Okanagan

IndigiNews Okanagan provides independent local news on the unceded territory of the Syilx/Okanagan Nation. Our team is here to listen, research and respond with stories you care about.

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Can educational assessments be decolonized?

By Kelsie Kilawna ● First Person ● March 30, 2023 March 30, 2023

I’ve witnessed how harmful colonial evaluations can be — so I sat down with expert Carolyn Roberts to unpack how we got here, and imagine a better future

Latest in Okanagan

A person attending the Okanagan Nation Alliance’s eighth annual syilx siwɬkʷ (Water) Forum in the district of “Summerland” in syilx homelands takes a picture of kɬúsx̌nítkʷ (Okanagan Lake) from the shore of cnxəlkip (Sun-Oka Beach Park) on March 22. Photo by Aaron Hemens

After a century of damage, syilx caretakers are restoring nluxʷluxʷɬcwix

By Aaron Hemens, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter ● News ● March 29, 2023 March 30, 2023

During the ONA’s annual syilx siwɬkʷ (Water) Forum, people visited the creek which is in the process of being rejuvenated

Secwépemc Hereditary Chief Saw-ses stands outside of Tkʼemlúps (Kamloops) courthouse in Secwepemcúl'ecw during the first day of his sentencing on Thursday, Feb. 23. Saw-ses was sentenced to 28 days in jail for resisting Trans Mountain’s construction in his homelands. Photo by Aaron Hemens

‘There’s no respect’: Judge’s comments shock KIRS survivor as land defenders given jail time

By Aaron Hemens, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter ● News ● February 24, 2023 March 14, 2023

As sentences were handed out to six people, a Secwépemc Matriarch has already appealed over ‘blatant bias’ in favour of TMX

Members of the Indigenous Harm Reduction Team, which is leading the knknxtəwix̌ program. From left to right: Elder mentor Dianna Watson (Anishinaabe), peer supporter Marley Isnardy (Chilcotin), project manager Ali Butler (syilx), Edna Terbasket (syilx), nurse Crystal Smallboy (Cree), social worker Tonya Robitaille (Anishinaabe/Métis), and peer supporter Alyxandra Lezard (syilx). Photo provided

New harm-reduction program in kiʔlawnaʔ focused on cultural wellness

By Aaron Hemens, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter ● News ● February 17, 2023 February 17, 2023

knknxtəwix̌ (We Walk Hand in Hand) wants to go beyond the frontlines to make changes within the system itself

An Indigenous woman with long, curly silver hair smiles at the camera in a black top.

Healing through story: sqilx’w author unveils harrowing-but-hopeful memoir

By Kelsie Kilawna ● Arts ● February 8, 2023 February 8, 2023

Jenelle Brewer’s book ‘RELEASING JEZEBEL: Embracing the Lioness Within’ will be released on April 1 — she hopes sharing her truth will make others feel less alone

kɬúsx̌nítkʷ, the original and accurate name for ‘Okanagan Lake’

By Kelsie Kilawna, Local Journalism Initiative reporter ● Features ● February 1, 2023 February 2, 2023

skawilx (Sarah) Alexis shares what it means and how all those living on syilx homelands are called to care for it