Nicole Hancock
Indigenous community hosts full moon ceremony ...

Kristen Villebrun and Wendy Bush hoped they wouldn't have to pray for Chedoke Creek, but four years after they first raised alarm about the water's condition, they were part of an Indigenous full moon ceremony to do just that. About 50 people showed up near Princess Point on the dark and frigid Monday evening for the monthly ceremony, which was particularly special as it focused on Chedoke Creek. The body of water that runs into Cootes Paradise had about 24 billion litres of sewage and storm water runoff leak into it due to a gate being left open.

Indigenous community hosts full moon ceremony to heal Chedoke Creek

Okanagan Lake

The 15 Best Lakes in Canada for Boating

The 15 Best Lakes in Canada for Boating

Nestled across the diverse landscapes of Canada lies a series of remarkable lakes, each offering unique natural beauty and boating opportunities. From the tranquil waters of Porters Lake in Nova Scotia to the expansive majesty of Lake of the Woods in Ontario, these lakes beckon boating enthusiasts worldwide. Whether seeking the thrill of speed boating or the tranquility of kayaking, these waters cater to all. Moreover, according to the Canadian government, Canada is home to over an astonishing 2 million lakes. With so many lakes, narrowing it down to the best is impossible. However, this article will explore a handful of the best lakes across Canada, showcasing the diversity of its waters.

Photo of Okanagan Lake wins award in Canada-wide contest

Photo of Okanagan Lake wins award in Canada-wide contest

A photo of Lake Okanagan won the Judges' Favourite Award in the Lake Landscapes category in the 2023 Lake Biodiversity Photo Challenge, organized by Living Lakes Canada. For the first time since the contest was launched in 2020, photos were submitted from every province and territory across the country. There were 629 submissions this year and a Public Favourite winner was selected in four different categories using an online voting system where a total of 1,609 votes were cast in August.

An Indigenous approach to understanding water

An Indigenous approach to understanding water

“siwɬkʷ (WATER) IS SACRED AND IS LIFE FOR ALL PEOPLE. We know from our histories and our knowledge that water is one of the most important resources available to humans and animals.” But for Dawn Machin and Sarah Alexis, both from snƛ̓x̌ʷx̌ʷtan (Six-Mile Creek area in the North Arm of Okanagan Lake), there’s a disconnect between what water represents to humanity and how it’s perceived.

B.C.’s new model for predicting runoff into Okanagan Lake has a very different forecast for 2023

B.C.’s new model for predicting runoff into Okanagan Lake has a very different forecast for 2023

Each year heading into spring melt, B.C. tries its best to predict how much water will runoff into Okanagan Lake and other water bodies in the province. It’s important information as the provincial government manages the lake level using a dam in Penticton and has to strike the right balance to ensure sufficient water in the lake to last through the hot and dry summer, but not so much it causes flooding.

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.

Waterspouts dance on lake

Waterspouts dance on lake

The bone-chilling temperatures in the Okanagan are resulting in interesting cloud formations over the lake. Kevin Blakely captured a photo from his home in Lake Country of a waterspout dancing on Okanagan Lake Monday morning. Jordan Hagloff took his own photo from West Kelowna on Boxing Day of a similar phenomenon. Waterspouts on Okanagan Lake are not unusual when temperatures plummet.

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 is sacred’: Women and water celebrated in first of its kind event in Peachland

‘Water is sacred’: Women and water celebrated in first of its kind event in Peachland

“When settlers arrived, you could drink the water from our creeks. Now, in 50 years, you can’t drink the water from our lakes or creeks or eat the vegetation on our lakeshore.” Today, the women who attended the first annual tea and bannock celebration in Peachland, are trying to do something about it, with a Syilx water declaration that they hope will inspire other communities to do the same.

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