The City of Vernon is located within the traditional, ancestral, and unceded territory of the Syilx Peoples of the Okanagan Nation, who have inhabited the area for millennia. An Okanagan name for the area is Nintle-Moos-Chin, meaning "jumping over creek", referencing a point where the banks of BX Creek nearly met and it was possible to leap across it. 

In recent years, efforts have been made to build stronger relationships and foster reconciliation between the City of Vernon and the Okanagan Indian Band. YCCBC is grateful to be part of the necessary and ongoing relationship building efforts based on reciprocity. 

The Vernon team invites you to consider taking these action steps as a starting point:

Learn with the Land: Organize or participate in guided learning opportunities at places like sncəcmałqtn Agricultural Park, the nsisúlaʔxʷ Food Forest or the Kalamalka Garden to understand Syilx approaches to food security, restoration, and seasonal cycles.

Integrate Indigenous-informed sustainability education: Partner with Syilx educators and Knowledge Keepers to include Indigenous perspectives in climate, ecology, and community resiliency workshops.