Author
Author: Aaron Hemens, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

‘s Latest Articles
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Decolonizing and reclaiming culture through syilx hand poke tattooing
For syilx hand poke tattoo practitioner Sheldon Pierre Louis, markings are a sign of reclamation and activism.
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Community condemns Robert Saunders outside of ‘Kelowna’ courthouse
The fraudulent ‘social worker’ misappropriated funds from youth under his care, many of whom were Indigenous
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Chief of vibrant Westbank First Nation announces immediate resignation
In the aftermath of an unauthorized land sale, Chief y̓lmixʷm Christopher Derickson said he’s now seeing further evidence of corruption.
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Indigenous Peoples Day Events within syilx homelands
The syilx Nation is hosting a number of celebrations in honour of sqilx’w day
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South Okanagan Similkameen Pride Society kicks off month-long celebrations
The crowd at the Dream Cafe was treated to a night of poetry, mixes of Fusion and Raqs Sharqi dancing, and drag acts full of outlandish song and dance.
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Aaron Hemens shares his 2022 intentions as Okanagan Storyteller
‘To tell the community’s story, I need to be part of the community, I need to be there.’
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Annual Spirit of syilx Youth Unity Run begins with honouring of residential ‘school’ survivors
More than 100 syilx youth gathered at the site of the former residential “school” to kick off this year’s run
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Okanagan Indian Band celebrates return of Cultural Arbor with long-awaited gathering
After weathering a pandemic and wildfires, the community was finally able to celebrate the reopening of the outdoor gathering space.
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Table Talks program will bring reconciliation discussions to the kitchen table
The sessions are designed to promote relationship-building and to breathe life into sqilx’w beliefs and teachings.
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Okanagan Indian Band to host grand reopening of Cultural Arbor
‘So many memories were made with the previous arbor and many great memories will be made here,’ said Chief Byron Louis