(STEVE ARSTAD / iNFOnews.ca)

People driving through Penticton will soon be greeted in the traditional language of the syilx people.

The idea for a “Welcome to Sn’pinktn” was conceived by Nicholas Krugar while he was thinking of ways to beautify the Penticton river channel, which runs beside Highway 97.

He rallied support from local businesses including Boston Pizza, Loca Landing and Coyote Cruises, and the idea quickly proved to be popular with the public when it was shared on social media, with hundreds of reactions and numerous locals offering to volunteer for the project.

READ MORE: SUMMERTIME STAPLE: You simply have to float the channel in Penticton

Krugar’s vision for a “Welcome to Sn’pinktn” sign was met with just as much enthusiasm at City Hall.

“Staff had an informal conversation with Nick and are thrilled at the opportunity to partner on this,” Cheryl Hardisty, manager of council and executive operations, said in an emailed statement. “We will take our lead from the Penticton Indian Band and of course Nick, but certainly the City would love to be included on this.”

Kruger is still lobbying for more support. Anybody interested in helping out can connect with Kruger via Facebook here.

"We we want to bring as many people as we can together for this project because I think the more people involved in making this happen, the more people will be involved in protecting it and up-keeping it and it will last longer," he said.

"This project is about bringing people together in the first place, and it’s also about showing recognition for something that’s long overdue – giving this place its proper name back."

Nicholas Kruger is rounding up support for a project to build a 'Welcome to Sn’pinktn' sign.

Image Credit: SUBMITTED

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