Available media resources:

Audio Clips

In this section you will find audio recordings which were created specifically for this website to be shared with the general public and all site visitors. You will be able to listen to Okanagan songs and read descriptives of each song and of the singer. You will also be able to access clips of Audio commentaries by the Late Grand Chief of the Okanagan Nation, Archie Jack as he discusses several issues in the Nsyilxcen language, with descriptives in English. Although there are descriptive summaries of the audio commentaries, the audio clips are not transcirbed word for word.

Welcome Song (00:02:12) Family Song (00:03:18) Stick Game Song (00:00:56)

Performed by elder Joe Pierre of P.I.B. This is a song to be sung by members of the Pierre family to welcome guests or during special celebrations, occasions & events.
Note: Different families have different welcome songs and these songs are not meant to have words, the melody of the song is used to carry a message from the people who are being sung to, the singer and to the creator.

Performed by Joe Pierre & family of P.I.B. This song is a song usually performed by members of the Pierre family. It is used as a method of creating a sense of togetherness and unity amongst family members.
Note: These are songs which are shared and taught amongst family members. There are several types of family songs: berry picking songs, horse riding songs, hunting songs...

Performed by Joe Pierre & family of P.I.B. This song is generally performed with playing the stick/ bone game (aka lahal).
Note: The stick/ bone game (lahal) is a team sport with a minimal of three (3) players per team which tests the players hand-eye coordination skills level.
*Refer to attached note.
PLEASE NOTE: Download stickgame.PDF (prepared by Richard Armstrong) for more more details on stick games.

Click here if you do not have ADOBE READER (required to view all PDF documents ).


Okanagan Honor Song (00:02:42) Legends Commentary (00:00:32) Four Chiefs Comm. (00:00:34)
Performed by Inez Pierre & family P.I.B. This song is considered to be an anthem amongst its communities, tribes (U.S.A.) and the members. Late Grand Chief Archie jack is speaking of the Okanagan storytelling tradition and explans that songs are a part of our storytelling traditions. Late Grand Chief Archie Jack explains there a special protocols used when gathering foods which need to be remembered.

PLEASE NOTE: In the FOUR CHIEFS audio commentary by the Late Grand Chief, he does not provide specific examples of protocols used when gathering foods, he only states the protocols need to be remembered.
Hunting Commentary (00:00:45) Pictographs Commentary (00:00:31) Ecology Comm. (00:00:24)
Late Grand Chief Archie Jack says the Syilx still carry on the old traditions and maintain proper protocols but alot of it is becoming not as well practiced as it used to be, although they are still used today. Late Grand Chief Archie Jack talks about the puberty training of young adults. He explains the evidence of this highly disciplined training is written on stones and are now called pictographs. Late Grand Chief Archie Jack says ecology is defined by western science as the land, plants, birds & animals - our perspective includes people.