An invitation to join and witness a historic celebration by the Osoyoos Indian Band on its Original Indian reserve set aside in 1877 and taken away (stolen) by the Federal and Provincial governments in 1913.
A few months ago, a piece of land came up for sale on the open market which was once an important part of the Osoyoos Indian Reserve and the entire Okanagan (siylx) Nation. The Osoyoos Indian Band purchased approximately 1 acre of its old reserve back and now after 108 years of being denied access to this important cultural and salmon fishing site our people will now have unimpeded access to our ancestor’s historic village (fishing) site.
We celebrate this historic purchase and welcome all Okanagan (Siylx) people to gather on this site (as our ancestors did for thousands of years) on April 14 at 11 :30am. We will gather in ceremony, song, and a salmon meal as we “reconcile” the past – present and future. 5444 Hawthorn Place, Okanagan Falls.
The Indigenous history of this site is known by our language and traditional knowledge keepers as where Coyote places the dam there for our people to salmon fish as well as the rock outcroppings are important symbols – “beaver, musqaut, and fisher” to remind us of the connection between the top of the mountain and the water. Because of the cultural and historic significance of this site a woman’s sweat will be held Wednesday night April 12, and men’s Thursday night April 13 – starting 6:30 pm at 5444 Hawthorn Place, Okanagan Falls.
As most of the Osoyoos Indian reserve that was taken away is still occupied we are also inviting non-Native dignitaries to witness this historic celebration as part of ‘Truth & Reconciliation”. We would like representatives from the RDOS, Mayors and Councillors as well as the public to join us in celebration.
Osoyoos Indian Band Chief Clarence Louie
