Okanagan Indian Band

Calling our ntytyix Home
2025-06-23 11:00 - 12:00, 2025-06-23 14:00 - 15:00, 2025-06-24 11:00 - 12:00, 2025-06-25 11:00 - 12:00, 2025-06-26 11:00 - 12:00 (America/Vancouver)
Calling our ntytyix Home

DATE: June 20-26, 2025

TIME: 11:00 am

LOCATION: Varies

CONTACT: Mikkeila Ridsdale at mridsdale@syilx.org or 250-707-0095 ext. 127

We honour our ancestors with this annual ceremony in which we gather in five separate locations along the Columbia River to help pray for the return of the salmon, two on the United States side and three on the Canadian side. This five-day event starts at Kettle Falls, Washington which is organized by the Inchelium Language House Association and then takes place in Castlegar, Revelstoke, and at McIntyre Dam in BC and Enloe Dam in Washington on successive dates. These locations were chosen for their traditional location our people used to gather at to fish. Both these days start by gathering along the banks of the river to pray for the return of the fish. Everyone is welcome to attend, so please bring your drum and help us pray for the return of the salmon. Registration is not needed.

For more information and Google Map links to each location, please visit: https://syilx.org/events/salmon-calling-ceremony/

Komasket Pow wow Loonie Auction
2025-07-22 17:00 - 18:30 | Head of the Lake Hall, 118 Head of the Lake Road
Komasket Pow wow Loonie Auction
July 22nd @ Head of the Lake Hall
Dinner served at 5:00pm, auction at 6:00pm. Donations accepted for the raffle.

ONA Annual General Meeting and Syilx Youth Leadership Conference
2025-07-23 08:00 - 17:00, 2025-07-24 08:00 - 17:00
ONA Annual General Meeting and Syilx Youth Leadership Conference

July 23rd and 24th at Upper Nicola Band

The Annual General Assembly takes place each year, along with the Syilx Youth Leadership Gathering. The event brings together the Syilx Okanagan Nation to celebrate our accomplishments and provide an opportunity for Nation members to come together. The AGA is hosted by each of the Syilx Okanagan communities on a rotating basis.

Registration links for the events will be available soon on the ONA’s site: https://syilx.org/events/annual-general-assembly/

For More Info on AGA:

Raven Mikuletic

rmikuletic@syilx.org

250-707-0095 ext. 121

For More Info on SYLG:

Hailey Wright

haileyW@syilx.org

250-707-0095 ext. 233

Annual General Assembly & Syilx Youth Leadership Gathering
2025-07-23 09:00 - 16:00, 2025-07-24 09:00 - 16:00
Annual General Assembly & Syilx Youth Leadership Gathering
DATE: July 23-24, 2025
TIME: 9 am – 4 pm
LOCATION: Nicola Valley Institute of Technology (NVIT)
CONTACT: Raven Mikuletic at rmikuletic@syilx.org or 250-707-0095 ext. 121

The Annual General Assembly takes place each year, along with the Syilx Youth Leadership Gathering. The event brings together the Syilx Okanagan Nation to celebrate our accomplishments and provide an opportunity for Nation members to come together. The AGA is hosted by each of the Syilx Okanagan communities on a rotating basis. The 2025 AGA and YLG will be hosted by the Upper Nicola Band.

Accommodations
Special rates have been secured at the following hotels:

Best Western Plus Merritt Hotel | 3969 Crawford Ave. Merritt BC V1K 0A4 | 250.378.0700

*Book through the link above. Special rate available until July 10, 2025.

Comfort Inn & Suites Merritt | 3713 Dewolf Way, Merritt, BC, V1K 1A3 | 250.315.0237

*Call the hotel and mention the event name “AGA Okanagan Nation Alliance”. Special rate available until July 1, 2025.

Registration coming very soon, please stay tuned to our Facebook page and website to join us!

Salmon Warriors Fall Gathering
2025-10-15 00:00 - 23:59, 2025-10-16 00:00 - 23:59, 2025-10-17 00:00 - 23:59, 2025-10-18 00:00 - 23:59, 2025-10-19 00:00 - 23:59 | Penticton
APPLY NOW! SALMON WARRIORS FALL GATHERING OCT. 15-19, 2025

APPLICATION DEADLINE: Mon. Sept. 15, 2025
EVENT DATES: 3pm Wed. Oct. 15 to 12pm Sun. Oct. 19, 2025
LOCATION: Penticton, BC; Okanagan River (near Oliver, BC)

The Salmon Warriors Fall Gathering 2025 is open to Syilx Okanagan, Ktunaxa, and Secwépemc young adults ages 19-29 yrs. New and returning Salmon Warriors are encouraged to apply. Dams have blocked our salmon from returning to the upper Columbia River for over 86 years; the salmon need their people. Join other young adults from our three Nations to learn and connect with one another, the water and the land about what it will take to bring our salmon home.

What to Expect: This year’s Salmon Warriors Fall Gathering will be hosted in Penticton, BC. We’ll be getting hands-on experience in the Okanagan River near Oliver, and at the Okanagan Nation Alliance’s kł cp̓əlk̓ stim̓ Fish Hatchery, at Penticton Indian Band. The first day on Wednesday is check in, opening and dinner. The next day is team building and cultural activities. The third and fourth days are spent assisting the ONA Fisheries Team with the annual salmon broodstock collection at the river and the hatchery. The final day will be breakfast, closing and check out. Full attendance and participation is required throughout.
Check out this short video from last year’s Salmon Warriors Gathering
https://vimeo.com/1040549801?share=copy#t=0
Support: Transportation support, food, accommodation, and honorariums, will be provided to applicants who are accepted and participate in the Salmon Warriors Fall Gathering 2025. Boots and waders will be provided. Prepare to dress warmly.

FILL OUT AND SUBMIT THE APPLICATION AT THIS LINK BY SEPT. 15, 2025
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe0BUrUqtMF-44sKZiDhrTeUpYqwNCoWtnMKXJUqOdj4DCr_g/viewform?usp=header

For more info, please contact your Nation’s Bringing the Salmon Home Outreach & Engagement Organizer

Syilx Okanagan: Billie Jean Gabriel – billiejeangabriel@outlook.com
Secwépemc: Valerie Michel – crt@shuswapnation.org
Ktunaxa: Clifford Dorion – Clifford.dorion@ktunaxa.org

n̓xaʔcín̓ (Elder) Luncheon
2025-11-05 11:00 - 14:00
n̓xaʔcín̓ (Elder) Luncheon

DATE: November 5, 2025

TIME: 11:00 am – 2:00 pm

LOCATION: LSIB Gymnasium, 1420 BC-3, Cawston, BC

CONTACT: Julianne Brewer, Communications Coordinator at jbrewer@syilx.org or 250-707-0095 ext. 122

Calling all Syilx Elders to join us for a Fall luncheon where we can visit, laugh, and share stories! The November 5th elders luncheon will feature music, bingo, and door prizes!Open to Syilx Nation elders.DISCLAIMERS:1. Where food is provided at ONA events, we will always try to include a vegetarian option and gluten free option, however, given that we do not control all cooking environments, we cannot make any guarantees.2. We will try to ensure that all event locations are accessible, however, given the wide variety of locations and spaces ONA events are held at, we cannot make any guarantees.

You can find the link for registration here

Christmas Craft Fair
2025-12-07 09:00 - 15:00
Christmas Craft Fair
December 7th, 9:00 am to 3:00 pm at Head of the Lake Hall
Entry is $2
Concession available
Door prizes and 50/50 Draw
Craft Vendors welcome, $10 dollars per table plus door prize donation. $5 per additional table
For more information contact Sherry Louis at louis_sherry@hotmail.com

BCAFN - Eliminating Sex Discrimination in the Indian Act Webinar
2025-12-12 09:00 - 12:00
BCAFN – Eliminating Sex Discrimination in the Indian Act Webinar
December 12th, 9:00am – 12:00pm
Register for the webinar here
In September 2025, Indigenous Services Canada renewed the Collaborative Process on the Second-Generation Cut-Off and Section 10 Voting Thresholds (https://www.sac-isc.gc.ca/eng/1706281094364/1706281216732) in preparation for consultation with First Nations. As a part of this effort, the BCAFN and UBCIC are co-hosting this webinar entitled, First Nation Citizenship / Membership: Eliminating Sex Discrimination in the Indian-Act on December 12, 2025, from 9:00 am – 12:00 p.m. All First Nations Chiefs, leadership, community members and impacted individuals are welcome to attend .
The purpose of the webinar is to promote awareness and understanding of ongoing sex discrimination in the Indian Act and support First Nation communities and impacted individuals to critically engage with issues like the second generation cut off which is having devastating impacts on First Nations. Harmony Johnson of Tla’amin First Nation will provide an overview of UBCIC and BCAFN resources on these issues, which can be found on websites for BCAFN and UBCIC (https://www.bcafn.ca/membership-and-citizenship).
The goal is to ensure that First Nations communities and impacted individuals are fully supported in their participation in ISC’s upcoming consultation on the Second-Generation Cut-Off and Section 10 Voting Thresholds and to foster greater awareness and enhanced action within their communities.

*POSTPONED* Jan 2026 capti’kʷl: kʷəckʷəcstimʔ iʔ stəɬtaɬtet #2
2026-01-21 10:00 - 15:00
POSTPONED: Jan 2026 capti’kʷl: kʷəckʷəcstimʔ iʔ stəɬtaɬtet #2

Way’ Members, the 2nd capti’kʷl: kʷəckʷəcstimʔ iʔ stəɬtaɬtet session has been postponed. ONA staff will be working on determining a new date for a 2nd session.

Limlemt for your patience and understanding.

OKIB Moccasin Bootcamp 2026
2026-01-23 17:00 - 18:00, 2026-01-30 17:00 - 18:00, 2026-02-06 17:00 - 18:00, 2026-02-13 17:00 - 18:00, 2026-02-20 17:00 - 18:00, 2026-02-27 17:00 - 18:00 | Fearless Training Gym Okanagan, 3105 28th street, Vernon
OKIB Moccasin Bootcamp 2026

January 23rd to March 27th

5:00pm to 6:00pm with Brandy Griffin at Fearless Training Okanagan at 3105 28th street, Vernon BC.

10 Weeks on Fridays

Join the weekly Moccasin Bootcamp for Strength and conditioning Training!

For more information contact Ruby Alexis: 250-542-7132

Moccasin Bootcamp
2026-01-30 17:00 - 18:00, 2026-02-06 17:00 - 18:00, 2026-02-13 17:00 - 18:00, 2026-02-20 17:00 - 18:00
Moccasin Bootcamp 2026 starts Friday, January 30th
January 30th to March 27th
5:00pm to 6:00pm with Brandy Griffin at Fearless Training Okanagan at 3105 28th street, Vernon BC.
Way’ Members, the start date for Moccasin Bootcamp will actually be January 30th and not on January 23rd as previously advertised.
Join the weekly Moccasin Bootcamp for Strength and conditioning Training!
For more information contact Ruby Alexis: 250-542-7132

Water Webinar: ntámłqən Community Garden & Food Hub
2026-02-25 12:00 - 13:00
Water Webinar: ntámłqən Community Garden & Food Hub
Date: February 25, 2026
Time: 12:00 – 1:00 PM via Zoom (registration is required)
Register here: https://forms.gle/EPqUJXnMsM2hMh9w5
You are invited to join us for an upcoming Water Lunchtime Webinar highlighting the ntámłqən Community Garden & Food Hub, an initiative of the Lower Similkameen Indian Band grounded in Syilx food security, Indigenous Food Sovereignty, and water stewardship.
Guest Speaker: Dixon Terbasket

A pioneer in organic farming and long-time leader in land management and community food systems, Dixon will share insights from his lifelong work and his vision guiding the ntámłqən Community Garden.
