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OKIB Chief Dan Wilson and Vernon Mayor Victor Cumming unveiling the nsyilxcən name for the Active Living Centre. (Image Credit: City of Vernon)
Where They Gather and Play

Nsyilxcən name given to the Active Living Centre  

Oct 8, 2026 | 11:14 AM

Vernon’s new recreation centre has a name in the language of the local First Nations.

The city unveiled that the Active Living Centre would also be known as snyaʕ̓tán. The name is based on a nsyilxcən word meaning “Where they gather and play.”

The name was suggested by Okanagan Indian Band Elders Pauline Archachan, Herbert Bonneau, Virginia Gregoire and Doreene Kaye.

“The City of Vernon has worked with our community to make sure our language, culture and identity are reflected in this new facility,” OKIB Chief Dan Wilson, stated.

“Our people have been here since time immemorial, and it is important that the places we share recognize both our history and our continued presence here. This is about building relationships, respecting one another and creating spaces where our people and future generations can see themselves and know they belong.”

The name snyaʕ̓tán is displayed on the exterior of the building alongside the Active Living Centre name, as it reflect the facility’s connection to the community and its intended uses of bringing people together to gather, be active and play. 

“The Active Living Centre has always been about creating a welcoming place where people can come together, connect and be active,” Mayor Victor Cumming noted.

“We are grateful to the Okanagan Indian Band for their collaboration in helping bring it forward and naming the facility snyaʕ̓tán. After years of planning, community input and hard work, from the design team to the construction workers, it is exciting to see this facility come to life as we get closer to opening.”

Nsyilxcən is the language of the syilx/Okanagan people and spoken through the territory and will also be incorporated into the new ALC through other design features including welcome messages, translations and educational signage.

The ALC was scheduled to be substantially completed by the end of October and followed by weeks of staff training before opening to the public in the late-fall.

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