Online museum series explores history and culture of syilx people and land

Photo: Contributed

The traditional land of the syilx people spans over 69,000 square kilometres from north of Revelstoke B.C. to Wilbur, Washington in the south, but how much do you know about the culture?

The syilx people lived on this land for thousands of years and the Kelowna Museums Society along with Wildrose Native Traditions is inviting you to learn more about the culture through a series of virtual events called nakulamen (na'?k'?ulam?n). Roughly translated, it means “what we do” in English.

The series will explore a diverse range of topics including storytelling, syilx law, the syilx calendar, the role of women in the culture and more.

“We always appreciate the opportunity to partner with Wildrose Native Traditions. I can promise you that you will learn something fascinating and powerful at any of the upcoming nakulamen virtual events,” says Jen Garner, head of programming at the Kelowna Museums Society. The series starts Feb. 17 with Storytelling: How Turtle Set the Animals Free and will look at captikw?. These stories explore how people can relate to the land and live on the land.

“captikw? are the teachings of the syilx laws, customs, values, governance and principles that define and teach the syilx rights and responsibilities to the land and culture. captikw? stories are a reminder of syilx natural laws and protocols that need to be followed in order for future generations to live in harmony with the tmixw,” reads a release from the museum.

Living the Seasons: A Deeper Dive Into the 13 Month Calendar kicks off Feb. 24 and offers people a chance to learn how the syilx live with the seasons. The series wraps up March 10 with Women in syilx Culture, exploring roles and stories of syilx women.

All events runs from 7 to 8 p.m with admission being ‘pay what you can’ — suggested at $15 per household. You can pre-register here. For those of Indigenous heritage, admission to any of the events in the series is complimentary.

“In everything that we do, it’s really important to us that we show the appropriate level of respect to our Indigenous hosts and friends, so we’d like to invite people of Indigenous heritage to join us for the nakulamen series at no charge. We’re honoured to have this opportunity to provide a space where we can learn together about the vibrant syilx culture,” says executive director at the Kelowna Museums Society, Linda Digby.