Osoyoos Indian Band invites visitors for National Indigenous History Month

In honour of National Indigenous History Month, the Osoyoos Indian Band and local business partners are inviting travellers to immerse themselves in Okanagan Nation culture while soaking in the unparalleled landscapes of their sacred land.

Throughout spring and summer, travellers who stay at Spirit Ridge can book the First Nations Package, which offers two nights of luxury interwoven with traditional art, food and stories of the Osoyoos Indian Band.

The package features a Land to Legacy Tour for two at Nk’Mip Cellars, which guides visitors through the complex world of winemaking — from grape to glass — supplemented by tastings.

During the tour, guests will learn about Nk’Mip Cellars' legacy as the first Aboriginal-owned and operated winery in North America while strolling among the vines where grapes are grown and harvested.

The package also includes two passes to the nearby Nk’Mip Desert Cultural Centre, where the Osoyoos band honours its past by showcasing artifacts, and with interactive displays and authentic storytelling.

Spirit Ridge’s First Nations Package starts at $199 (based on double occupancy), and is available through Oct. 31.

Those visiting the region on National Indigenous Peoples Day (June 21) are encouraged to join fellow food-lovers at the Elements long table dinner, hosted on the patio at Nk’Mip Cellars.

The five-course feast inspired by the elements of Earth, Air, Fire and Water will be prepared by leading Aboriginal chefs who will gather in the South Okanagan to share with guests the history and culinary culture of Indigenous peoples.

Chefs include Shane Chartrand, whose roots are with the Enoch Cree Nation, Joseph Shawana, who is of Odawa heritage, and whose training in classical French cooking adds a distinctive flair to his traditional Aboriginal dishes, and Orlin Godfrey, whose cuisine is inspired by local produce and timehonoured techniques of the Okanagan people.

Event tickets cost $155 (plus tax), and can be purchased at https://kiosk.eztix.co/kiosk-optimised/737682.