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Indigenous-owned · Saskatoon, Treaty 6 · Shipping across Canada
An introduction to Kelowna: its history, the Nations whose lands it sits on, and Indigenous community life today, with sources.
The syilx people are the first known inhabitants and continue to live here, and the city’s name comes from an Okanagan word for grizzly bear. Westbank First Nation, one of eight member bands of the Okanagan Nation Alliance, has governed itself under federal self-government legislation since 2005, with its two populated reserves beside West Kelowna on the west side of the lake. Its people speak nsyilxcən, an Interior Salish language. The Ki-Low-Na Friendship Society has served the urban Indigenous community since 1974. Kelowna stands on the traditional, ancestral and unceded territory of the syilx/Okanagan people. The Okanagan Nation Alliance describes the syilx as a trans-boundary people, divided at the 49th parallel by the Canada–U.S. border. Westbank First Nation says its own traditional territory covers roughly 69,000 square kilometres. On October 18, 1963, Westbank First Nation separated from the Okanagan Indian Band, and Norman Lindley became its first elected chief. The Okanagan Nation Alliance formed in 1981.
Kelowna is on the unceded territory of the syilx (Okanagan) people.
Nearby: Westbank First Nation · West Kelowna · Lake Country · Peachland · Vernon
The Okanagan Nation Alliance unites eight communities. They are the Okanagan, Upper Nicola, Westbank, Penticton, Osoyoos, Lower Similkameen and Upper Similkameen bands, plus the Colville Confederated Tribes. Each is represented on a Chiefs Executive Council. The Alliance has worked for more than 20 years to restore salmon spawning and rearing habitat in the Okanagan Basin. It promotes the Spirit of Syilx Unity Run and has scheduled a Walk for the Children on September 30. Across the lake, Westbank First Nation holds five reserves totalling about 5,340 acres. It has more than 900 members, about 60 per cent living on reserve, and over 11,000 non-member residents. Its Sncewips Heritage Museum shares artifacts, oral histories and contemporary art. As of September 2025, the Nation’s government employed 265 staff, and 32 per cent were Westbank members. In the city, Kelowna Museums operates on unceded syilx territory and offers nsyilxcən for Everyone language classes. It also runs Truth and Reconciliation programming with Wildrose Native Traditions. The Okanagan Heritage Museum tells the story of syilx culture alongside settler history. Tourism Kelowna encourages visitors to learn nsyilxcən phrases and support Indigenous-owned businesses.
More on the region: Indigenous British Columbia · all of Canada.
XUSI is an Indigenous-owned business from Saskatoon, started in 2020 by two brothers from northern Saskatchewan. Along with our clothing, we bring Indigenous youth workshops and custom screen printing to Kelowna and across British Columbia.
Strong Roots Strong Future is our interactive workshop for Indigenous youth, led by the two brothers who founded XUSI. We travel to schools, First Nations and Indigenous communities, youth organizations and funding programs in Kelowna and across British Columbia. Youth ages 10 and up work through identity and culture, financial literacy, fitness, entrepreneurship and business skills, career readiness and hands-on screen printing.
Custom t-shirts, hoodies and crewnecks for Kelowna schools, sports teams, businesses, events and First Nations and Indigenous organizations. Send us an idea, get free design help and a full quote before anything is printed. We print in Saskatoon and ship to Kelowna. 10-garment minimum, up to 4 colours per design.
Heavyweight cotton tees, hoodies, crewnecks and A-frame hats with Cree words and the stories behind them. Fitness is part of how XUSI started, so our pieces are built for the gym and the street, and we ship them to Kelowna.
Yes, with a 10-garment minimum. Designs can have up to 4 colours, design help is included, and every order is quoted before printing. Printing happens in Saskatoon and the order is shipped to you.
Orders of $90 or more ship free within Canada. For smaller orders, shipping is calculated at checkout.
Yes. Our custom screen printing suits run days, walks and community gatherings. Orders start at 10 garments, with up to 4 colours per design, and every order is quoted before printing. We help with the design, print in Saskatoon and ship to Kelowna.
Last reviewed . Facts on this page come from the sources listed below.
Orders to Kelowna leave Saskatoon within three business days, printed on Gildan, ALSTYLE, Independent and Bella+Canvas blanks, in the same shop that prints XUSI’s own designs.
The brand is owned by two brothers from northern Saskatchewan, and every word on the clothing is Cree, with the meaning written by them. Browse all XUSI, or read the Meanings page.
