WHEN: Thursday, May 5th, 2022. 9:30 am – 10:30 am.
WHAT: Syilx Okanagan Nation members, and nearlyt 400 students from 13 local schools, will take part in a ceremonial release of 10,000 sc’win (sockeye) fry. These fry have been raised as part of Okanagan Nation Alliance’s (ONA) Fish in Schools (FinS) Program, along with fry from the kł cp̓əlk̓ stim̓ Hatchery.
As part of our conservation efforts the kł cp̓əlk̓ stim̓ Hatchery will release 367,000 sc’win fry throughout the Okanagan and Columbia basins. These releases began this last March and will continue to take place into June, 2022.
WHERE: At the confluence of akɬ xʷuminaʔ (Shingle Creek) and Penticton Channel, off Hwy 97 & Green Mountain Road, Penticton, BC. Please drive slowly. Parking will be available along the left side of the dyke and behind the Save on Gas station.
WHY: This release provides an opportunity for the Syilx people to gather and affirm our deep connections with ntyitix (Chief Salmon) and our responsibility to be stewards of our lands and waters. These ceremonies — with our language, captikwł (oral history), songs and prayers — are also an integral part of revitalizing our culture. For thousands of years these ceremonies and customs have been brought forward for our children, and we are committed to ensuring that this work continues.
The Syilx Okanagan Nation’s fry releases provide a wide range of learning and engagement opportunities. Through programs such as FinS, youth take part in raising the fry and learning about the development of salmon from smolt to fry. By participating at the Sockeye Fry Release they can connect to Syilx Okanagan cultural practices, as well as learning more about the Syilx Okanagan Nation.
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ONA’s kł cp̓əlk̓ stim̓ Hatchery is central to our conservation efforts. The 25,000 square foot hatchery has the capacity to rear 8 million eggs and is currently equipped to handle all fish culture aspects required for 5 million eggs from brood stock management until fry release. For more information please visit: https://syilx.org/fisheries/hatchery/
Media Contact:
Tara Montgomery, ONA Communications Lead
E: tmontgomery@syilx.org
T: 250-862-6866