Hope for Syilx Okanagan Nation as U.S. looks to restore grizzly bear populations – Eagle Valley News
October 10, 2023
‘The kiɁlawnaɁ is a part of who we are’
The Syilx Okanagan Nation is applauding the U.S. government’s plan to restore kiɁlawnaɁ (grizzly bear) populations to the North Cascade mountains in Washington State.
A statement from the Sylix Nation acknowledged the work of the U.S. Department of Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service, and National Park Service to launch a public review outlining the options for restoration.
“Only within the last 150 years have kiɁlawnaɁ been absent from the North Cascades landscape, a result of persecution and overhunting by settlers,” said Chief Clarence Louie, Okanagan Nation Alliance (ONA) tribal chairman.
“The kiɁlawnaɁ is a part of who we are, our nation has worked tirelessly to restore salmon, and now we continue the journey to bring kiɁlawnaɁ home to the North Cascades,”
