Language & Culture Revitalization

The presently known Okanagan valley is also known as the Okanagan Indian Nations traditional territory, or as the “Syeelhwh Nation”, which means “the people who live here.” “S-Ookanhkchinx” or Okanagan translates to mean “transport toward the head or top end.” This refers to the people traveling from the head of the Okanagan Lake to where the Okanagan river meet the Columbia river. In other words Okanagan Lake and Okanagan river were the traditional transportation routes of the people and their traditional boundaries encompassed this area.

Welcoming And Acknowledgement Of The Sqilxʷ/Syilx (Okanagan) Peoples Traditional Territory