DOWNLOAD EN'OWKIN CENTRE ACADEMIC CALENDAR
Would you like to know more information about the programs and courses offered at The En'owkin Centre? Check out our Academic Calendar!
DOWNLOAD EN'OWKIN CENTRE APPLICATION FORM
Would you like to register for any of En'owkin Centre's programs or courses?
Download our application form
EN'OWKIN CENTRE PROGRAM: INDIGENOUS FINE ARTS
The Indigenous Fine Arts Program exists to develop Indigenous writers and artists, and continues the longstanding partnership with the University of Victoria.
Creative Writing courses focus on contemporary creative writing forms. Indigenous world-view is explored in traditional and contemporary oratory, storytelling, and performance arts.
The Visual Arts courses nurture and develop visual expression in various disciplines, including painting, sculpture, and installation art, by actively engaging students in projects, presentations, and exhibits.
NATIONAL ABORIGINAL PROFESSIONAL ARTS TRAINING
Calling Aboriginal Writers, Visual Artists, Storytellers, Drum makers, Carvers, Weavers, Traditional performers, Singers, Photographers and Film makers
Professional established Aboriginal artists are provided mentorship and creation space to engage in projects, marketing and promotion of their works to develop market ready exhibitions. The NAPAT program was developed to support the learning of how to "revitalize" traditional art form into contemporary practice. It is a professional training opportunity that assists the artist to interpret traditional forms of art in today's context.
NSYILXCEN (OKANAGAN LANGUAGE) & INDIGENOUS STUDIES
The courses at the En'owkin Centre in the Okanagan Language Program are accredited with the Nicola Valley Institute of Technology (NVIT) with transfer to the Okanagan College (OC) and the University of British Columbia of the Okanagan (UBCO).
Students who do not wish to take the courses for college/university accreditation purposes but for personal interest may apply for an En'owkin Centre Certificate upon completion of the program.
2013 Meadowlark Nature Festival events to be held at the ECOmmunity Place Locatee Lands, Okanagan Cultural & Ecological Canoe Trip at Vaseux Lake:
www.meadowlarkfestival.bc.ca -Tours
#18. ECOmmunity Place Indigenous Culture & Ecology Tour
ECOmmunity Place Locatee Lands
Friday, May 17th, 8 - 10 am $20
#27. Species At Risk Habitat Restoration
ECOmmunity Place Locatee Lands
Friday, May 17th, Noon - 3 pm FREE
#41. Cottonwoods Birding Tour
ECOmmunity Place Locatee Lands
Saturday, May 18th, 6:30 - 9:00 am $25
#71. Honouring the Land Celebration
ECOmmunity Place Locatee Lands
Saturday, May 18th, 10:00 am - Noon
(please note: this event appears as a Sunday event on the printed events calendar, but is actually a Saturday event)
FREE
#84. Okanagan Cultural & Ecological Canoe Trip
Vaseux Lake
Monday, May 20th, 8 am – 3 pm $60
Welcome to ECOmmuity Place
For countless centuries the Syilx people of the Okanagan have called the Okanagan-Similkameen valley of British Columbiahome. The knowledge needed for survival was 
passed from one generation to the next through their stories, songs, traditions and customs.
Today, the En'owkin Centre and ECOmmunity Place in Penticton are helping to preserve and perpetuate these rich traditions by providing a strong commitment to protect the Indigenous plants, wildlife, culture and spirituality found within these lands. ECOmmunity Place brings together learning, conservation and culture on a one-hundred (100) hectare site located on the West side of the Okanagan River floodplain. Despite its wild and natural state, it sits across from the City of Penticton, a commercial centre for over 50,000 people living in the Southern Okanagan Valley.
Pressure to develop these lands is strong. In the South Okanagan, riparian and wetland habitats like the one found at ECOmmunity Place have disappeared by up to 87%. While these habitats have historically covered a large portion of the valley bottom, they have been slowly lost to agriculture, golf courses, housing and shopping centres. Efforts to secure these lands as a permanent natural habitat is underway with the goal of creating a valuable educational and ecological space containing some of the most rare habitats in Canada.
The British Columbia Conservation Data Centre has ranked the Southern Interior's cottonwood/ water birch and water birch/ red-osier dogwood riparian ecosystems (like those found on these lands) among the most rare plant communities in the province (they are both Red Listed).
Locatee Lands Project
The En’owkin Centre and ECOmmunity Place (ECOmmunity) in Penticton are helping to preserve and protect the Indigenous plants, wildlife, culture and spirituality found on 
the land. It brings together lands & learning, conservation & culture on a 100- hectare site located on the West side of the Okanagan River Floodplain.
ECOmmunity provides a ‘natural’ venue to host programs, projects, performances, tours, workshops & classes where groups and individuals can explore the natural and cultural qualities that define the uniqueness of the South Okanagan. Restoration and protection projects offer tremendous opportunities to educate and involve the public. Guided interpretive programs provide schools with the educational programs that incorporate curriculum projects which use studies, cultural arts, story telling and Indigenous drama; thus raising visitor awareness around environmental values and the Syilx culture.
ECOmmunity Place Activities
Learning as if Natured Mattered!
A Professional Development Workshop Opportunity
“Learning as if Nature Mattered” is a workshop designed to introduce participants to the concept of eco literacy, developed through a focus on Aboriginal Traditional Knowledge (ATK) combined with Western Scientific methods. Differentiating ATK and Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) from Western Science will be a practical objective. Being ecologically literate or eco literate means to understand the basic principles of ecological communities and to be able to embody them in the daily life of human communities. By increasing access to and including the ATK perspective, connecting traditional forms of knowledge, utilizing contemporary and traditional teaching methods such as (Captikwl) legends, individuals become aware of life’s connectivity to the biological community. This workshop utilizes an ecological learning framework based on traditional First Nation community processes and developed by the En’owkin Centre in collaboration with the Centre for Eco literacy. Concepts are approached by demonstrating how students can be provided learning outcomes that can be explored in the local ecosystem. The workshop will demonstrate ideas on how students can be engaged in fieldwork or field studies, including hands on mapping, inventory, monitoring and restoration projects on the locate lands as a part of developing ECOmmunity; that is a community of eco literate individuals who will be stewards in the future. Increased access and knowledge from diverse perspectives allows the freedom of growth and respect of life through positive hands on experiences.
This workshop has been developed for teachers who would like to integrate the outdoor learning environment and a cross- cultural experience into their curriculum for the school year. This workshop could be beneficial for anyone who has a desire or passion for conservation efforts being made in the South Okanagan and is a model for building sustainable community
Reconnect Project
A project in partnership with Okanagan Similkameen Conservation Alliance (OSCA),
Learn about Species at Risk and conservation efforts through combining Western Scientific approaches and the First Nations Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) at 
ECOmmunity Place. TEK and Biologists provide a summary and updates on the current work and conservation efforts at ECOmmunity Place and how we are working together for increased success. ECOmmunity Place brings together learning, conservation and culture on a one hundred thirty five acre site located on the West side of the Okanagan River. Despite its wild and natural state, it sits across from the City of Penticton, a commercial centre for over 50,000 people living in the Southern Okanagan Valley. At the ECOmmunity Place Conservation Area 
we tour this beautiful area that represents an overview of the South Okanagan habitats and is home to many of the Species at Risk found in our region. As part of being connected to the land and fostering that approach, we will be planting Indigenous Plants and Shrubs as part of our Reconnect Restoration Project.
This Project is all about planting, monitoring the plants and involving both youth and adults. The Youth Reconnect Project is available for private, public and Band run schools, however this year’s project is complete and is based on project funding. The Adult Reconnect project is for decision-making groups like Regional Districts, Band Councils, and City Elected and their respective staff. Those who plant in the spring will come back in the fall and those who come in the fall will come back in the spring to check on their plants at ECOmmunity Place. Shovels and plants provided.
For more information contact CHAD ENEAS, ECOmmunity Place Coordinator
by Phone: 250-493-7181 ext. 2230 or Email: tek[at]vip.net
MAKE A DONATION
Become a sponsor by choosing one of the following tax-deductible donation packages
Black Cotton Wood Donor Package
Donations of less than $249
Red Osier Dogwood Donor Package
Donations from $250 - $499Donations of more than $2,500
programs/ projects
DISCOVER OUR PROGRAMS
For more information on programs contact
Chad Eneas at tek@vip.net
250-493-7181 ext 2230
SEE OUR PROJECTS IN ACTION
For more information on projects contact
Micheal Bezner at mbezener@vip.net
(250) 493 -7181 ext 2230
ECOmmunity Place team
Richard Armstrong, Syilx Knowledge Keeper
Richard is an Aboriginal and Traditional Ecological Knowledge Keeper. Through the use of Captikwl (Okanagan Legends) he shares...
READ FULL BIO HERE
Chad Eneas, ECOmmunity Place Coordinator
Chad is a young Traditional Knowledge Keeper of the Okanagan Nation and works closely with the Elders of our communities. As a past Penticton Indian Band Councillor he continues to...
READ FULL BIO HERE
Micheal Bezener, ECOmmunity Place Program Development
