Honouring the Land, People, and Traditions: Celebrating National Indigenous History Month & Indigenous Peoples Day

June is National Indigenous History Month in Canada, a time to reflect, learn, and celebrate the rich cultures, histories, and contributions of Indigenous Peoples. For the Osoyoos Indian Band (OIB), this month holds deep meaning. It is a time to honour the land, uplift community voices, and continue the work of preserving and sharing the knowledge that has sustained the Syilx people for generations.

On June 21, Indigenous Peoples Day, we celebrate the unique heritage and enduring strength of First Nations across the country. For OIB and our forestry company, Siya Forestry, it is also a moment to reflect on how deeply the land shapes our identity, our values, and our vision for the future.

We acknowledge and give thanks to the traditional territory of the Osoyoos Indian Band, which stretches from the South Okanagan into the West Kootenays. This land is more than just a place to live and work; it is a source of knowledge, medicine, culture, and belonging. Every plant, waterway, and mountain tells a story passed down through generations.

At Siya Forestry, we are proud to support the Osoyoos Indian Band’s commitment to stewarding these lands in a way that honours cultural practices and sustains ecological balance. We are working together to strengthen connections between people and places through initiatives such as the Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFP) project, wildfire risk reduction efforts, and community-based planting and restoration projects.

This month, we invite our partners, friends, and community members to take a moment to listen, learn, and take action. Whether it’s attending a cultural event, reading Indigenous literature, supporting local Indigenous businesses, or taking time on the land with respect and intention, each step matters.

Let us celebrate the strength of Indigenous Peoples not just this month but every day. And let us continue to build a future rooted in respect, reciprocity, and the enduring relationship between people and the land.