PIB Chief Jonathan Kruger, Terry Brewer-Grant County Commissioner, and Grand Chief Stewart Phillip

Money from American utilities is being utilized in part to enhance fish habitat in the Okanagan.

The return of Okanagan Sockeye to our fishing grounds used to be only a dream”, says Grand Chief Stewart Phillip. “In the summer of 2010 we witnessed the salmon come back in the numbers not seen for 100 years. This hatchery is crucial to the Syilx people to realize their dream of restoring the n’titxw (Salmon), one of the ‘Four Food Chiefs,’ to their original habitat and rightful place in Syilx territory.

Penticton Indian Band Chief Jonathan Kruger says “This place is so special because we have an excellent facility and laboratory. We’re looking beyond Sockeye Salmon, looking at Chinook, maybe some Coho, there are even ideas of doing small projects with local sturgeon,” he said.

The 25,000 square foot salmon hatchery will have the capacity to rear up to eight million eggs.

Banner above is a slice of statue image (Clint George) on display at native fish hatchery.