Natural Resources

The Natural Resources Department is developing innovative processes, mechanisms and tools to empower Syilx voices in land and resource management.

The Syilx Okanagan Nation has the inherent jurisdiction to manage the land and resources within its territory. We consider the tmxʷulaxʷ as the foundation of our way of life and culture.

The Natural Resources Department supports the Nation in its efforts to conserve, manage, co-manage and where appropriate, develop the natural resources of the 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 economic 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.

The Natural Resource Department is a technical resource to the ONA and each of the ONA member communities. We continually develop key processes and tools, which are specifically designed to assist and support resource management strategies, decision-making, and management for the Territory and member communities.

Project Highlights

Wápupxn (Lynx) Transboundary Monitoring Trial

Working with the Derickson Family Trap line from Westbank First Nation and others we caught and radio collared three wápupxn, lynx, in an effort to understand how they use the Kettle River landscape and to determine genetic relationship to lynx within under-occupied habitat in Syilx territory in Washington State. The outlook is to continue to […]

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BC Hydro Enduring Relationship

nk̕ʷəɬt̕wistmntəm We are standing together with them on this “This [agreement] serves as a strong reminder of the power of the unity our Nations possess. As a result, BC Hydro has committed to a new era of reconciliation, trust and meaningful strategic engagement for all their activities on our territories.” Dr. Grand Chief Stewart Phillip, […]

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