CULTURAL MENU
syilx Okanagan Culture with Anona Fawn Kampe
A member of the Penticton Indian Band or snpintktn in the syilx Okanagan Nation, Anona has worked within the Nation sharing syilx Okanagan culture, language and Indigenous perspectives with many organizations.
Available presentations with Anona are:
Born in Penticton to parents, Ramona Paul who resides in Penticton and the late Garth Brayshaw. Granddaughter to the late Rachel and Basil Paul and the late Kay and Donald Brayshaw. Married to Todd Kampe and together they have two sons, Brandon and Tristan.
An authentic voice from the syilx Okanagan
Anona’s traditional name is sknirÌ“mn, which translates to Buttercup. She is a singer, drum carrier, beadworker, storyteller, dancer, teacher, harvester, disciplinarian, knowledge keeper, nsyilxcn language speaker, land and water protector and a woman who follows Okanagan protocols.
sknir̓mn - Buttercup
Anona Fawn Kampe
250-809-2147
anonak@icloud.com
anonafawnkampe@yahoo.ca
Penticton Indian Band Member
Mailing Address:
408 Green Mountain Rd.
Penticton, BC V2A 0E5
Invite Anona to share with your group
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Book via email
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Provide a few dates to choose from
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Allow up to 3 weeks notice
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Anona will let you know what she needs from you (table, technology, space, seating arrangement etc.)
Benefits
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Authentic learning from a syilx Okanagan person
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Hearing/learning nsyilxcn language
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syilx Okanagan Indigenous perspectives
Traditional Storytelling
​captÃkʷɬ
Duration - 1 - 2 hours
Age - Any
Max Participants - 30
Indigenous Group - syilx Okanagan
Space - Outside or Open Area
Season(s) - Anytime
Needs - Comfortable chair, small table to display characters
Description - Join Anona as she takes you on an entertaining and interactive journey by sharing traditional syilx Okanagan stories called captÃkÊ·Å‚ (chap-teek). The syilx Okanagan people spread knowledge through an oral history spanning thousands of years. She will introduce you to the characters, explaining why they are significant and share traditional teachings within the story. Participants can expect an engaging session. Available stories to choose from are; The Four Food Chiefs - How Food Was Given, Turtle Races Eagle, How Names Were Given, Chipmunk & Owl Woman, Ant & the Boulder, Coyote & Buffalo or Coyote & Eagle.
Regalia Presentation
Duration - 1 hour
Age - Any
Max Participants - 30
Indigenous Group - syilx Okanagan, Ojibway
Space - Open area, large space
Season(s) - Anytime
Needs - Large display table, space for participation
Description - Anona will bring her jingle dress to show and share about. She will explain what a pow-wow is and the various categories at a pow-wow. She will tell the story of the jingle dress and why it is a healing dance. Anona will show participants her beadwork and feathers and explain their use. Participants will have an opportunity to listen to pow-wow music and dance.
Purpose Presentation (Colonization)
Duration - 2 - 3 hours
Age - 10 and up
Max Participants - 30
Indigenous Group - syilx Okanagan
Space - A room with a projector
Season(s) - Anytime
Needs - Technology for slideshow, large table to display artifacts, comfortable chair at front, (set up & take down - 15 min each)
Description - Archaeology studies done in the syilx Okanagan territory tell us that the syilx Okanagan people have been in this territory for 12,000 years at least. Anona will start the interactive presentation with a powerful visual tool explaining time immemorial. She will explain who the syilx Okanagan people are and how they are connected to the plants, animals, land and water in this territory. She will “show and tell” the various artifacts she has collected over the years that explain her people’s purpose and the responsibilities that made them valuable contributors to their society. Then she will briefly touch on the impacts of colonization and some of the struggles Indigenous people face(d) when things started to change once settlers began making this place their home. Anona will explain the loss of purpose and the dysfunction that is connected to this. She will discuss how we can begin to heal from past traumas by reconnecting to culture. It is a prerequisite that participants first experience “Traditional Storytelling” and the story of the Four Food Chiefs with Anona before this presentation.
Sage Harvest
Duration - 2.5 hours
Age - 10 and up
Max Participants - 15
Indigenous Group - syilx Okanagan
Space - Outside
Season(s) - Late Spring to Early Fall
Needs - Reusable bags, dress for the weather, close-toed shoes, transportation, seasonal allergy consideration
Description - Anona will share the simplicity of harvesting sage, a plant that grows plentiful in the syilx Okanagan territory. It is important that those harvesting this medicine, do so with good thoughts in their
mind as that energy is passed on into the harvest. Dried sage is burned in a practice called smudge. Smudge is used during ceremonies to cleanse while fixing our minds. She will show participants the
offering made before snipping the first branch. After gathering sage, participants will learn how to wrap bundles and prep the harvest to be hung and dried. After about 1-2 weeks, Anona will visit again to teach participants how to prep sage bundles to be used personally and/or as gifts.
Mountain Tea Harvest
​x̌ʷəx̌ʷƛ̓mÃɬp
Duration - 3 hours
Age - 10 and up
Max Participants - 20
Indigenous Group - syilx Okanagan
Space - Outside
Season(s) Fall
Needs - Transportation, dress for the weather and wear close toed shoes. Reusable bags or basket
Description - Mountain tea grows plentiful in the syilx Okanagan at a higher elevation in the bog areas where the soil is acidic. This medicinal tea can be harvested in the fall and helps calm anxiety, indigestion, diarrhea, sore throat and is considered a heart medicine. Anona will share with participants the importance of being mindful when harvesting. She will explain reciprocity, make an offering before the harvest and explain the protocols for harvesting. Back in your space, the tea is washed and laid out to dry to preserve it. Once dry, your mountain tea makes a beautiful gift and/or is enjoyed by participants.
Pictograph Trip Overlooking Vaseaux Lake
Duration - 1.5 - 2 hours
Age - 10 and up
Max Participants - 20
Indigenous Group - syilx Okanagan
Space - Outside
Season(s) - Spring, Summer & Fall
Needs - Close toed shoes - there is poison ivy and cactus at this location. Dress for the weather, water, transportation.
Description - Learn about the ancient markings of the syilx people in the Okanagan territory. Anona will explain a vision quest and why the syilx Okanagan people practice this. Once at the pictograph site overlooking Vaseaux Lake, she will show participants a Coyote marker called Coyote’s spear. Anona will share what places are called in the syilx Okanagan language and will also point out various plants, including poison ivy and cactus. We will engage our senses and talk about the importance of getting out in nature.
Talking Circle
Duration - 1 - 2 hours
Age - 10 and up
Max Participants - 30
Indigenous Group - syilx Okanagan
Space - Room with seats in a circle
Season(s) Anytime
Needs - Ensure everyone has used the washroom, once we begin, no one should leave the circle.
Description - A talking circle is a great way to get to know one another and has also been used in conflict resolution. Anona will explain the protocols the syilx Okanagan people follow during a talking circle; The person speaking has everyone’s full attention, no side talking or electronics. No coming and going, once the talking circle begins, we use discipline to remain seated. What is said in the circle, stays in the circle, confidentiality is a must. Once everyone has a chance to check in and introduce themselves, Anona will lead the circle in four rounds. She will explain what direction we follow and why, why a circle, and she will explain why a talking circle is useful.
Learning the Okanagan Song
Duration - 1 hour - 6 sessions required
Age - 5 and up
Max Participants - 30
Indigenous Group - syilx Okanagan
Space - Indoor (music room)
Season(s) - Anytime
Needs - - Image of the Okanagan Song on screen
Description - Anona will share the meaning of the Okanagan song with participants, why this song is significant to the syilx Okanagan Nation and the translation. She will teach participants how to speak the words in nsyilxcn using proper pronunciation explaining each symbol and the sound it makes. She will teach participants how to sing the song using a drum or traditional rattle; melody, beat and tempo. Anona will explain the different parts of a drum & drumstick and traditional rattle and what they are made out of.
Beading
Duration - 2 - 3 hrs - 3 sessions required
Age - 16 and up
Max Participants - 10
Indigenous Group - syilx Okanagan
Space - Room with large tables to share supplies
Season(s) Anytime
Needs - Beads, thread, needles, scissors, backing, pin
Description - Traditionally, Indigenous people would bead with porcupine quills, wood, bone, antler, teeth, claws and shells to name a few. Since contact, beading has evolved to include glass, plastic and metal beads. Indigenous people have shown that you can bead almost anything. Beading is an activity that should be done in small groups so no one is left out, and participants are encouraged to think good thoughts and positive energy goes into their work. Anona will bring samples of her work to show. Participants will enjoy soft flute music as they bead. Participants will have a choice of what pin they bead; poppy, heart, happy face, cancer ribbon, or pride flag. Anona will work with the leader to either obtain supplies or provide supplies depending on the budget. $25.00 per person for supplies.
Learning on the Land
Duration - 2 - 3 hours
Age - 8 and up
Max Participants - 30
Indigenous Group - syilx Okanagan
Space - Outside
Season(s) - Anytime
Needs - Dress for the weather, close-toed shoes
Description - Depending on where you’re located, Anona will work with the leader to bring participants outside to engage their senses. Studies have shown that when you engage your senses, you retain more knowledge. Outside, participants will learn about local plants, animals and landforms. Anona will also share what is harvested where and when and what it is used for. She will share the syilx Okanagan language called nsyilxcn of various plants, insects, animals, birds, place names and water structures.
Beaded Spiders
Duration - 2 - 2.5 hours
Age - 10 and up
Max Participants - 15
Indigenous Group - syilx Okanagan
Space - Room with large tables to share materials
Season(s) Anytime
Needs -Mindfulness
Description - Anona will share the syilx Okanagan story of “Why Spider has Long Legs”. After this traditional story, participants will make a beaded spider with the materials provided. It is important to fix our minds and think good thoughts whenever we are making things with our hands. That good energy will go into our work. These beaded spiders are yours to keep and make beautiful gifts and/or can be used as a hanging ornament in your home, office or car. Each spider will look unique. $15 per person for materials.
Residential School Presentation
Duration - 1 - 1.5 hours
Age - 10 and up
Max Participants - 30
Indigenous Group - syilx Okanagan
Season(s) - Anytime
Needs -Technology to run the slideshow
Description - Anona will share her own family story about Indian Residential School (IRS). IRS were government-funded, church-run facilities where Indigenous children had to go to “Kill the Indian in the Child”, as stated by the Canadian government. A form of assimilation and cultural genocide, it was mandatory for all Indigenous children to attend. If parents tried to keep their children out of these schools, they were arrested and the children were taken anyway. While at these schools, students were forbidden to speak their language, and practice their culture, were segregated from their siblings, neglected and suffered all forms of abuse. In fact, some children never made it home because they died there. Participants can expect to feel anger and sadness when learning about Canada’s shameful history. We will have a check-in at the end of this presentation to take care of any strong feelings.
Seasons
Duration - 1 hour
Age - Any
Max Participants - 30
Indigenous Group - syilx Okanagan
Space - Room with a space to hang a poster
Season(s) Anytime
Needs - Space to hang season poster with magnets
Description - The syilx Okanagan calendar is based on the 13-moon cycle. Anona will share about the various seasons in a calendar year and what the syilx Okanagan people call them in nsyilxcn. She will explain the “months” in a year and also what they are called in the syilx Okanagan language. Anona will share how we follow the harvest from month to month throughout the syilx Okanagan Nation based on what is happening on the land with each change of the moon.
Coyote’s House
Duration - 1 - 1.5 hours
Age - Any
Max Participants - 30
Indigenous Group - syilx Okanagan
Space - Wright’s Beach Camp, Penticton
Season(s) - Anytime
Needs - Transportation to site, dress for the weather, bring a chair or blanket to sit on
Description - Coyote was sent to us to transform the people-eaters. He did this by transforming them into the beautiful landscapes and landforms we see throughout the syilx Okanagan Nation. These landforms always have a story connected to them which teaches us how to live in this place in an ethical way. Coyote has many markers within our Nation and one of his houses is located near Skaha Lake in Penticton at what is now known as Wright’s Beach Camp. At the site, participants will hear the story of how Coyote brought the salmon here. In exchange, he was given a wife and a house.
Nature Hike
Duration - 3 hours
Age - Any
Max Participants - 25
Indigenous Group - syilx Okanagan
Space - Outside, Eastside Rd between Penticton & Okanagan Falls
Season(s) Spring, Summer, Fall
Needs - Transportation to the site, dress for the weather, bring a towel to sit on, bring water, and wear proper footwear since there are a few steep parts. Anona has a few walking sticks for use.
Description - Be my guest at a site overlooking Skaha Lake. While onsite we will learn about the various plants that grow there and the traditional harvesting practices of the syilx Okanagan people. We will also visit a few pictograph sites and hear about a vision quest. We will engage our senses and connect to nature. Anona will share the healing benefits of getting out on the land. This is a challenging hike, come prepared for some great exercise!
Turtle Races Eagle captÃkʷɬ
and Craft
Duration - 2 hours
Age - Any
Max Participants - 20
Indigenous Group - syilx Okanagan
Space - Space with tables to share supplies
Season(s) - Anytime
Needs - We will share supplies for the craft, tables & chairs, internet to view a quick YouTube instructional video.
Description - Anona will share a syilx Okanagan captÃkʷɬ (traditional story) about How Turtle Set the Animals Free. Anona will explain some of the teachings in the story and share the song Turtle sings. After the story, we will have an opportunity to make our own turtle. Depending on age it could be a paper bag puppet, a woven “God’s Eye” pattern or a beaded turtle. Supplies are extra and range from $5 - $15 per participant depending on which craft you decide on.
Okanagan Protocols
Duration - 1 hour
Age - Any
Max Participants - 30
Indigenous Group - syilx Okanagan
Space - Inside or Outside
Season(s) - Anytime
Needs - Technology for slideshow
Description - In an effort to work towards Truth & Reconciliation it is important to understand the reason many Indigenous people follow protocols. Protocols are rules or laws that govern us. Anona will share some basic syilx Okanagan protocols. Once you learn the protocols of this traditional territory, you will be expected to follow them.
Landforms
Duration - 1.5 - 2 hours
Age - Any
Max Participants - 30
Indigenous Group - syilx Okanagan
Space - Inside
Season(s) - Anytime
Needs - Projector, USB will be provided
Description - Dotted throughout the syilx Okanagan Nation are various landforms with stories attached to them. Many are referred to as Coyote markers. In the beginning, the Creator gave Coyote the job of transforming the people eaters so that this place would be safe for the People-to-be. Coyote wasn’t asked to get rid of them but rather to transform them and he did that by transforming them into the beautiful landscape that we see and enjoy today. Our stories will always have a teaching, lesson or moral that helps guide us to live in this place in a good way. This was also how we, the syilx Okanagan, knew we were within the boundaries of our territory because of these marks that have been left behind that we continue to learn from.
Traditional Welcome
When hosting an event in the traditional, ancestral and unceded territory of the syilx Okanagan it is customary to have a local syilx Okanagan Nation member share a Traditional Welcome. Anona will work with your organization and share a traditional welcome to start off your event. She can share a welcome, blessing and sing the Okanagan song, which is the anthem for the syilx Okanagan Nation. Expect this to be between 10 - 15 minutes in length.
