At the bottom of kɬúsx̌nítkʷ (Okanagan Lake) in snpink’tn (Penticton) on Aug. 26, community members sing and pray for the health of the land and for those affected by wildfires this summer. Photo by Aaron Hemens

As wildfires continued to burn in syilx Okanagan homelands this week, six gatherings were held at waterways across the region to offer prayers for the land and people affected.

At the bottom of kɬúsx̌nítkʷ (Okanagan Lake) in snpink’tn (Penticton), more than 40 people — Indigenous and non-Indigenous — came together for a ceremony led by Okanagan Nation Alliance’s (ONA) wellness team.

During the emotional event on Wednesday, people who were evacuated or lost homes to the Bald Range wildfire in “Summerland” were encircled and supported by the community, while prayers were made for the health of Mother Earth.

At the bottom of kɬúsx̌nítkʷ (Okanagan Lake) in snpink’tn (Penticton) on Aug. 26, community members gather and pray for the health of the land and for those affected by wildfires this summer. Photo by Aaron Hemens

Before lining up along the lake’s edge to sing, drum, pray and offer tobacco, the group organized themselves into a circle on the beach, where opening remarks were made and the Okanagan Song was sung.

“Today, we ask for prayers for the land; for the water; for all of those that have been impacted out there,” said c̓ʔak̕ʷm Jennifer Lewis, the manager of ONA’s wellness team.

“All of those that have lost things; all of those that have been afraid, and all of the animals and all the plants that are out there.”

As the gathering unfolded on Aug. 26, there were two other ceremonies happening simultaneously at different parts of the lake: one in the central area by Westbank First Nation, and the other at nk̓maplqs (the head of Okanagan Lake) by the Okanagan Indian Band.

The community gathers in a circle at the bottom of kɬúsx̌nítkʷ (Okanagan Lake) in snpink’tn (Penticton) on Aug. 26, ahead of opening remarks, prayers and drum song. Photo by Aaron Hemens

There were also prayer events happening at nkwiritkʷ (Gllimpse Lake) by the Upper Nicola Indian Band, and two others along nməlqytkʷ (the Similkameen River) by the Upper and Lower Similkameen Indian Bands.

“We have so many of our people out on the land right now — within the water, by the water — really praying for all of those things, for all of those living things out there,” c̓ʔak̕ʷm said.

“Song is a prayer. Whatever you feel and say out loud is a prayer. Coming together is so important for that reason. We’re kin — all of us are related.”

c̓ʔak̕ʷm Jennifer Lewis, the manager of Okanagan Nation Alliance’s wellness team, participates in prayers and drum songs for the land and those impacted by wildfires, at the bottom of kɬúsx̌nítkʷ (Okanagan Lake) in snpink’tn (Penticton) on Aug. 26. Photo by Aaron Hemens

After making their prayers through song and other well wishes in the water, people organized themselves into a circle on the beach again.

Those who were evacuated or lost their homes due to the Bald Range wildfire burning nearby were asked to join into a smaller circle within the larger one.

They held hands as nkwancinem Kim Montgomery, the mental health lead for the Okanagan Nation Response Team, stood in the centre and prayed and sang for those who were impacted by the fire.

nkwancinem Kim Montgomery, the mental health lead for the Okanagan Nation Response Team, prays and sings on Aug. 26 for people impacted by the Bald Range wildfire. Photo by Aaron Hemens

The outer circle was then invited to touch the backs of those in the inner.

“We hold you in our hearts. Those of you that have suffered as a result of the fires, you’re in our hearts now,” said y̓ilmixʷm (Chief) sil-teekin Greg Gabriel of Penticton Indian Band.

“These things that we do, we hope it helps.”

As of Friday, the Bradley Creek wildfire that tore through the Okanagan Indian Band community earlier this month remains active but is listed as under control by BC Wildfire Service.

The fire has been devastating for the community, who have shared stories about evacuations, recovery efforts and grief. A t-shirt fundraiser was launchedthis week for those who lost their homes to the blaze.

Community members support people impacted by the Bald Range wildfire on Aug. 26, during a prayer ceremony at the bottom of kɬúsx̌nítkʷ (Okanagan Lake) in snpink’tn (Penticton). Photo by Aaron Hemens

The Bald Range fire that also erupted this month in “Summerland” near snpink’tn is still burning but now recognized as “being held” by the provincial wildfire agency.

The province’s latest drought level bulletin report from Aug. 25 also shows that the Okanagan basin — and the surrounding Nicola and Kettle River basins — is continuing to experience the highest levels of drought on their measuring system scale.

Water scarcity levels in the Okanagan and Nicola basins are also among the highest in the province, according to their recent data.

“We’ve really been through the ringer this year, and it’s going to continue,” c̓ʔak̕ʷm said.

Combined with the wildfires this summer, the drought and water scarcity conditions that have persisted all year are indications that “the land is speaking to us,” she said.

“We’re not meant to live like this here, and the earth reminds us of that all the time. The impact is everybody,” she said.

“I pray that we continue to listen to that … Pray that we can uphold our responsibilities to one another — to the land and to all the living things that are out there.”

After prayers and drum songs, community members release tobacco offerings into kɬúsx̌nítkʷ (Okanagan Lake) in snpink’tn (Penticton) on Aug. 26. Photo by Aaron Hemens

In addition to humans, she reminded everyone in attendance that the animals, the land, and the water are all of our relations, and that people have a responsibility to uphold and protect those relationships.

“We need to take leadership and direction for that, as humans, because it impacts all of us,” she said.

“When we pray, we remember that we have those relationships. We remember that we have those responsibilities. Not only to each other, but to all of those things that are out there.”

After prayers and drum songs, community members release tobacco offerings into kɬúsx̌nítkʷ (Okanagan Lake) in snpink’tn (Penticton) on Aug. 26. Photo by Aaron Hemens

She thanked the firefighters, the City of Penticton and all those who supported those agencies for how they responded and handled the Bald Range wildfire.

“The way that this city came together to support everyone was one of the most beautiful things I’ve ever seen,” she said.

“The way that the people came together was one of the most beautiful responses, in such a terrifying, devastating time.”

Chief Gabriel also thanked those who have supported the community through “these difficult times” of drought and devastating wildfires.

“In our way … we pray to our Mother Earth. We ask all of you to look at what’s happening with our Mother Earth and our waters. The way things are these days — it’s not good,” he said.

Community members line the edge of kɬúsx̌nítkʷ (Okanagan Lake) in snpink’tn (Penticton) on Aug. 26, during a prayer event for the land and those impacted by wildfires. Photo by Aaron Hemens

As a society and the current caretakers of the land, Chief Gabriel said that “we need to do better.”

“We need to come together, as I said, to do better. For our children, for our future generations,” he said.

“When we come together and pray, that’s what we pray for — to make life, to make our Mother Earth, well again.”

The post As wildfires continue to burn, prayer gatherings are held across the Okanagan appeared first on Indiginews.

From Indiginews via This RSS Feed.