Four soulful Vernon experiences with syilx connections

Four soulful Vernon experiences

On your next visit to Vernon, take some time to get to know the syilx and gain syilx perspective. In doing so, you’ll welcome more soul into your time in the Okanagan Valley.

1. Find your way to sacred viewpoints

Viewpoints are sacred spaces for the syilx people.

“Viewpoints are part of our young people's training; it's where they are taught about their land-based roles and responsibilities,” explained Kelsie.

To get you started, here are two: Turtle Mountain, and Foothills Bluffs Trail.

Turtle Mountain

Make your way to Turtle Mountain up an ancient lava flow wall to a sacred space that looks like a turtle when seen from the air. Sit on the lookout over the northern Okanagan Valley with its two lakes in blazing view. And listen for skook and his drum circle welcoming you for a view out and into Vernon’s soul.

SilverStar Foothills

“As far as we look out at these mountains—it’s all syilx Homeland and this is land that the Youth are trained to caretake.” Now through tourism and other economic development for Your syilx Sisters and their colleagues, more opportunities and invitations to share their culture, within their protocol, is coming through.

“skook has been humbly trained to the understand and uphold his responsibilities as one who oversees the caretaking of his homelands,” explains Kelsie.

As we took in this very impressive view, Kelsie relayed how important viewpoints are so you know your areas of responsibility.

For directions and more trail info to Turtle Mountain, Foothills Bluffs and other iconic views, head to the Tourism Vernon website. 

2. Learn about traditional ways, from syilx guides

At Okanagan College take a tour through the K'nmaĺka Senqâĺten Indigenous Gardens, led by a syilx guide who will include traditional plant life & its value brought to his people. We did a story on this last year and you can find that here.

3. Appreciate the syilx history on the land

“Canoe Beach was utilized for trading, ceremonies, celebrations, fishing, hunting and for gathering food,” explains Kelsie. Okanagan Lake is 135kms long, connecting Vernon to Penticton. Goods were moved up and down this lake, and here at Canoe Beach paddlers would rest and take in this impressive setting. 

But note the difference, while you are here at most southern shores of this inlet beach off Okanagan Lake. This part of the beach belongs to the Okanagan Indian Band and has been kept in its natural setting. Take in the interpretation board introducing the history, language and meaning to this spot.

“It’s nice to have the recognition here as we came down here lots before and there was no signage - now when people come here, they know it’s ours,” says 17 year-old kolet Marchand.

4. Hungry yet? Check out Syilx culinary creatives 

All that hiking and soul fueling discovery likely now has you hungry. We got you, as syilx entrepreneurs have been sprouting up to bring new features to Vernon and area’s food and beverage options. 

BannockSlap Burgers 

“It’s like a cruller with meat!” says ZenSeekers photographer Niall Pinder.

“Our difference is deep fried bannock,” explains Bannockslap Burgers owner Shane Miller. Miller is on the road some weekends with his popular food truck but most times basecamp is at the entrance to the nk'maplqs reserve—north end of Okanagan Lake, on Okanagan Indian Band homelands—where travellers are more than welcome (#2 Westside Road, Vernon; just passed Historic O’Keefe Ranch and Spallumcheen Golf Club). 

Miller is eight years into his burger bonanza. When he took his operation into town at the Vernon Farmers' Market, he found 50 per cent or more of the people there didn’t know what bannock was. “Bannock is the hidden gem, it ties people to our culture through food,” explains Miller.

Bannockslap offers a delicious burger served on deep fried bannock, with signature burger sauce served with soul.

Coyote Coffee & Ice Cream

Ryan Oliverius has your back for dessert. Just a bit further down Westside Road is Coyote Coffee & Ice Cream. After four years as OKIB’s youngest councillor, he’s bringing something to the community to fill a gap. 

Opened in 2023 the shop includes an Indigenous clothing and retail presence with local makers. 

Why Coyote? “He was known for being a trickster, my grandpa was called senkl'ip so it’s a nod to him.”

Make either of these stops to fuel up before or after, let them know you are on a journey to discover more about Vernon’s soul, and likely either of them will give you another weeks’ worth of other suggestions!