Legacy of Smǝlqmíx Elder Cewel’na Honoured at Syilx Water Gathering
The forum continued with a water ceremony and tributes as attendees honored his advocacy for clean water and future generations.
- The Okanagan Nation Alliance honored water Elder Leon Louis at their annual Water and Climate Forum in Kelowna, recognizing his lifelong advocacy for regional water health following his March 21 passing.
- Two years ago, cewel'na warned of a syilx prophecy concerning loss of access to traditional foods, medicines, and water; he dedicated his life to upholding syilx laws ensuring future generations inherit clean lands and waterways.
- Okanagan Basin endures a fourth year of drought with snowpack levels at 31% of normal, while Interior Health issued 1,059 water system advisories for the Okanagan-Similkameen between 2016 and 2025.
- Led by xwayluxalqs Tricia Manuel, participants held a water ceremony at Okanagan Lake on March 24, distributing ceremonial jars of headwaters to remind attendees of their role in preserving pristine water.
- Climate change, consecutive droughts, and wildfire events in 2017, 2021 and 2023 continue to threaten Okanagan source watersheds, complicating efforts to maintain clean, accessible water for regional communities.
12 Articles
12 Articles
Legacy of smǝlqmíx Elder cewel’na honoured at syilx water gathering - Creston Valley Advance
Like his ancestors before him, cewel’na Leon Louis was committed to upholding syilx laws and responsibilities that ensure future generations have the same access to clean lands and waters as he did. The late smǝlqmíx Elder from the Lower Similkameen Indian Band regularly attended and led water ceremonies on both sides of the international colonial border; at different creeks, rivers and lakes throughout the vast territory of the cross-boundary s…
Legacy of smǝlqmíx Elder cewel’na honoured at syilx water gathering - Fort St. James Caledonia Courier
Like his ancestors before him, cewel’na Leon Louis was committed to upholding syilx laws and responsibilities that ensure future generations have the same access to clean lands and waters as he did. The late smǝlqmíx Elder from the Lower Similkameen Indian Band regularly attended and led water ceremonies on both sides of the international colonial border; at different creeks, rivers and lakes throughout the vast territory of the cross-boundary s…
Legacy of smǝlqmíx Elder cewel’na honoured at syilx water gathering - Grand Forks Gazette
Like his ancestors before him, cewel’na Leon Louis was committed to upholding syilx laws and responsibilities that ensure future generations have the same access to clean lands and waters as he did. The late smǝlqmíx Elder from the Lower Similkameen Indian Band regularly attended and led water ceremonies on both sides of the international colonial border; at different creeks, rivers and lakes throughout the vast territory of the cross-boundary s…
Legacy of smǝlqmíx Elder cewel’na honoured at syilx water gathering - Vanderhoof Omineca Express
Like his ancestors before him, cewel’na Leon Louis was committed to upholding syilx laws and responsibilities that ensure future generations have the same access to clean lands and waters as he did. The late smǝlqmíx Elder from the Lower Similkameen Indian Band regularly attended and led water ceremonies on both sides of the international colonial border; at different creeks, rivers and lakes throughout the vast territory of the cross-boundary s…
Legacy of smǝlqmíx Elder cewel’na honoured at syilx water gathering - Northern Sentinel
Like his ancestors before him, cewel’na Leon Louis was committed to upholding syilx laws and responsibilities that ensure future generations have the same access to clean lands and waters as he did. The late smǝlqmíx Elder from the Lower Similkameen Indian Band regularly attended and led water ceremonies on both sides of the international colonial border; at different creeks, rivers and lakes throughout the vast territory of the cross-boundary s…
Kelowna Capital News
Legacy of smǝlqmíx Elder cewel’na honoured at syilx water gathering
Like his ancestors before him, cewel’na Leon Louis was committed to upholding syilx laws and responsibilities that ensure future generations have the same access to clean lands and waters as he did. The late smǝlqmíx Elder from the Lower Similkameen Indian Band regularly attended and led water ceremonies on both sides of the international colonial border; at different creeks, rivers and lakes throughout the vast territory of the cross-boundary s…
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