Okanagan Indian Band

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 (America/Vancouver) | 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, 2026-03-06 17:00 - 18:00, 2026-03-13 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, 2026-02-27 17:00 - 18:00, 2026-03-06 17:00 - 18:00, 2026-03-13 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.

YES Frontline Wellness Training
2026-03-06 16:00 - 19:00, 2026-03-07 09:00 - 18:00, 2026-03-08 09:00 - 15:00 | Spirit Ridge, 1200 Rancher Creek Rd, Osoyoos
YES Frontline Wellness Training
March 6–8, 2026 in Spirit Ridge, Osoyoos (1200 Rancher Creek Rd, Osoyoos, BC)
March 6th – 4 pm – 7 pm
March 7th – 9 am – 6 pm
March 8th – 9 am – 3 pm
Space is limited.

Register at: https://forms.gle/P3dCXRtozhZx9MyH7

This gathering focuses on supporting frontline workers by offering specialized training and self-care opportunities for those serving Syilx Nation communities. The YES Program addresses vicarious trauma and compassion fatigue by providing practical tools, peer support, and a restorative environment for respite.

The training is intended for individuals involved in family violence and sexual harm prevention and response, case management, community wellbeing, and frontline support.

Open to Frontline Health & Wellness Staff in Syilx Nation Communities.

For more information, please contact Darryl-Jean Peeman, YES Team Lead, at YES.TeamLead@syilx.org or 778-392-8133.

capti’kʷl: kʷəckʷəcstimʔ iʔ stəɬtaɬtet #3
2026-03-16 10:00 - 15:30 | online
capti’kʷl: kʷəckʷəcstimʔ iʔ stəɬtaɬtet #3
DATE: March 16, 2026
TIME: 10:00 am – 3:30 pm
LOCATION: Virtual via Zoom
CONTACT: Raven Mikuletic, Sr Communications Coordinator rmikuletic@syilx.org or 250-707-0095 ext. 121

SESSION 3 TOPIC: Health

Okanagan Nation Alliance will be hosting captikʷl Forums this year, in partnership with the En’owkin Centre. The captikʷł forums are held for insight and community engagement in examining Syilx captikʷł, how lessons from the captikʷł connect with our modern way of living, and how to integrate Syilx values and principles within captikʷł in Policy & Planning.

Session 3 will feature a reading of Sons of Beaver & Coyote told by Humishuma – Mourning Dove, followed by a panel discussion from our storytellers and language speakers.

Open only to those with Syilx ancestry (or parents/guardians of Syilx children).

REGISTER HERE: https://forms.gle/x8v8pwPwUob9K6Ht7

Initial kł cp̓əlk̓ stim̓ Ceremonial Fry Release for Syilx Nation and Community Members
2026-03-17 08:00 - 17:00 | Shingle Creek, Penticton
Initial kł cp̓əlk̓ stim̓ Ceremonial Fry Release for Syilx Nation and Community Members
DATE: Mar 17, 2026
TIME: 9:30 AM
LOCATION: akɬ xʷuminaʔ, snpintktn (Shingle Creek, Penticton)
CONTACT: Raven Mikuletic, Sr Communications Coordinator at events.support@syilx.org or 250-707-0095 ext. 121

The Syilx Nation honours the work of our ancestors by caring for all living things within our territory.

To celebrate the initial release of Okanagan Sockeye fry from our kł cp̓əlk̓ stim̓ Hatchery, we would like to invite Syilx Nation and community members to join us in ceremony. Light breakfast to follow.

Open to Syilx Nation & Community Members. *Please visit our Events webpage for the list of public Fry Releases!

NO REGISTRATION REQUIRED.
