Honouring the OKIB

It was an historical day for the Okanagan Indian Band as their official flag was raised above Okanagan College and Vernon city hall.

Ceremonies were held at the Kalamalka Campus and the steps of city hall Thursday to honour the Syilx Okanagan Nation.

“As the seasons shift, we are reminded of the deep connection to the land and the significance of this change for our communities,” said Allan Louis, OKIB councillor. “Today, we raise our flag on the traditional and unceded territory of the Syilx Okanagan people, acknowledging our history and moving forward with education and partnership.”

Louis said the land has always “historically been OKIB land territory. Now that reconciliation is coming and we're starting to make up for some lost time when it comes to how we build relationships.

“The City of Vernon has been doing a good job. There are some things we need to work on to build relationships and this council is pretty progressive and sees the need and positivity of working together and we, as OKIB, appreciate that.”

“This is a moment to reflect on our shared respect and our go-forward commitment in acknowledging OKIB history and integration in this part of Canada,” Mayor Victor Cumming said. “This is our community, all of us. So we raise this flag as a step towards our mutual understanding and respect for our future generations.”

The morning ceremony at Okanagan College also marked the official name-giving ceremony for the newly constructed student housing building on the Vernon campus, which will serve as a welcoming space for learners from across the region.

After consultation with local Syilx Okanagan Nation Elders, members, and educators, the building was named ect?at?íx??x?lm ??? t?ik??t l a? nk??k?maplqs, a Syilx term meaning “Changing Colours of Kalamalka Lake.”

The name was translated by Virginia Gregoire and Pauline Archachan, transcribed by Ashley Gregoire, and reviewed and verified by UBCO professors Dr. Jeanette Armstrong and Dr. John Lyon. Dr. Armstrong is an OC alumnus and both her and Dr. Lyon are educators teaching Nsyilxcn language.

The ceremonies comes days ahead of the Sept. 30 National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day, a time dedicated to honouring the survivors of residential schools and those who did not return.

Reflecting on this, Dr. Neil Fassina, OC Vernon president, spoke about the importance of education as a tool for reconciliation.

“Raising the Okanagan Indian Band flag here at the Vernon campus is a visible reminder of our responsibility to recognize the truth of our shared history and work towards a future of respect and healing,” said Fassina. “As we move toward National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, this flag stands as a testament to our continued journey together.”

Director of Indigenous relations and reconciliation at Okanagan College, Rhea Dupuis, reflected on the importance of ceremonies like this in advancing the college’s relationship with Indigenous communities.

“This ceremony is a powerful reminder of our ongoing responsibility to Truth and Reconciliation,” said Dupuis. “By raising the Okanagan Indian Band flag and naming this student housing building with the Syilx name, ect?at?íx??x?lm ??? t?ik??t l a? nk??k?maplqs, we are taking meaningful steps toward healing and strengthening our connection to the Indigenous peoples whose lands we are on.”