Resort’s multi-million dollar gift recognizes Indigenous Peoples

The family behind one of the North Okanagan’s most stunning developments has paid tribute to the heritage of First Nations People.

Gernot Langes-Swarovski, the patriarch of the Swarovski crystal family and visionary behind the Sparkling Hill Resort in Vernon, has unveiled a “multi-million dollar” set of 16 oil paintings cast in crystal, in recognition of Indigenous Peoples.

The first inhabitants of the North Okanagan were part of the Interior Salish people who occupied the Valley for many thousands of years.

“Mr. Langes-Swarovski wanted to find a special and unique way to show his gratitude to the First Nations people of the Okanagan for allowing him to build on their natural pristine ancestry lands,” said a news release from the resort.

“In his search, Mr. Langes-Swarovski reached out to his accomplished, connected and visionary friend, Stephen Cipes, proprietor of Summerhill Pyramid Organic Winery, who is known for his closeness to the Okanagan People. Mr. Cipes was able to find an artist who could create paintings that ‘tell the story’ of the heritage of the Okanagan People for thousands of years. Stephen introduced locally celebrated Okanagan artist Ron Hall aka “Moose” who then worked closely with Mr. Langes-Swarovski’s Sparkling Hill Resort CEO, Hans-Peter Mayr, as well as the Swarovski Creative Team in Austria. They produced sixteen oil paintings, all of which have been cast in crystal in Austria and are now to be exhibited in the stunning Heritage Crystal Tipi,” adds the release.

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The health and wellness resort next door to Predator Ridge, south of Vernon, has a natural setting overlooking Okanagan Lake and the nearby mountains.

“This multi-million dollar gift is such a significant message to the world that it will be recommended to the United Nations Headquarters and the Federal Government of Canada to acquire a reproduced Heritage Crystal Tipi from the Swarovski company,” said the release.

The crystal paintings each have a meaningful story that accompanies each painting, and honor traditions and heritage.

The unveiling today was led by Vernon First Nation Elder Pauline Gregor who also led the Grand Opening of the 149 room ‘healing resort’ in 2010.

Future guests of Sparkling Hill and the public will be able to visit the three-story high Heritage Crystal Tipi and experience the colourful Swarovski crystals as they reflect off the sun during the day and the lights in the evening.

There are over 3.5 million Swarovski crystals throughout the resort creating what the resort says is an ambiance of calm and serenity.