Okanagan, also spelled Okanogan, are a First Nations and Indigenous of what is now British Columbia and Washington state. First Nations are Indigenous peoples of Canada. The Okanagan also call themselves the Syilx. They are part of the Interior Salish group (see Salish), which has lived in the area for thousands of years. The establishment of the border between the United States and Canada separated the Okanagan into two peoples. The spelling Okanagan is generally used for the people in British Columbia, whereas those in Washington state go by Okanogan.
Starting in 1821, settlers from the United States and British Columbia moved into the traditional Okanagan area, which covered a portion of what are now northern Washington state and southern British Columbia. That year, the Hudson’s Bay Company took over the fur trade, and the Okanagan area became part of a major trade route in British Columbia. When settlers first entered the area, the Okanagan lived peacefully with them. Eventually, the Oregon Trail and the growing fur trade brought more settlers to the area, leading to conflicts over property. The Okanagan land and people were divided between the United States and British Columbia by the Oregon Treaty in 1846. After British Columbia joined the confederation of Canada, the government designated reserves for its First Nations peoples, giving away the rest of the land to settlers. A reserve is land set aside by the government for a particular people. The Okanagan people had opposed the reserves, unsuccessfully seeking a treaty.
The Okanagan reserves in British Columbia include six sections. The main Okanagan reserve is at the head of Okanagan Lake. The other sections are: (1) Duck Lake, (2) Harris, (3) Otter Lake, (4) Priest Valley, and (5) Swan Lake.
In the United States, Okanogan lands became part of the Columbia Indian Reservation. That reservation was dissolved in 1883. The Okanogan were moved to the Colville Indian Reservation, which opened in 1872. They eventually became part of the Colville Confederated Tribes (see Colville).
The Okanagan traditionally survived through hunting, fishing, farming, and trading. Salmon fishing played a central role in Okanagan society and culture. The arrival of settlers and the separation of the Okanagan onto reservations disrupted their traditional ways of life. The Okanagan are now working to reintroduce and conserve kokanee, a type of salmon; rainbow trout; and sockeye salmon in Okanagan Lake.
The Okanagan Nation Alliance, a First Nations tribal council, formed in 1981. It represents eight communities, including the (1) Colville Confederated Tribes, (2) Lower Similkameen Indian Band, (3) Okanagan Indian Band, (4) Osoyoos Indian Band, (5) Penticton Indian Band, (6) Upper Nicola Band, (7) Upper Similkameen Indian Band, and (8) Westbank First Nation.
