The Syilx People of the Okanagan Nation are a trans-boundary tribe separated at the 49th parallel by the border between Canada and the United States.

Syilx Okanagan, including Sinixt, in Canada Unchanging stəɬtaɬt (the-truth-way or rights) In 1846, the Territory and membership of the Syilx Nation were split when the Canada-United States border was drawn across our Territory without our consent.

nsyilxcən is the language spoken by and distinguishes the Syilx Okanagan from other indigenous peoples. It is part of the Salish language family which is distinct from our Salish neighbors, like the Spokan, the Nlaka’pamux, and the Secwepemc. nsyilxcən is spoken in all the districts of the Syilx Okanagan territory with varying dialects.

For thousands of years, we the Syilx Okanagan people were self-reliant and well provided for through their own ingenuity and use of the land and resources. We lived united as a nation with a whole economy, travelling the breadth and depth of our territory; hunting, fishing, growing, harvesting, and trading created a sustainable economy that met ...

The Syilx Okanagan Nation Timeline depicts events that have affected the Syilx Okanagan Nation people and governance as well as have brought us to where we are today.

The Syilx Okanagan concept of land encompasses more than the physical geography of place, it includes the spiritual connections of everything living on and within it. The Syilx Okanagan language, nsyilxcen, and the captikwł transmit knowledge about natural laws and what people need to learn in order to survive on the land.

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.

Principles and Fundamentals The principles outlined below are a framework for respecting ONA, Syilx community history and culture: Acknowledge and Respect Consultation and Approval Understanding and Interpretation

Before European invasion, the syilx moved freely between the south, north, west, and eastern parts of their territory. The syilx people had a very well organized system. They were organized by how the land was used for survival on the syilx cultural traditions. The land was used for hunting, fishing, root digging and berry picking.

Mar 8, 2025 · For over 20 years, the Okanagan Nation Alliance (ONA) and Syilx people have worked tirelessly to bring salmon back from the brink of extinction. This new fishway channel will bypass the Okanagan Lake Outlet Dam, ensuring safe migration for over 2 million salmon and other Indigenous fish species.