OKIB affirms syilx title and rights in response to Splatsin Homes event

Media Release

August 14, 2025

Read the Media Release in PDF form

The Okanagan Indian Band (OKIB) reaffirms that the lands on which the newly announced Splatsin Homes initiative is operating are within the unceded, ancestral territory of the Syilx Nation, for which OKIB holds inherent stewardship responsibilities. These boundaries are not ambiguous — Okanagan territory is clearly defined by natural landmarks and described in our captikʷł, the oral histories and teachings passed down through generations. captikʷł is central to Syilx law, governance, and stewardship, and it continues to guide our responsibilities to the land, waters, and all living things within our territory.

While we recognize the urgent need for safe, quality housing for all Indigenous peoples, we are deeply concerned that this initiative was undertaken within Syilx territory without any prior discussion, engagement, or notification to the Syilx People or our governing bodies. Public events and announcements in our territory must accurately represent its history and the Nation that holds title to it. When that recognition is missing, it not only misrepresents the facts but also creates a false understanding for the public, governments, and partners about whose authority applies here.

The Okanagan Indian Band has maintained continuous connection, stewardship, and governance of this territory since time immemorial. These responsibilities are recognized under Syilx law, enshrined in our captikʷł, and affirmed by the Okanagan Nation Alliance (ONA) as part of the broader Syilx territory. They are further supported by the Royal Proclamation of 1763, which recognized that Indigenous Nations retain title to their lands unless formally ceded through treaty. No such treaty exists for these lands.

Inter-Nation respect and cooperation require that projects initiated within another Nation’s territory begin with meaningful engagement. This is not simply a matter of protocol, but a reflection of our shared responsibilities as Indigenous Peoples to uphold each other’s jurisdiction, respect territorial boundaries, and strengthen relationships between Nations. We expect that any future activities, developments, or business ventures proposed within Syilx territory will involve early engagement with the Syilx People and the Okanagan Indian Band as the local governing authority.

We remain open to dialogue with Splatsin leadership to clarify the scope of the Splatsin Homes initiative, its intended locations, and explore potential opportunities for cooperation that respect Syilx Title and Rights.

About the Okanagan Indian Band

The Okanagan Indian Band (OKIB) is a Syilx Nation government located in the North Okanagan region of British Columbia. With over 2,000 members, OKIB exercises inherent rights and responsibilities to its lands, waters, and people, guided by Syilx laws and captikwl. Our unceded territory is clearly defined by natural landmarks and has been continuously governed, protected, and stewarded by the Syilx people since time immemorial.

About captikwl

Captikʷł are a collection of teachings about Syilx Okanagan laws, customs, values, governance structures, and principles that, together, define and inform Syilx Okanagan rights and responsibilities to the land and to our culture.

Regards,
OKIB Chief Dan Wilson