Photo: Okanagan Nation Alliance

The Okanagan Nation Alliance hosted their fourth annual Water Forum to recognize the interconnectedness between water, land, ecosystems and people to mark World Water Day.

On March 22, the nation held their meeting, with a theme of "Reconnecting to land," which involved visiting various spots around the Okanagan. It follows a similar 2017 event, themed "Forward thinking: Syilx knowledge informing watershed planning."

The event had 85 attendees, including Syilx First Nation leadership, elders, traditional knowledge keepers and community members, as well as regional and provincial government representatives. 

Participants discussed water protection, wetlands conservation and other important water management topics.

The day began with a Syilx Water Ceremony on Mission Creek, then continued on to a tour of the watershed area along with knowledge holders and elders who shared names, protocols and Syilx natural laws regarding the area. They demonstrated water planning is a fundamental value to the Syilx people.

The tour continued to such stops as the Penticton Oxbows Restoration site and significant Syilx water places.