Indigenous languages are complex systems designed to preserve the knowledge of and connection to the land. The Syilx People of the Okanagan Valley are not just for the land, they are of the land. They belong to it and honour the waters and mountains that have given all generations life.

Cedar is the tree of life, and it is used by Indigenous people for protection, ceremony, and in daily life. Making a small, simple item such as a bracelet reminds us of the limitless physical and spiritual gifts of the land.

Before the appearance of stainless steel cookware and convection ovens and after the introduction of white flour and sugar, Indigenous people expressed and shared culture through food.

Indigenous stewardship practices are informed by the collective observations and interactions of countless generations living in balance and reciprocity with nature.

Not only does the salmon provide food, but it also offers wisdom to those who approach it with respect. The legendary salmon swims against the flow to complete its all-important mission; its endurance in hardship to achieve the higher goal is medicine it shares with the people.

A traditional powwow dancer for thirty years, Mike Retasket honours the ancestors through movement. Each dip and hop on the grasslands is his way of saying thank you to the ones who came before; each feather he wears is a designation of responsibility to those who are yet to come.

Round homes, based on a shape repeated in nature, are just one example of Indigenous innovation. Contemporary home builders now recognize the benefits of circular structures long-known to the Nlaka’pamux and other Indigenous People.

The experience of gathering together to enjoy a meal is a celebration of success and survival. When we explore the food of another culture, we learn about available ingredients, seasonal practices, and local preparation techniques.

Tanner Francois is relearning old ways and sharing his personal, cultural journey with guests at Quaaout Lodge, located in Chase (east of Kamloops). Warm yourself by the fire, feel the heartbeat of the drum resonate in your chest, and listen to the stories kept by the Secwepemc people.

Monty Stevens sees the Kispiox River change people. He has spent his life on the great Skeena and Kispiox Rivers and invites you to drift in beauty on waters that are home to a dynamic people, great grizzlies, and soaring eagles.