovi). This decline is theorized to be due in part to infection by pneumonia and Psoroptes mites as contributing factors to poor yilíkʷlxkn – Bighorn Sheep health. Since the 2011 discovery of the first psoroptic mange case in the Okanagan, the yilíkʷlxkn – Bighorn Sheep population has declined by around 60%. The majority of this decline, around 40%, was seen between 2011 and 2015. Other strains of this Psoroptes parasite have caused the decline and even collapse in yilíkʷlxkn – Bighorn Sheep populations in the United States.

Live Screening: Transmission

A film by the Wild Sheep Society of BC. The Wild Sheep Society of BC is one of BC’s leading conservation organizations. One of their action items is to continue the study of a pandemic happening amongst wild sheep. The infectious bacteria known as mycoplasma ovipneumoniae (movi) is a bacteria that is passed from domestic sheep to wild sheep. Wild sheep do not have the immune systems to fight the bacteria, thus leaving them susceptible to pneumonia which, in most cases, leads to death.

Transmission: A story of Mycoplasma Ovipneumoniae and Sheep – Official Trailer

Presentation: Okanagan Bighorn

A presentation about the current state of Okanagan bighorn sheep (yilíkʷlxkn). In recent years, bighorn sheep in the southern Okanagan have steadily declined. There is are ongoing health issues affecting California bighorn sheep in the Okanagan Valley known as Psoroptic (“sore-op-tic”) Mange and Mycoplasma ovipneumoniae (M. ovi).

Gathering and Supporting Frontline Workers

This event will have training to support capacity, visioning, team building exercises, cultural healing, and a focus on personal wellness in a field of providing support to Syilx Nation members in crisis. Our Syilx culture and traditions have been handed down to us for generations, and it’s critical to use a cultural informed response to disclosures of crisis or violence and remember practices that we can do for self.

Honouring kiʔláwnaʔ (grizzly bear) Ceremony

The Syilx Nation would like to invite you to join us for a ceremony to honour and pray for kiʔláwnaʔ in the territory.

Hosted at Dixon Terbasket’s residence located directly across the Hwy from the Lower Similkameen Indian Band Office at 1420 Crowsnest Hwy 3

Fire started at 7:00am

The You Empowered Strong Program, in partnership with the South Okanagan Restorative Justice Program are hosting a bi-weekly Healthy Relationship Series. Come learn some tools to help and strengthen family and/or personal relationships.

All sessions include dinner. Participants are encouraged to attend all sessions as they are cumulative. There is no virtual option to attend.

Open to all Okanagan Nation Members and Community Members Ages 15+
Please Note: Workshop is limited to 10 couples/relationships

The one-day training workshop will provide procurement information and tools necessary to become successful when bidding for BC Hydro projects and other opportunities in the territory. It will also provide an opportunity for Syilx members and businesses to network with other companies and employers operating in the territory.

Featuring:
– Keynote Presentations
– Panel Discussions
– Networking Opportunities
– Employment Opportunities
– BC Hydro Procurement Team Training Session

Open to Syilx Nation Members, Community Members, Community Partners, Indigenous Business Owners – Everyone Welcome!

The Chiefs Executive Council and the Natural Resources Committee are hosting a strategic planning session, to review the NRC structure, mandate and guiding principles. They are seeking input and feedback from Syilx Nation members.

Open to Syilx Nation members