The Nk’Mip Desert Cultural Centre is dedicated to preserving and sharing the stories, art, and history of the Okanagan people who have always called this region home.
The centre just recently completed a Class A archival repository that houses artwork, archives, and cultural belongings and is working towards repatriating cultural treasures from across the world. The project is just one of many efforts of the Nk’Mip Desert Cultural Centre to preserve and pass on the traditional knowledge and practices of its community to future generations.
Jenna Bower, a member of the Osoyoos Indian Band (OIB), has a deep connection to the Centre. She started as an interpreter during her university summer breaks and, after graduating, became the Cultural Coordinator, and quickly grew into her current role of General Manager. Jenna’s role is much more than a job—it’s a continuation of her family’s legacy, as her great grandmother was one of those who helped build the Centre’s foundation.
Staying true to the Centre’s original intentions, Jenna says, “We’re here to preserve and share our language, culture, and history, not only with our own community but with others who are willing to learn.” This vision comes to life through the Centre’s diverse programming for OIB youth, which includes nsyilxcn language education, traditional Okanagan dance, and hands-on food preparation techniques like learning how to properly fillet a fish. The Centre offers engaging public programming for visitors and school groups, featuring guided walks through the stunning desert landscape to a reconstructed Okanagan village. Along the way, participants learn about the local plants and animals of the Osoyoos desert grasslands and discover their traditional uses, enriching their understanding of this unique ecosystem and its cultural significance. Additionally, the “Snakes Alive” program educates guests about various snake species and their habitats, emphasizing safety in rattlesnake country. This program highlights the conservation techniques of the centres Nk’Mip Rattlesnake Research Project and illustrates the importance of the fragile ecosystem for the survival of these remarkable creatures.
For Jenna, preserving her traditional language, nsyilxcn is extremely important. “Our language is highly endangered.” she says. Being one of the few speakers of the nsyilxcn language in OIB, Jenna has been working with the OIB Language House in their language fluency program and finding other creative ways to keep their language alive. Around the Centre, signs with QR codes allow visitors to hear Jenna, her sister, or one of the elders pronouncing the nsyilxcn words on the sign —as it’s difficult to capture the correct pronunciation by phonetic spelling, hearing the words being spoken is very helpful to those seeking to learn the language.
Jenna is also one of the few people who know how to perform the traditional Okanagan style of dancing. The Centre hosts community events to showcase these cultural expressions, and the next step is to teach the youth. However, Jenna acknowledges that this is a gradual process. The women who taught Jenna, her sisters, and her cousins live in a neighboring community, and it’s important to ensure they are included, recognized, and compensated for their time and efforts in continuing this tradition.
Jenna’s leadership honours the legacy of those who came before her, guiding the Nk’Mip Desert Cultural Centre as both a space of cultural preservation and a space of learning for the next generation.
The Nk’Mip Desert Cultural Centre Legacy Fund was established in 2006. The Legacy Fund is an endowment fund that will provide annual operating and program support to the Nk’Mip Desert Cultural Centre’s work to preserve and carry forward the rich history of the land and people of Osoyoos.
