Members of the Okanagan Indian Band with Okanagan College staff in Vernon at the flag raising and naming ceremony at the campus.

Image Credit: SUBMITTED/Okanagan College

First Nations and communities throughout Kamloops, and the Okanagan are celebrating Truth and Reconciliation Day, Sept. 30, with festivities for everyone.

Here's a sample of what's happening in your community.

Kamloops

Tkemlúps te Secwépemc and the City of Kamloops are celebrating the day with a joint initiative for the first time, according to a press release.

“As we partner with the City of Kamloops on this significant day for the first time, we express gratitude and together we are proud to serve our communities in unity, ensuring that we lead by example through our shared commitment to the implementation of Truth and Reconciliation," Tkemlúps te Secwépemc Kukpi7, chief, Rosanne Casimir said in the release.

"The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day is an important opportunity to show allyship, honour survivors, and continue the journey of healing and education.”

The event in Kamloops is on Sept. 27 from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the Tkemlúps te Secwépemc Arbour. There will be cultural teachings, tours of the Kamloops Residential School, a mile long Orange Shirt Day Walk at 3 p.m. along with food and a host of other activities. Click here for more information. Email events@ttes.ca to register for a tour of the residential school. 

Tkemlúps te Secwépemc has also organized the 3rd Annual Stseptékwles re Sk’elép (Coyote Stories) Indigenous Film Festival, from Sept. 27 to 29. The film festival will spotlight Indigenous filmmakers, actors, artists, and organizations at the Paramount Theatre all weekend.

“It’s more than just cinema; it’s a gathering of creativity, resilience, and cultural pride,” read the press release. Click here for tickets.

Kelowna

In Kelowna, the Ki-Low-Na Friendship Society has an event on Sept. 27 with a march, meal, educational activities, local art, activities for kids, and Elder storytelling.

The march sets off at the society at 442 Leon Avenue at noon with non-stop action until 4 p.m.

The Kelowna Museum has organized a walk from the Laurel Packinghouse to the Rotary march so sylix knowledge carriers can teach people about traditional plant use.

“The Okanagan is incredibly biodiverse, and the syilx, Okanagan people have deep knowledge of how to use the different plant species for food, medicine, shelter, even natural deodorant,” the museum said on its site.

The walk takes place on Sept. 29 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. The event is free for First Nations members, tickets for others are $15.

South Okanagan

Those in South Okanagan can head to Osoyoos for the Second Annual Nk'Mip Cellars Fundraising Evening from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Sept. 28.

Tickets are $99 and they include food, wine, a hoop dance performance from Dallas Arcand, silent auctions, and raffles.

The event raises money for the Indian Residential School Survivors Society.

The Okanagan Nation Alliance has organized a Walk for reconciliation in Penticton.

The 2 km walk starts at the Safeway parking lot and ends at the sylix Indian Residential School monument outside the Penticton Hatchery on En’owkin Trail.

The walk starts at 10 a.m. on Sept. 30. Everyone is welcome and encouraged to wear orange, blue, or green shirts.

North Okanagan

Vernon’s Okanagan College Campus is flying the Okanagan Indian Band flag to celebrate naming a new building just days ahead of Truth and Reconciliation Day.

A ceremony was held, Sept. 26, to celebrate the naming and raising of the band's flag. 

A newly constructed student housing building on campus has been named ect´at´íxxlm t´ik´t l a nk´k´maplqs which translates to Changing Colours of Kalamalka Lake in sylix. The name was picked in consultation with sylix Okanagan Nation Elders, according to a press release from the college.

“As the seasons shift, we are reminded of the deep connection to the land and the significance of this change for our communities,” band councillor Allan Louis said in the release. “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.”

The Okanagan Indian Band has organized a day filled with music, dancing, and discussion at Komasket Park from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Sept. 30. There will be drumming, singing, food, and a limited number of orange shirts available. 

Shuswap

In Salmon Arm, Lheidli T’enneh artist Kym Gouchie is putting on a concert at the Song Sparrow Hall from 7:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Sept. 29.

Tickets are $35 and the funds will go to Rise Up Indigenous Wellness, a non-profit dedicated to addressing gaps in service for Indigenous kids. Click here for tickets.

Columbia

Revelstoke’s Okanagan Public Library is showing a free screening of WaaPake (Tomorrow) directed by Cree filmmaker Jules Arita Koostachin. The movie starts at 6 p.m. on Sept. 27.

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