Okanagan Indian Band

POSTPONED: Syilx Indian Residential School Gathering
2026-03-26 09:00 - 19:00, 2026-03-27 09:00 - 15:00 (America/Vancouver) | Penticton Lakeside Resort, 21 Lakeshore Drive West, Penticton
POSTPONED: Syilx Indian Residential School Gathering
Way’ Members,
We would like to inform you that the upcoming SIRS Gathering will be postponed until further notice.

This decision has been made with heavy hearts following the recent passing of respected SIRS Committee Member, Leon Louis, as well as other valued Nation members. During this time, we want to ensure space is held for our communities to grieve and come together in support.
A new date for the gathering will be shared in the future.

OKIB Moccasin Bootcamp 2026
2026-03-27 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
2026-03-27 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

Easter Bingo at Salmon River / Round Lake
2026-03-29 13:00 - 16:00 | Round Lake Hall, Chilhitza Road
Easter Bingo at Salmon River / Round Lake
March 29th 1:00pm to 4:00pm at Round Lake Community Hall
40 Seats available.
Proceeds will go towards upkeep of the hall
Cash donations
Bingo prizes
Bake sale
Door prizes
To volunteer or donate please contact Allan Mitchell
250-546-0471 or almitchell@telus.net

Moccasin Bootcamp 2026
2026-04-17 17:00 - 18:00, 2026-04-24 17:00 - 18:00, 2026-05-01 17:00 - 18:00, 2026-05-08 17:00 - 18:00, 2026-05-15 17:00 - 18:00, 2026-05-22 17:00 - 18:00, 2026-05-29 17:00 - 18:00 | Fearless Training Gym Okanagan, 3105 28th street, Vernon
Moccasin Bootcamp 2026 Session #2

Fridays April 17th through June 19th

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

Way’ Members, Moccasin bootcamp restarts beginning this Friday, April 17th and continuing for 10 sessions until June 19th.

Join the weekly Moccasin Bootcamp for Strength and conditioning Training!

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

Sockeye Fry Release Ceremonies
2026-04-30 10:00 - 11:00, 2026-05-06 10:00 - 11:00, 2026-05-07 10:00 - 11:00, 2026-05-08 10:00 - 12:00, 2026-05-12 10:00 - 11:00, 2026-05-12 14:00 - 15:00, 2026-05-13 10:00 - 11:00
Sockeye Fry Release Ceremonies
For more information please contact:
Okanagan Releases
Julie Brewer, Communications Coordinator
events@syilx.org or 250 707 0095 ext 122
Columbia-Kootenay Releases
Raven Mikuletic, Sr Communications Coordinator
events.support@syilx.org or 250 707 0095 ext 121
snpintktn, Penticton
April 30, 2026 – 10:00 am
Skaha Lake, East Marina
May 6, 2026 – 10:00 am
nɬəɬt́pmuscin, Vernon
Lower Vernon Creek, Marshall Field Dog Park
kiʔláwnaʔ, Kelowna
May 7, 2026 – 10:00 am
Mission Creek, Rotary Beach Park
sənƛ ̓uxuxtan, Six Mile
May 8, 2026 – 10:00 am
Six Mile Creek, 12 Bonneau Rd
snɬuxwqnm, Castlegar
May 12, 2026 – 10:00 am
Columbia River, Millennium Park
takliʕaickst, Slocan
May 12, 2026 – 2:00 pm
Slocan Lake, Village of Slocan Boat Ramp
snkx̌ykntn, Revelstoke
May 13, 2026 – 10:00 am
Columbia River, Centennial Park Boat Launch

Sockeye Fry Release Ceremony - Vernon
2026-05-06 10:00 - 12:00
Sockeye Fry Release Ceremony – Vernon

nɬəɬt́pmuscin, Vernon

May 6, 2026 – 10:00 amLower Vernon Creek, Marshall Field Dog Park

For more information please contact:

Okanagan Releases

Julie Brewer, Communications Coordinatorevents@syilx.org or 250 707 0095 ext 122

Spring 2026 Salmon Warriors Gathering
2026-05-11 00:00 - 23:59, 2026-05-12 08:00 - 17:00, 2026-05-13 08:00 - 17:00
Spring 2026 Salmon Warriors Gathering

APPLICATION DEADLINE: Mon. March 23, 2026
EVENT DATES: Mon. May 11 to Wed. May 13, 2026
LOCATION: Castlegar, BC; Slocan, BC; Revelstoke BC
FILL OUT AND SUBMIT THE APPLICATION FORM AT THIS LINK BY MONDAY, MARCH 23, 2026

Young adults aged 19-29 from the Syilx Okanagan, Secwépemc, and Ktunaxa Nations are invited to join the first Salmon Warriors Spring Gathering, May 11-13, 2026. New and returning Salmon Warriors are encouraged to apply. This is a Tri-Nation Road Trip to witness and celebrate this year’s annual Salmon Fry Releases in the upper Columbia River region.
Gather with Elders and community members from all three Nations to help Okanagan Nation Alliance’s (ONA) kł cp̓əlk̓ stim̓ Hatchery and Fisheries Team release the fry that Salmon Warriors helped collect as eggs and fertilize during the annual Broodstock Collection in Fall 2025.
Dams have blocked our salmon from returning to the upper Columbia River for over 87 years; the salmon need their people. Apply now to join other young adults from our three Nations to learn and connect with one another, the water, and the land. Together, we are enacting our shared and generational responsibility to return the salmon to their rightful and ancestral home in the upper Columbia region.

WHAT TO EXPECT: Full attendance and participation is required throughout. On Monday May 11, we will carpool to Revelstoke and leave vehicles overnight in the Fairfield Inn Parking Lot. Salmon Warriors board the shuttle bus to Castlegar, where we will stay the night at the Super 8. Teambuilding activities, creating agreements, and storytelling will help us get to know each other along the way. On Tuesday May 12 we will participate in salmon fry releases in Castlegar and Slocan, and then travel to Revelstoke where we’ll stay overnight. On Wednesday, May 13 we will join the morning salmon fry release in Revelstoke, and then travel home.

SUPPORT: Hotel accommodation, meals, transport (from WFN), and a $500 honorarium will be provided. Bring warm clothing and be prepared to spend time outside by the river in cool spring weather.
Please watch this short video from a previous Salmon Warriors Gathering.

Upcoming Chinook Salmon Fry Releases
2026-05-19 11:00 - 12:00, 2026-05-22 11:00 - 12:00
Upcoming Chinook Salmon Fry Releases
May 19th – *TIME CHANGE* 11:00 am Spallumcheen River – Cherryville Recreation site
May 22nd – 11:00 am Salmon River – Tim’s by the River Campsite
The Syilx Nation invites you to join us in ceremony for the release of Chinook fry throughout the Syilx Okanagan Territory. These releases are an opportunity to come together in celebration, stewardship, and connection to ntytyix as we continue the important work of restoration for future generations.
For more information please contact: Mikkeila Ridsdale at mridsdale@syilx.org or 250-707-0095

Fluent Speakers Language Gathering
2026-05-22 17:30 - 21:00, 2026-05-23 09:00 - 17:00, 2026-05-24 09:00 - 15:00 | Coast Capri Hotel, Kelowna, 1171 Harvey Ave, Kelowna
Fluent Speakers Language Gathering
May 22nd to 24th at the Coast Capri Hotel, Kelowna – 1171 Harvey Ave Kelowna BC
Registration: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdJWT8YLxssbPabuVZyWcS3JxCzuyjTIDM-TjVOWvh1VVNiaA/viewform
The First Speakers Language Gathering is a space for first language speakers and fluent language speakers to gather and discuss planning around sqilxʷ education, culture, and well-being.
Honoraria and travel support will be provided to first speakers only. Other sqilxʷ are welcome to join and listen!
Day 1 May 22 – 5:30 pm – 9 pm: Reception dinner for visiting, laughing, and grounding ourselves in the purpose of the gathering, open mic format.
Day 2 May 23 – 9 am – 5 pm ( Breakfast 8am-9:30am )
Dinner 5:30pm -Evening – open mic and visiting – separate room captikwl. Social visits in the evening.
Day 3 May 24 – 9 am – 3 pm: Wrap-up ( Breakfast 8am-9:30am)
Open to Syilx Nation Members only | Spaces are limited!
For more information contact: Jennifer Lewis, Wellness Manager at Wellness.Manager@syilx.org or 250-826-7844

Blue Jean Day at North Okanagan Friendship Centre Society
2026-06-04 11:00 - 13:00 | North Okanagan Friendship Centre Society, 2904 29th ave, vernon
Blue Jean Day at North Okanagan Friendship Centre Society
June 4th 11am to 1pm at NOFCS, 2904 29th ave Vernon
Blue Jean Jacket Day is the counter part for Red Dress Day where we will be holding space and raising awareness for the Missing, Murdered & Expoloited Indigenous Men & Boys.
Wear denim, eat some BBQ, enter to win some door prizes and raise awareness for missing and murdered indigenous men and boys.

2026 Spirit of Syilx Unity Run
2026-06-04 14:00 - 18:00
2026 Spirit of Syilx Unity Run
June 4th to 7th Mica to Farquier
Registration coming soon
Day 1: Opening ceremony at 2pm – Potlach creek to Goldstream Bridge
Day 2 Goldstream Bridge to Revelstoke
Day 3 Revelstoke to Nakusp
Day 4 Nakusp to Faquier/ Needles
*Schedule is subject to change*

Suicide and Violence Awareness run
When Syilx people come together, we honour our ancestors by
connecting with the land and one another, promoting our collective
healing and growth.
Our journey is not only to raise awareness; it is also about strengthening
our own resilience, as we are deeply rooted in the land itself.

For more information, please contact:
Dorothy Harrower, Communications Coordinator at dharrower@syilx.org or 250-707-0095 ext. 123
