sẁiẁs Park is proudly managed and operated by the Osoyoos Indian Band.
sẁiẁs Park is located within the traditional territory of the Osoyoos Indian Band. Since time immemorial, the Osoyoos Indian Band’s Okanagan ancestors have inhabited and cared for the lands and waters within their traditional territory.
sẁiẁs sounds similar to “s-wee-yous” and means a place where it is shallow or narrow in the middle of the lake. The place name explains how the area was used to cross Osoyoos Lake by foot or by horse.
Audio Files: The nqilxʷcən/nsyilxcən place name for sẁiẁs park was recorded by Osoyoos Indian Band Elder Jane Stelkia and Westbank First Nation Elder and language teacher Delphine Armstrong. Jane’s nqilxʷcən skʷist (traditional name) is qʷʕayxnmitkʷ xʷəstalk̓iyaʔ. Delphine’s nqilxʷcən skʷist (traditional name) is ɬək̓əmxnalqs.
How to pronounce sẁiẁs [MP3]In 2015, the park was renamed to reflect the traditional Okanagan place name for the area. The nqilxʷcən/nsyilxcən place name and history of sẁiẁs have been passed down for thousands of years through the oral tradition of capti’kʷl stories and teachings.
Lakeside campsites and privacy make this one of the most popular provincial parks. Campers are encouraged to book reservations early in the season to secure campsites during the busy summer months.
Park visitors observe nature from the boardwalk through wetlands in sẁiẁs Park.1 / 5