The conservation, protection, restoration, and enhancement of indigenous fisheries (anadromous and resident) and aquatic resources within Syilx Okanagan Nation Territory.

Construction of dams, channelization, urban encroachment, industrial agriculture, and ineffective water management practices have all contributed to depletion and extinction of fish stocks within the Okanagan River basin.

The ONA work to provide technical fisheries assistance for the Nation and its eight member communities and acts as a liaison between federal and provincial fisheries agencies and other NGOs. We are actively involved in the conservation, protection, restoration, and enhancement of fish stocks, and in particular with Okanagan River sockeye salmon.

The Okanagan River sockeye population is one of only two remaining populations of sockeye salmon in the international Columbia River Basin. Historically, chinook, coho, chum and steelhead were also indigenous salmon species in the Columbia River system, including the Okanagan Basin, but today they are either extinct or found in very low numbers.