This new art exhibit asks: what does it mean to be syilx?

A connection to land, culture, and community.

That’s what it means to be syilx for Kayt Ell, a member of Westbank First Nation and the communications coordinator at the Sncəwips Heritage Museum in West Kelowna.

“The word syilx means weaving many strands together to create one strong hold,” she told Kelowna10. “We always look out for each other, care for each other, and that’s what syilx community is to me, that connection we have and that inherent human kindness we show one another.”

As part of National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, a new exhibit launched at the museum as a way for members of the syilx community to express themselves through paintings.

“This exhibit was created over a month, during which we had four paint night events for our community members… to learn more about themselves and their identities,” Ell said. “That’s what we’re premiering today, all of their pieces, all of their voices.”

She said it’s important for people to understand that the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation isn’t the only day Indigenous and syilx stories should be amplified.

“For us, this day is every day, so it’s important to have our voices out there in this space… which is why this exhibit will be up for the foreseeable future,” Ell explained. “Having this [released] on this day when the world is looking at Indigenous peoples for guidance, is super important.”

Ell said the Sncəwips Heritage Museum is a space where people can feel comfortable asking uncomfortable questions that will always be answered with care and compassion in an honest and authentic way.

“Misunderstandings cannot be broken down if we don’t ask those hard questions, those questions we don’t know the answers to,” she said. “I think one of the biggest misunderstandings we face is that all Indigenous peoples are the same, that we all have the same culture, but that’s just not the case.”