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Chief Byron Louis

Efforts underway to retrieve cattle from Okanagan Lake after they plunged through ice and drowned

Efforts underway to retrieve cattle from Okanagan Lake after they plunged through ice and drowned

"We're working with the Ministry of Environment on what steps to take ... We need to make sure it's handled properly as it's a safety issue. And we don't want to have any impact on drinking water." The loss of that many cattle "is a huge loss for any rancher," the chief added, and the recovery has a limited window to happen before it could potentially impact water quality and also before the carcasses are no longer suitable to go to the rendering plant.

Calgary mural coined 'Bownessie' tells fictional story of creature found in Bowness lagoon

Calgary mural coined 'Bownessie' tells fictional story of creature found in Bowness lagoon

The article described the catch as an "Ogopogo," which is a gibberish word derived from nx̌ax̌aitkʷ in the Syilx language — pronounced "n-ha-ha-it-koo" — meaning "something in the water," according to Chief Byron Louis of the Okanagan Indian Band, one of the seven communities of the Syilx Nation in B.C. The mystical creature's name and story carry religious meaning to the Syilx Nation and is believed to inhabit Okanagan Lake.

Water project a first in Canada

Water project a first in Canada

The first Indigenous owned and operated water utility in Canada developed by way of public-private-community partnership is a step closer to reality in the North Okanagan. A formal agreement has been signed between the Okanagan Indian Band Group of Companies, EPCOR and Enterprise Canada. The companies will identify commercial opportunities in utilities-related infrastructure, including water, wastewater and irrigation management, to provide quality drinking water and ensure adequate firefighting supply to serve the OKIB reserve lands.

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