The Okanagan Nation Alliance Fish in Schools (FinS) Program is now in 41 participating public and private schools throughout the Syilx territory, including those in Oliver.

FinS is a comprehensive fish education program for youth, with a focus on sc’win (sockeye salmon), their lifecycle and the importance of their ecosystems.

By creating greater awareness of fish species, the intent is for students to become future advocates for both salmon and their habitat.

In the Columbia Region, the program further cultivates awareness of salmon’s historical runs from the ocean, upstream to the Kettle River, Columbia, Pend d’Oreille and Kootenay Rivers, including major tributaries in the Salmo River and Slocan River.

This year the FinS program extends to the Okanagan Correctional Centre in Oliver. It will provide inmates with a new educational opportunity in order to contribute to broader knowledge and training necessary to apply for jobs when they are released.

Howie Wright, ONA Fisheries manager, states that “Bringing FinS to the Oliver correctional facility will increase awareness on fish culture, sockeye life cycle, and traditional knowledge on what salmon and indigenous fish species means to the Okanagan Syilx people. It also continues to exemplify ONAs ongoing commitment in providing FinS education to as wide an audience as possible.”

The Okanagan Nation Alliance (ONA) has been persistent in ensuring that it is  restoring and rejuvenating the habitats and ecosystems of the Upper Columbia and Okanagan Basin in the most dynamic way possible. The Alliance engages both traditional knowledge and cutting-edge science to contribute to protecting and advancing a biodiverse environment.

FinS is a key step in the Syilx Nation’s broader intent to raise awareness and bring salmon back to their original range, having been blocked from returning by dams along the Columbia River in the 1940s.

Over the course of December, ONA is delivering fish tanks and equipment to all participants throughout Syilx territory Egg delivery to FinS participant schools will being in early January. Upon successfully raising the fry, students will include their fry in ceremonial releases that take place throughout the Syilx territory in 2020.

Locally, Oliver Elementary, Tuc-el-Nuit Elementary and Senpaq’cin school are taking part in the program.