Indigenous Experiences in the Thompson Okanagan
British Columbia is home to 203 Indigenous communities and more than 30 Indigenous languages. It is important to acknowledge that the Thompson Okanagan region is situated on the traditional territory of three Interior Salish nations: the Sylix, Nlaka’pamux, and Secwépemc peoples where we are grateful to have the opportunity to create, collaborate, play, explore, and work.
The Indigenous Peoples have long called this beautiful country, province, and region home. With many Indigenous tourism businesses within BC, there is a unique opportunity to learn from the knowledge and stories of these communities and celebrate their cultures, traditions, and beliefs.
Below are Indigenous tourism businesses in the Thompson Okanagan that are excited to welcome visitors. While exploring this region, whether it be with one of the listed businesses or on your own, tread lightly and help preserve this land like Indigenous communities have done so for centuries.
Nk’Mip Desert Cultural Centre - Osoyoos
Learn about the lands, the legends, and the people of the Sylix Nation at this state-of-the-art interpretive center. Here, you can explore trails through the sagebrush, interact with indoor and outdoor exhibits, and experience a reconstructed village showcasing the rich living culture of the Osoyoos Indian Band.
Along with the interactive exhibits of the Nk’Mip Desert Cultural Centre, the sustainable building itself is something to be amazed by due to its unique architectural features. The building was delicately built into a hillside and is partially underground, a unique way to insulate the building and preserve energy, along with being an homage to the traditional winter dwelling of the Okanagan First Nations. The sides of the building are composed of rammed earth, layers of concrete mixed with local soils, an ancient building technique.
Nk’Mip Desert Cultural Centre - Destination BC/Andrew Strain
Walking tour at Nk'Mip Desert Cultural Centre - Destination BC/Hubert Kang
Nk’Mip Cellars - Osoyoos & Oliver
Nk’Mip Cellars, which is owned by the Osoyoos Indian Band, was the first Indigenous owned and operated winery in BC. This winery holds great pride in preserving the legacy and celebrating the culture of the Sylix Nation. The word Nk’Mip means ‘bottomland’ in English, representing the southernmost end of the Osoyoos reservation where the winery is located. With long hot days and cold nights in the summer, Nk’Mip Cellars offers a diverse selection of red and white wines along with a rose that all reflect the area in which their grapes are grown.
You can find Nk’Mip Cellars in the heart of Osoyoos and in the District Wine Village in Oliver.
Nk’Mip Cellars - Destination BC/Joann Pai
Walking Path at Nk'Mip Desert Cultural Centre - Destination BC/Hubert Kang
The Bear, The Fish, The Root & The Berry - Osoyoos
The Bear, The Fish, The Root & The Berry serves modern vineyard cuisine inspired by Indigenous roots. This restaurant is located inside Spirit Ridge on the traditional land of the Syilx People of the Okanagan Nation. The name of this restaurant was inspired by the creation stories of the Okanagan Nation.
The Bear, The Fish, The Root & The Berry - David McIlvride
Moccasin Trails - Kelowna and Kamloops
Moccasin Trails was created to connect visitors and residents of the Thompson Okanagan with the traditions and cultures of the Okanagan Nation. On the many Moccasin Trails tours, you will enjoy Indigenous inspired cuisine, explore the traditional lands of the Shuswap and Okanagan Nations and hear about their history of trials and successes. Group tours for organizations are also available.
Walking tour with Moccasin Trails in the Okanagan - Indigenous Tourism BC/Brendin Kelly/Moccasin Trails
Tour with Moccasin Trails - Indigenous Tourism BC/Brendin Kelly/Moccasin Trails
Indigenous World Winery - West Kelowna
Focused on creating world class wine in a respectful way to the earth, Indigenous World Winery combines unique terroir of the valley and the Indigenous people's stewardship of these lands. Their grapes are located in the Okanagan and Similkameen Valleys. While tasting their wines, the winery wants you to remember and appreciate that you are sipping on the product of a land that supported the Syilx people for centuries.
Indigenous World Winery - Destination BC/@miraecampbell
Kekuli Bay Café - Merritt, West Kelowna, Kamloops
Kekuli Bay Café, famous for the saying “Don’t panic… We have bannock®” was opened by Sharon Bond in realizing her dreams of opening a restaurant. Here, you will find a unique and traditional Indigenous ambience with aboriginal art, jewellery, light pow wow music, and cuisine. Every meal is served with Bannock.
The name Kekuli means dwelling, built into the ground with logs, tule, dirt, and grass. These dwellings were used for winter homes. Like the Kekuli dwellings, the Kekulis Cafe offers a warm and safe place to enjoy delicious food and drinks.
Food at Kekuli Cafe - Indigenous Tourism BC/Brendin Kelly/ Kekuli Cafe
Eating at Kekuli Cafe - Indigenous Tourism BC/Brendin Kelly/ Kekuli Cafe
*Please note the Talking Rock Golf Course is open however the Quaaout Lodge, Jack Sam’s Restaurant, and Le7Ke Spa will remain closed until further notice due to a devastating fire. For more information please visit their website QuaaoutLodge.com.
Quaaout Lodge is an Indigenous resort where you can enjoy the amenities, cultural features, and attractions of the property. Here, you will find cultural tours where you can experience a smudging ceremony, a walk of the lands, and a story telling experience inside a traditional kekuli. These experiences will allow you to travel back in time and get a glimpse of what life was like for the Secwepemc people before European settlers arrived.
Along with enjoying the cultural aspects of Quaaout Lodge, you can relax at their spa and play a round of golf on their golf course. All of these amenities are located on the shores of Shuswap lake where you can relax or explore via canoe rentals. If you are looking for more on land adventures, the lodge is surrounded by endless hiking trails. Tsutswecw Provincial Park offers endless trails along the Adams River where the sockeye salmon run is found in late September to early October. 2022 is a a dominant year for the salmon run, meaning it will be bigger then it has been in four years.
Quaaout Lodge Lobby - Destination BC/@ebspaj7 Eben Pajanconi
Tour at Quaaout Lodge - Destination BC/@miraecampbell
Learn More About Indigenous Tourism
To find more Indigenous Tourism businesses near you, download the Indigenous Tourism BC Trip Planner app.
Written by Jenna Labossiere
Born and raised in Kelowna, Jenna loves being able to be a tourist in her own backyard. She hopes to be able to showcase the Thompson Okanagan’s local businesses and natural attractions in order to encourage others to take the opportunity to enjoy them as much as she does.
