Community members from across the syilx Okanagan Nation gathered last week for their annual autumn salmon feast, to honour ntytyix (Chief Salmon) and to celebrate successes restoring the fish to their ancestral waterways.

The Sept. 22 event concluded the Okanagan Nation Alliance91裸聊视频檚 three-day snx虒a蕯iwl蓹m (honouring the sacredness of the river) gathering at sx虒史蓹x虒史nitk史 (Okanagan Falls), reclaimed by the nation last year.

91裸聊视频淚t was a good run for our people this year,91裸聊视频� said Osoyoos Indian Band Chief Clarence Louie (y虛ilmix史m ki law na) before the feast. 91裸聊视频淚t was so cool to see so many of our people 91裸聊视频� fishing like our people have fished here for thousands of years.91裸聊视频�

This year91裸聊视频檚 ceremonies were particularly celebratory 91裸聊视频� as the ONA91裸聊视频檚 decades-long salmon restoration efforts are paying off to bring several species back to syilx waterways.

Last month, ONA scientists recorded the return of the years to the lake, swimming roughly 1,000 kilometres from the sea, after decades blocked by dams. In August, the nation helped re-introduce for the first time in 80 years. And last spring, Youth in 60 local schools  into waterways throughout syilx territory.

The salmon feast brought together families from different nations and cultures, including Indigenous and non-Indigenous people. 

syilx fishers, including Youth, harvested the sc虛win (sockeye) from nk91裸聊视频檓ip (Osoyoos Lake) in July.

91裸聊视频淲e thank you gorgeous people for being here,91裸聊视频� said syilx Elder . 

The day began with participants forming a circle, as the year91裸聊视频檚 first salmon offering was placed into the centre accompanied by drum songs. 

Community members lined up to receive a piece of cooked salmon. c蓹qcqalx虒qn encouraged attendees to say a prayer, or to think about their own path, as they went up one-by-one.

91裸聊视频淵ou need a healing feeling; when you come by, remember who you love,91裸聊视频� Baptist said. 91裸聊视频淎ll of these organizers brought forth something to bless us with 91裸聊视频� we don91裸聊视频檛 take that lightly.91裸聊视频�

After the first offering of salmon, members of the community lined up with plates at a food tent to begin the feast. 

The event91裸聊视频檚 hosts said any bones and skin left over from the feast would be collected and offered into the waters.

After eating, participants approached the river shores for a water ceremony, where leftover salmon was offered with prayers for the nation91裸聊视频檚 waters and all beings they give life to.

As people lined up at the Okanagan River91裸聊视频檚 edge, they were brushed with wet fir boughs.

91裸聊视频淲e can be thankful that we91裸聊视频檙e going to end another day together,91裸聊视频� Baptist said after the ceremony. 91裸聊视频淲hatever little knowledge that we have 91裸聊视频� we hold on to that dearly.91裸聊视频� 

Prayers for the land and water

The gathering from Sept. 20 to 22 also included multiple events, including stick games, a canoe paddle, and educational booths for .

To kick off the annual celebrations, a group of motorcycle riders,, embarked south to the 91裸聊视频淯.S.,91裸聊视频� from sx虒史蓹x虒史nitk史 to 91裸聊视频淟ong Beach, Washington.91裸聊视频�

They followed the weaving and winding route of the Columbia River, and throughout their journey held ceremonies and prayers to bring salmon back to the species91裸聊视频� historical range. 

The bikers returned the same day as other syilx members paddled in canoes from Skaha Lake back to sx虒史蓹x虒史nitk史. Before hitting the water, they offered tobacco. 

Herman Edward, of Lower Similkameen Indian Band, helped plan the journey and carved  He told participants the annual paddle reminds the nation91裸聊视频檚 children why their ancestral boats and waterways are so important.

91裸聊视频淓very pull you make is a prayer 91裸聊视频� you91裸聊视频檙e praying for everything that exists on the land,91裸聊视频� Edward, a founder and organizer of the annual, explained. 91裸聊视频淲ithout water, we cannot live.91裸聊视频�

He added it91裸聊视频檚 crucial to remind the wider community 91裸聊视频� especially settlers 91裸聊视频� to pray and take care of water, too.

91裸聊视频淭his work is something that will make you proud that you were a part of it one day,91裸聊视频� Edward said. 91裸聊视频淵ou91裸聊视频檙e going to remember 91裸聊视频� as young people 91裸聊视频� this as an important time that you went on this water.

91裸聊视频淲e don91裸聊视频檛 know what91裸聊视频檚 in the future; that91裸聊视频檚 why this prayer is important.91裸聊视频�