Join our celebration and honor the sacredness of the River

It is one of the goals of the Syilx (Okanagan) Nation to carry on the work of the peoples ancestors and Elders who taught the importance of  preserving and revitalizing the traditions, customs, and  language of the Syilx people. The Salmon Feast honours the sacredness of the river at sx̌ʷəx̌ʷnitkʷ (Okanagan Falls), which is a culturally significant site for the Syilx (Okanagan) People, and an important traditional fishing camp, gathering place and trading site. The Salmon Feast is a three-day event that involves multiple activities including: traditional performances and ceremonies, a canoe paddle, stick game tournament, and on the final day (Sunday) a salmon feast and ceremony for snxa?l’iwlem (to honour the sacredness of the river).

The Annual  Salmon Feast is an essential practice in the continued  organized efforts of the Okanagan Nation Alliance and member communities  to raise the importance of the habitat protection and rehabilitation of  local ecosystems, watersheds and a renew connections and relationships  between all  residents of the Region with water and fish. It is vitally important that we honour the salmon so they will always come back to feed the people.

Every year ONA commissions a Syilx artist to produce the artwork for the Salmon Feast Poster. To see the beautiful variety of these artworks please see the Salmon Feast Artwork Gallery below:

ONA Salmon Feast Artwork Gallery