In this section of our guide, we will focus on the Syilx, also known as the Okanagan, who are a First Nations and American Indian people whose traditional territory spans the international border between Washington State and British Columbia.
Ethnologically and linguistically, the Syilx are part of the Interior Salish, and are closely related to the Kalispel, Nez Perce, Nlaka'pamux, Secwepemc, Sinixt, and Spokane peoples of the Northwest Plateau region.
Like many Northwest Pacific people, the Syilx moved within their traditional areas throughout the year in order to take advantage of the best fishing, hunting, or gathering seasons. During the winter months, they lived in semi-permanent villages in subterranean pit houses known as kekulis. Circular or oval in shape, they had a dug-out floor, walls made of logs or wooden poles, and roofs covered with earth and grass. The pit design helped to regulate temperatures, and the entrances were tunnel-life, to discourage cold winds from entering the home. Inside, they would have a central hearth for cooking and heat, smoke holes in the roof allowed for ventilation and the release of smoke, and benches or platforms along the walls served as sleeping areas. While Kekulis are no longer in common use, they remain an important part of their cultural heritage.
Historically, the diet of the Syilx people included a great deal of fish, which was a staple food. They harvested salmon from rivers and lakes during seasonal runs and also fished for red snapper, mackerel, tilapia, and rainbow trout. The Syilx people hunted for such game as deer, elk, and smaller game. Birds, such as ducks, geese, and grouse, were also part of their diet. They also gathered a variety of edible plants and berries, and cultivated beans, corn, tomatoes, and pumpkins.
The Syilx people used nets, traps, and spears to catch fish, and they hunted game with bows, arrows, traps, and other tools, while edible plants were both gathered and cultivated.
Efforts are currently underway to restore traditional foods, like salmon, through food sovereignty initiatives.
The traditional language of the Syilx people is Nsyilxcən, a Salish language that arose in the Okanagan River Basin and the Columbia River Basin during precolonial times in Canada and the United States. After years of British, American, and Canadian colonization in the 19th century, and the subsequent assimilation of Salishan tribes, usage of the traditional language declined dramatically, although efforts are underway to teach it as a second language on both sides of the international border.
After European colonization of both Canada and the United States, the Oregon Treaty of 1846 partitioned the Pacific Northwest, after which those who remained in what became Washington Territory, reorganized under Chief Tonasket as a separate group from the majority of the Silx, who remained on the northern side of the border.
The Syilx who remained in the United States became members of the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation in Washington State, where the Syilx are sometimes known as Colvilles.
The Upper Nicola Indian Band, a Syilx group in the Nicola Valley, which was at the northwestern perimeter of Okanagan territory, became known as the Spaxomin, and are allied with neighboring communities of the Nlaka'pamux in Nicola Country. This alliance was known as the Nicola Tribal Association until 2019, when it became the Scw'exmx Tribal Council. Member bands include the Upper Nicola First Nation (also a member of the Okanagan Nation Alliance), the Coldwater First Nation, the Nooaitch First Nation, and the Sxe'xn'x (Shackan) First Nation.
The Okanagan Nation Alliance is a tribal council that spans the Nicola, Okanagan, and Similkameen districts of British Columbia, as well as the Colville Indian Reservation in Washington. The alliance consists of seven different bands, including the Okanagan Indian Band, the Westbank First Nation, the Lower Similkameen Indian Band, the Upper Similkameen Indian Band, the Osoyoos Indian Band, the Penticton Indian Band, the Upper Nicola Indian Band, and the Colville Confederated Tribes.
Topics related to either of these tribes, First Nations, alliances, or organizations, are appropriate for this category, along with associated businesses and enterprises, schools, medical facilities, and other entities, including programs and events. Businesses owned or operated by individual Syilx people may also be found. here.
Recommended Resources
Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation
The Confederated Tribes is a federally recognized American Indian tribe in the State of Washington, United States, that controls the Colville Indian Reservation. Member tribes include the Arrow Lakes Sinixt, Chelan, Colville, Entiat, Nespelem, Okanagan Syilx, Methow, Sinkiuse-Columbia, Nez Perce, Palus, San Poll, and Wenatchi. The tribe and reservation's history, tribal members, culture, leadership, administrative and departmental contacts, tourism resources, and events are provided.
https://www.colvilletribes.com/
Situated in Penticton, British Columbia, the En'owkin Centre is a registered Private Post Secondary Institute and a member of the Indigenous Adult and Higher Learning Association (IAHLA). The Centre offers a Nsylixcen Language Fluency certificate-diploma program leading toward the Bachelor of Nsyllxcen Language Fluency program. Its education, arts, and culture programs, and student services are set forth. The South Okanagan Restorative Justice and Timix ECOliteracy programs are outlined.
https://enowkincentre.ca/
Lower Similikameen Indian Band
The First Nations band government, also known as the Lower Smelqmix, is a member of the Okanagan Nation Alliance. Headquartered in a facility south of Cawston, the band's people are known as the Smelqmix, a subgroup of the Syilx people. A brief introduction to the band is set forth, including its history, culture, language, organization chart, reserve lands, and a photo gallery. Member programs and services are discussed, an event calendar can be viewed, and job postings are included.
https://www.lsib.net/
The Okanagan Indian Band (N̓k̓maplqs) is a First Nations government in British Columbia and a member of the Okanagan Nation Alliance. In 2023, OKIB broke ground on a new Cultural Immersion School, which is discussed on the website. The website introduces its administrative offices, chief, council, policies, bylaws, territorial stewardship, human resources, public safety, and departments, and provides contacts for its administrative and departmental staff.
https://www.okib.ca/
The First Nations tribal council represents seven Syilx bands across British Columbia and Washington State. The alliance includes the Okanagan Indian Band, the Westbank First Nation, the Lower Similkameen Indian Band, the Upper Similkameen Indian Band, the Osoyoos Indian Band, the Penticton Indian Band, the Upper Nicola Indian Band, and the Colville Confederated Tribes. Its chief executive council, member communities, energy executive committee, and partnerships are introduced.
https://syilx.org/
Okanagan Nation Alliance Business Development Unit
The Okanagan Nation Alliance is the tribal council of seven Okanagan bands, and its business development unit assists its membership with business planning, financing, negotiating, and strategic planning. As many of its member bands have their own economic development advisors, the Unit works in partnership with them, supporting their efforts. Member bands, a business directory, cultural tourism efforts, and a map showing the traditional territory of the Okanagan Nation are provided.
http://okanagannationbusiness.com/
Located in the town of Oliver and Osoyoos in the Okanagan Valley, north of the Canada-United States border, in British Columbia, the First Nations government controls about 32,000 acres of land, on which more than six hundred band members live and work. The band is a member of the Okanagan Nation Alliance. Community programs and facilities are introduced, and its culture, governance, and administrative team are featured. Contacts, career and investor opportunities are included.
http://oib.ca/
Located on the Penticton Indian Band Reserve, overlooking Skaha Lake and Okanagan Lake, the school serves students from Junior Kindergarten through Grade Eight. It offers a strong Nsyilxen language and culture program as well as a solid academic program. OSCS staff and an introduction to the school's facilities, programs, and curriculum are provided. The school's address, telephone, and fax numbers are published on the website, and a registration form may be accessed online.
http://www.outma.ca/
The Penticton Indian Band (Sn̓pin̓tktn̓) is a First Nations government in British Columbia, located next to the city of Penticton in the Okanagan Valley. A member of the Okanagan Nation Alliance, the Nation administers three reserves and operates an accredited high school. Its history, culture, mission, vision, and governing body are introduced, along with policies, bylaws, strategic priorities, a comprehensive plan, ongoing projects, training programs, and membership services.
https://pib.ca/
The museum began as a repository after Westbank First Nation achieved self-government in 2005. As the collection grew, the program transitioned to the public sphere by opening its doors as a museum in 2014 and moving to a larger space in 2020. Indigenous-owned and operated, the museum has space for Syilx voices, offers opportunities for the community, and is a safe space for open conversation. Its location, services, events, collections, and contacts are provided.
https://www.sncewips.com/
Viewing the learning N̓syilxčn̓ as an act of reconciliation and resistance for Syilx people in the Syilx Nation, its mission is to create new fluent N̓syilxčn̓ (Syilx, Salish, Okanagan, N̓səl̓xčin̓) speakers in the Syilx Nation, recording Elders speaking the traditional languages, and providing a safe learning environment. The program provides a sequenced immersion with trained teachers, a world-class curriculum, and a community learning environment. Photos and audio are provided.
https://www.thelanguagehouse.ca/
The Upper Nicola Band (Spax̌mn̓) is a First Nations government in British Columbia, Canada, located near the town of Merritt in Nicola County. It is a band government in both the Okanagan Nation Alliance and the Scw'exmx Tribal Council, which is a joint government of the Okanagan (Syilx) and Nlaka'amux bands. The site provides an introduction to the band, its chief and council, partnerships, and career opportunities, along with contacts, member services, and a member portal.
https://uppernicola.com/
Upper Similikameen Indian Band
A member of the Okanagan Nation Alliance, the Upper Similkameen Indian Band, also known as the Upper Smelqmix, is headquartered in Hedley and has eight reserves under its jurisdiction. Photographs and an introduction to the community are provided, along with an overview of member services and programs, council meeting schedules and agendas, career opportunities, a calendar of upcoming events, a contact directory, a feedback form, and a private members' portal.
https://usib.ca/
The self-governing First Nations band in the Okanagan region of British Columbia is one of eight bands that make up the Okanagan Nation Alliance of Syilx people. Its reserves were part of the Okanagan Indian Band until they separated and became an independent band in 1963. WFN council, membership, and advisory council agendas and minutes are available for viewing, property taxes may be paid online, and feedback forms may be completed through the site. Administrative contacts are included.
https://www.wfn.ca/
