Fantastic weaving of story-telling from our recent Nk’mip (Osoyoos Lake) water science forum from IndigiNews's Aaron Hemens : indiginews.com/features/caret… Looking to get involved? Read on 🧵 #OLWSF2022 #Nkmip #OsoyoosLake #Okanagan #Okanogan ONA IJC - International Joint Commission

If you've ever seen kłlilx’w (#SpottedLake), you can't help but be awestruck. But it's under increasing threat from climate change, populat'n growth, pollution & more. Lim’limpt to Elder cewel’na Leon Louis who led #Nkmip (#Osoyoos Lk) water forum attendees on a tour. #olwsf2022

Indeed, this is an excellent recap! We really enjoyed the facilitation using the Four Food Chiefs as our guide. It made for dynamic and rich discussions. #OLWSF2022

Excellent recap of some of the discussion from the first 1.5 days of the recent 3-day #Nkmip (#OsoyoosLake) water forum, bridging Indigenous & western knowledge to address water & climate challenges in #Okanagan #Okanogan. indiginews.com/features/syilx… via IndigiNews #OLWSF2022

Thank you to Brian Guy for providing the final keynote at the “#Nkmip (#OsoyoosLake ) - Heart of the Watershed” water forum, giving an update on work to modernize the Okanagan Lake Regulation System. #olwsf2022 #okanagan #okanogan

In reviewing water quality issues at the #nkmip (#OsoyoosLake ) water forum, topics included lake contaminants in sediments & their disturbance by large boat wakes, impacts on fish, and how a warming climate and future human develop’t will further impact salmon stock. #olwsf2022

“Flooding is only a problem because we made it a problem,” explains ONA fisheries biologist Natasha Lukey. “We need to need to give back space.” #nkmip #osoyooslake #olwsf2022 #okanagan #okanogan

And thanks to ONA’s Natasha Lukey, presenting on “Restoring sq̓awsitkww (Okanagan River)’s Ecosystem Health by Putting Back Salmonid Floodplain Habitat.” #olwsf2022 #Okanagan

While heart-breaking to see the impacts as dikes, dams & communities have continued to grow on floodplains over the last several decades in the Okanagan-Okanogan, it is truly inspiring to see what is possible when water is given more space. #olwsf2022 #okanagan

Attendees were asked to reflect on how the strengths of the Four Food Chiefs can - and should - be included in Okanagan-Okanogan watershed planning. #olwsf2022

After hearing about ONA Syilx-led kɬúsx̌nítkw (Okanagan Lk) Responsibility Planning Initiative & IJC - International Joint Commission’s Int’l Watershed Initiative, attendees were challenged to think about the strengths each of the Four Food Chiefs bring.… #nkmip #OsoyoosLake #olwsf2022

More on the Int’l Watershed Initiative from Merrill-Ann Phare in the clip here. #olwsf2022

Thank you to Lance Yohe & Merrill-Ann Phare for providing an overview of the IJC - International Joint Commission , the role of the Int’l Osoyoos Lk Brd of Control within IJC, and what’s possible in the yrs ahead with the Int’l Watershed Initiative. #nkmip #osoyooslake #olwsf2022 #okanagan #okanogan

Great to hear from Syilx Nation member Tessa Terbasket & Scott Boswell, with Okanagan Collaborative Conservation Prog. with an update on the ongoing kɬúsx̌nítkw (Okanagan Lake) Responsibility Planning Initiative. #nkmip #osoyooslake #olwsf2022 #okanagan #okanogan

Wonderful to see the grand opening of the WaterWays exhibit at #Osoyoos Museum & Archives as part of the “Nk’mip (Osoyoos Lake) - Heart of the Watershed” water science forum. #nkmip #osoyooslake #olwsf2022 #okanagan #okanogan

“Being a western scientist, I know the limitations.” You need to talk to the people of the area and get the oral history, explained Myrle Ballard at the closing of Day 2 of the #Nkmip (#OsoyoosLake) - Heart of the Watershed” water science forum. #olwsf2022 #okanagan #okanogan

Commissioner Yohe speaking at the Osoyoos Lake Water Science Forum about the IJC's International Watershed Initiative #olwsf2022 with Commissioner Phare joining virtually fal.cn/3tc0J

“The wellness of one is the wellness of all.” IndigenEYEZ’s Kelly Terbasket begins Day 2 of the Nk’mip (Osoyoos Lake) water science forum. There is water within all life. We are all connected. #nkmip #Okanagan #Okanogan #olwsf2022

Delegates were encouraged to keep the 4 Food Chiefs - and how they relate in the world - in mind as they listened to presentations, thinking about how they as individuals could help meet the challenges presented. #nkmip #osoyooslake #olwsf2022 #okanagan #okanogan

Introducing the four food chiefs, delegates are asked which chief they most relate to. Each plays an important role in moving the conversation and actions on water forward. #nkmip #osoyooslake #olwsf2022 #okanagan #okanogan