“We are the unconquered aboriginal people of this land, our mother; The creator has given us our mother, to enjoy, to manage and to protect; we, the first inhabitants, have lived with our mother from time immemorial; our Okanagan governments have allowed us to share equally in the resources of our mother; we have never given up our rights to our mother, our mother’s resources, our governments and our religion; we will survive and continue to govern our mother and her resources for the good of all for all time.”
– excerpt from the Okanagan Nation Declaration
The Okanagan Nation Declaration serves as a foundational statement asserting the Syilx Okanagan Nation’s inherent sovereignty, self-determination, and stewardship over their traditional lands and resources.
On August 23, 1987, the following declaration of Okanagan aboriginal rights was signed by representatives of all seven Canadian bands: Okanagan Indian Band, Westbank First Nation, snpink’tn Indian Band, Osoyoos Indian Band, Upper Nicola Band, and Lower and Upper Similkameen Indian Band. The Syilx Okanagan people signed the declaration at Komasket Park, declaring their sovereignty.
The Okanagan Nation Declaration serves as a foundational statement asserting the Syilx Okanagan Nation’s inherent sovereignty, self-determination, and stewardship over their traditional lands and resources. The declaration articulates the Nation’s commitment to preserving cultural heritage, language, and spiritual practices while addressing contemporary challenges such as environmental degradation, social injustice, and economic inequality. It emphasizes the importance of intergenerational knowledge transmission and the revitalization of traditional governance structures to ensure the well-being of present and future generations.
Furthermore, the declaration underscores the Syilx Okanagan Nation’s determination to engage in respectful and collaborative relationships with governmental authorities, neighboring communities, and other stakeholders based on principles of mutual respect, recognition, and reconciliation. It calls for the recognition of Indigenous rights and title, the implementation of meaningful consultation and consent processes, and the equitable sharing of benefits derived from the use of Indigenous lands and resources.
Overall, the Okanagan Nation Declaration stands as a testament to the resilience, strength, and unity of the Syilx Okanagan people, reaffirming our inherent rights and responsibilities as stewards of our ancestral homelands and contributing to the ongoing dialogue on Indigenous rights and reconciliation in Canada and beyond.