L to R: Chief Byron Louis, Okanagan Indian Band; Amanda Shatzko, Electoral Area C Director, RDNO; Bob Fleming, Electoral Area B Director, RDNO. (photo credit: OKIB/RDNO)

By Kevin Rothwell

Interpretive signage to be placed

Sandy Beach renamed to reflect Syilx tradition

May 21, 2021 | 6:00 AM

It has been in the works since July 2020, when a maintenance agreement was reached between the North Okanagan Regional District (RDNO) and the Okanagan Indian Band (OKIB), and now Sandy Beach, as it has been known, will be officially be referred to as Canoe Beach.

The beach is at the Vernon end of Okanagan Lake, next to Kin Beach which is operated by the City of Vernon.

“This is a good news story,” Electoral Area B Director Bob Fleming told his RDNO colleagues during a board meeting this week.

“Sandy Beach is an important part of a long history of Syilx culture and practice,” OKIB Chief Byron Louis said at the time of the agreement. “Our occupancy and use, such as an important fishery and as a gathering point for our people and visitors, is a matter of public and oral record. Trade and commerce were conducted here, as were celebrations. We are happy to see an agreement that will ensure the beach is maintained to a high standard.”

The Sylix people have long referenced the ‘Vernon arm’ of Okanagan Lake as Canoe Bay, and Kin/Sandy Beach, as Canoe Beach.

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Interpretive signage will be guided by knowledge from the OKIB and installed on the beach to provide beach-goers with information about the history of the land.