IndigiNews recently published a feature highlighting ONA’s stunx (beaver) mimicry initiative—a restoration project that seeks to bring back the ecological and cultural benefits of beavers to Syilx territory.  Check out the article HERE: People are imitating beavers to help them return – Indiginews  For more information about ONA’s beaver mimicry project click HERE: Coteay Creek […]

SYILX OKANAGAN NATION TERRITORY: Chiefs of the Syilx Okanagan Nation are aware of the recent developments regarding the proposed ostrich cull at Universal Ostrich Farms Inc., in Syilx Okanagan Nation Territory, including the interim stay issued by the Supreme Court of Canada. The Nation does not take a position on the ostrich cull itself. As […]

ARROW LAKES – SYILX OKANAGAN NATION TERRITORY: Chief Clarence Louie, Tribal Chair of the Chiefs Executive Council (CEC) of the Syilx Okanagan Nation issued the following statement in response to legal challenges filed against the BC government, over transborder consultation, by the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation: “As Rights and Title holders, and as the […]

Urgent Meeting Requested About Drought Levels in the Okanagan and Similkameen by Syilx Chiefs Executive Council with Honourable Randene Neill, Minister of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship. 

After years of dedication, advocacy, planning, and overcoming countless challenges, this milestone stands as a testament to the strength and perseverance of the Syilx Nation and all those committed to restoring our ecosystems. Yesterday morning, over 200 people joined us to witness this historic moment. For the first time in generations, salmon now have permanent, […]

snpintktn (Penticton): After years of hard work, advocacy, planning, and now successful implementation while overcoming challenges, the new Okanagan Dam Fish Passage is about to open! The water will be released and permanently flowing, providing salmon unimpeded access from Okanagan River into their Okanagan Lake historical spawning habitat. The Okanagan Nation Alliance (ONA) invites you […]

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 […]

SYILX OKANAGAN NATION: Okanagan Nation Alliance (ONA) Fisheries Team are raising concerns over the 2025 return of sc̓win (sockeye salmon) as numbers are tracking far below forecasts, and a thermal barrier in the Okanogan River has halted their migration home. As a result, the ONA will not be coordinating a harvest for community distribution, or […]

snpintktn (Penticton): Construction on the Okanagan Lake Dam near Riverside Drive has been delayed due to unexpected challenges. Originally set to conclude by the end of June, the removal of historic dam materials from 1928, including creosote-treated timbers and buried concrete slabs, has resulted in a two-week extension for the construction project. As a result, […]

 snpnk’tn, syilx Okanagan Territory/Penticton, BC – The syilx Okanagan Nation Chiefs Executive Council expresses unwavering support for the Penticton Indian Band (PIB) and its leadership in the wake of recent statements made by MLAs Tara Armstrong, Jordan Kealy, and Dallas Brodie. These statements dangerously mischaracterize First Nations sovereignty, equating it with unrelated political issues and […]

The Building a Better Future Bursary is an initiative by the Okanagan Nation Alliance (ONA) aimed at supporting Syilx Okanagan Nation members in their educational pursuits. Established in 2009, this program offers financial assistance to both high school graduates and post-secondary students who demonstrate dedication, leadership, and community involvement. High School Bursaries (2024/25) For students […]

snpinktn (Penticton), British Columbia — The Okanagan Nation Alliance (ONA) proudly launches the 21st Annual Fry Release Ceremonies at Skaha Lake East Marina, highlighting over two decades of salmon restoration leadership and Syilx cultural revitalization. This year marks significant growth in community engagement, with over 64 schools from both the Okanagan and Upper Columbia participating […]

(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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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, […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]