About the En'owkin Centre

ABOUT THE EN'OWKIN CENTRE

En'owkin Centre Gathering Space entrance

Located on the Penticton Indian Reserve in the beautiful territory of the Nsyilxcen speaking people,the Syilx. The unique building design reflects a traditional Syilx winter home. It is a gathering place where family, friends and community come to explore , educate, celebrate and replenish themselves spiritually. The En'owkin Centre is a teaching place where story, cooperation, education and artistry come together.

The word En'owkin is an Okanagan conceptual metaphor which describes a process of clarification, conflict resolution and group commitment. We focus on coming to the best solutions possible, through respectful dialogue literally through consensus.

En'owkin provides students with a strong cultural and academic foundation for success in further post-secondary studies. Many former En'owkin students have gone on to become National and Internationally accomplished writers, artists and educators. They have achieved graduate degrees, accolades and are leaders in their communities.
The En'owkin Centre hosts many regional, national and International Indigenous conferences and forums students have acccess to these networking activites and are always encouraged to participate.

We hope that you will join us as a guest, student or friend!

En'owkin Centre poles centrally located in gathering space Our faculty and staff are friendly and helpful. It is our responsibility to treat you as an honoured guest while you are at our centre while in our territory. Our home is your home while you are a guest at En'owkin

To become a friend and to be put on our mailing list please email us at enowkin[at]vip.net

EN'OWKIN CENTRE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

President:
Chief Clarence Louie (Osoyoos Indian Band)

Vice-President:
Henry Michel (Penticton Indian Band)

Secretary/ Treasurer:
Jon Spotted Eagle (Okanagan Indian Band)

Elder Representatives:
Margaret Kruger/ Ethics Chair (Penticton Indian Band)
Irene Bryson (Osoyoos Indian Band)
Hazel Squakin (Upper Similkameen Indian Band)
Antonie Qualtier (Lower Similkameen Indian Band)

Board Members
Lisa Montgomery-Reid (Lower Similkameen Indian Band)
Lauren Terbasket (Lower Similkameen Indian Band)
Chief Joe Dennis (Okanagan Nation Alliance)
Councillor Yvonne Weinert (Osoyoos Indian Band)
Miranda Squakin (Upper Similkameen Indian Band)
Henry Michel/ Joan Phillip (Penticton Indian Band)
Sharon Lindley (Upper Nicola Indian Band)

EN'OWKIN CENTRE PARTNERS AND AFFILIATES

The En'owkin Centre would like to take this time to acknowledge those who have partnered with, supported or those who are affiliated with the En'owkin Centre programs and activities.

University of Victoria:
-One Year Certificate in Foundations in Indigenous Fine Arts

Nicola Valley Institute of Technology:
-College Readiness
-Okanagan Language

University of British Columbia-Okanagan
-Baccalaureate Degree in Indigenous Studies

Okanagan Language Authority/ B.C. College of Teachers
-Certification for N'syilxcen Language Speakers/ Teachers

Theytus Books Ltd.
-Canada's oldest Aboriginal owned & operated Publishing House is housed in the En'owkin Centre

The Lands Conservancy
-Locatee Lands Conservation Project

Centre for Ecoliteracy

South Okanagan Similkameen Conservation Program

South Okanagan Heritage Alliance

It is with these partnerships/ affiliations that allows the En'owkin Centre to achieve such high standards of success.

OUR PHILOSOPHY

The philosophical statement of the En'owkin Centre is handed down to us from our elders. We choose to guide our future development from this philosophy.

We believe as Indigneous people, the Creator has given us a way of life and natural laws which govern our relationship to all living things. We believe the Creator has entrusted to us the responsibility of being 'keepers of the land' of living in harmony and oneness with each other; and maintaining a balance with all things in the environment.

Our knowledge and customs are understood and practiced through our relationships to our land and in the way it protects and ensures our continuance and survival.

Our Mother Earth is a living embodiment of our spirituality and nourishes us in all ways: physical, spiritual, mental and emotional.

Our spirituality is a sacred trust.

The values of our people are contained in our teachings. It is through our values that we live under the instructions of the Creator that form the foundation of our survival. Therefore, our sacred responsibility is to protect our spirituality, culture and land.

OUR MANDATE

The En'owkin is a dynamic institution, which puts into practice the principles of self-determination and the validation of cultural aspirations and identity. An Indigenous cultural, educational, ecological and creative arts organization, the En'owkin Centre is taking a lead role in the development and implementation of Indigenous knowledge and systems, both at the community and international levels.

In consideration of sacred responsibilities given to us by the Creator, upheld through our culture and continues through our elders, we are committed to:

* Provide the educational needs and programs of the Indigenous people with full participation by the elders, the parents and the community

* Enhance the mental, physical, emotional, spiritual and social needs of our people by preserving and reinforcing Indigenous culture, practice and teachings.

* Develop and implement community based education programs, which focus on the needs of the Indigenous community and are controlled and monitored at the community level.

* Restore the Okangan language to its rightful place as the communicator of the culture, under the guidance of the elders.