By Aaron Hemens, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, IndigiNews Like his ancestors before him, cewel’na Leon Louis was committed to upholding syilx laws and responsibilities that ensure future generations have the same access to clean lands and waters as he did. The late smǝlqmíx Elder from the Lower Similkameen Indian Band regularly attended and led water ceremonies on both sides of the international colonial border; at different creeks, rivers and lakes throughout the vast territory of the cross-boundary syilx Okanagan Nation. It was at these ceremonies where he prayed for the health of siwɬkʷ (water); for the tmxʷulaxʷ (the land); for the tmixʷ (all living things) — such as ntytyix (Chief Salmon) — and for his own people, including those seven generations from now. “The ones that are not yet born…
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