South Okanagan Culture Nd NK'Mip Heritage...

NK'Mip and their Heritage

The Osoyoos Indian Band, NK'MIP (the name by which the band refers to itself in the native Okanagan language) was formed on Nov. 21, 1877. As part of the Okanagan Nation, these are a strong, independent and proud people with a rich heritage.

Band historian, Virg Baptiste, says her people were survivalists and had adapted to the rigours of a climate that was stingy with its rainfall, while being overly generous with its heat.

The name NK'MIP (Inkameep) in the Okanagan dialect of the Interior Salish languages means "gateway or doorway to the bottom of the lake system."

The Inkameep lived off the land, lakes and rivers. They hunted, fished and grew crops and gave thanks to the 'Great Spirit' for the elements, the seasons and the bounty they shared. The Osoyoos Indian Band was a trading nation and had developed substantial trade with bands farther north in the Okanagan Valley and the Colville Band in Washington.

One of their sacred spots was an unusual lake noted for its healing powers. Called Kliluk by the Okanagan, this highly mineralized lake is located about eight Km west of Osoyoos. The site is still revered by all the Okanagan Bands, but it is now officially called Spotted Lake.

Economy and Industry

The Osoyoos Indian Band has always been progressive. From the early years of ranching, trading and small farms, the people have continued to change with the times.

The 32,000 acres of Osoyoos Band Land stretches from Gallagher Lake, north of Oliver, all the way to Hwy. 3 at Osoyoos. The land is mostly east of Hwy. 97 with a small section in the north straddling the highway and a larger portion in the south claiming most of the northeast shoreline of Osoyoos Lake.

Huge vineyards sprawl across these lands, which also hosts a winery, a construction company, a sawmill, a housing development, a campground, the newly developed Desert Heritage Centre, 2 Golf Courses, a $100 million resort/spa, an Industrial Park and many other enterprises. The Band manages business with annual budgets in excess of $14 million dollars and administers its own health, social, educational and municipal services.

 Vision, sound business practices, and a Chief who works with his Council on economic development are all reasons for the prosperity the Band is enjoying today.

The Osoyoos Indian Band is one of the only bands in B.C. with virtually no unemployment and has set the goal of achieving economic self sufficiency within its businesses in the near future.

Approximately 370 Band members live on the Osoyoos Indian Reservation. Improvements and modernization are everywhere. During recent years new home construction on the reserve has been swift with growth matching the rest of the South Okanagan each year.