Protocols are rules or laws that govern us. Our protocols are very simple. We follow them to this day. These protocols are what has allowed our people to live in complete sustainability for thousands of years, since time immemorial.

1) Take Only What You Need

We take only what we need, ensuring that we leave enough behind for others and allowing resources to regenerate. This way, when we return, there will be plenty available for us to gather again. As the Syilx Okanagan people, we recognize our deep connection to this land, which is why we honor and protect it so fiercely.

2) Use What You Take

If you’re going to hunt, fish, or harvest something from the land, it’s essential to utilize what you’ve gathered. The food sourced from the land absorbs all the goodness it receives—from the soil, the beautiful sunshine we enjoy, and the local water. These elements serve as medicine for our bodies. Therefore, as we take from land, we must also give back.

3) If You Cannot Use it, Give It Back

Reciprocity is the principle of giving in return. When I take something from the land, I must also offer something in return. For example, if you’re harvesting vegetables from your garden, there may be parts you won’t use. Instead of discarding those scraps, you compost them. This compost will transform into rich, nutrient-dense soil that you can then contribute back to your garden and your medicines will flourish and replenish for you to use again.

We are honored to have sknir̓mn (Anona Kampe), of the Penticton Indian Band in the Syilx Okanagan Nation, share the Syilx Okanagan protocols.

Anona’s traditional name is sknir̓mn, which translates to Buttercup, and she is a drum carrier, singer, beadworker, basket maker, jingle dancer, harvester, language speaker, storyteller, future Elder in training, land and water protector, lifelong learner, intergenerational trauma survivor, mother, wife, sister, auntie, daughter, cousin, friend and knowledge keeper.

Anona offers a session going into further detail about the Syilx Okanagan Protocols as well as a variety of other presentations and tours, which you can learn more about here: www.anonafawn.ca

See Also

Culture

Suggested Resources

How Food Was Given: Four Food Chiefs

The Syilx Nation's worldview emphasizes interconnectedness, viewing nature relationally without distinction between animate and inanimate beings, including land, animals, and people.

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captikʷł

captikʷł are a collection of teachings about Syilx Okanagan laws, customs, values, and governance structures.

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13 Moon Calendar

The Syilx Okanagan people, like many First Nations, use a 13-moon calendar system, and the turtle's shell is a significant symbol associated with this calendar.

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Ceremonies

Syilx Okanagan ceremony protocols focus on respect for the land, ancestors, and Creator, highlighting reciprocity, humility, and responsibility. They are integral to daily life and guide interactions with the environment and one another.

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