Any day that includes a Shwooshim (Soapberry/Indian Ice Cream) whip-off is a good day. On June 21, Lytton First Nation, Oregon Jack Creek, and Skuppah First Nation joined hands with the Nlaka’pamux Nation Tribal Council to celebrate as part of the National Aboriginal Day of Wellness initiative. Approximately 200 Elders, children, men, women, families, and community members gathered at Pasulko Lake to share a meal, stories, activities and time together.
Highlights included facepainting for kids, scavenger hunt, horseshoe toss, fishing derby, egg toss, bannock, fresh spring salmon with a side of ‘Stawata’ (wild spinach), ‘Tatoon’ (wild potatoes) and good old fashioned hot dogs on the campfire. Building on the momentum of past years, this event has become an annual event that the entire community looks forward to as it surrounds the people especially the youth in Nlaka’pamux culture.
As one attendee notes, "One of the best parts of the event is watching the kids have fun, getting on the land, playing outdoors, interacting with their Elders and learning their culture and lastly, getting away from electronics for a day". Next year, organizers expect to add a mini-pow wow, bone game and story time with Elders for the children. We’d like to thank the Nlaka’mpamux Nation Tribal Council for sharing their story and photos from their Day of Wellness and look forward to next year.