After regaining rightful ownership in 2001, ONA has been stewarding kłlilx’w (Spotted Lake) — in the face of climate change impacts, pollution and more
cewel’na Leon Louis of the Lower Similkameen Indian Band unlocks the gate that keeps trespassers away from kłlilx’w , and then cautiously descends down a winding, brush-covered dirt path.
“They’ll walk around the circle, and they’ll pray. They’ll tell the lake what sickness is bothering them. Cancer, diabetes, whatever it may be,” he said. “They’ll tell the lake what’s the matter, and one of those circles will say, ‘I am the one that will heal you.’” During the spring season, the spots at kłlilx’w are hidden and flooded by groundwater and runoff. As the summer progresses, the water evaporates to reveal the ridges of chemical deposits.
Under possession of ONA, kłlilx’w is fenced off from the public, and permission is required to access the space. After several decades of advocacy work from syilx Elders and chiefs, ONA worked with the federal government to acquire the 56-acre kłlilx’w site, which is now protected and monitored by its original caretakers.
However, although kłlilx’w is now under the careful protection of the Okanagan Nation Alliance, the site is now being impacted by the broader threat of climate change, which has been a challenge. Louis noted that for the first time in four or five years, he observed a noticeable decline in the lake’s water levels.
“Before contact, when we came here, the Elders said there was kind of like a rainbow over the lake. It was beautiful, this beautiful rainbow over the lake,” he said. “But now, there’s so much pollution.”
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