The sponsorship categories illustrate the importance of entire ecosystem to the health and spirituality of the Okanagan (Syilx) People and of the plants and animals that we honour and depend on for survival.

In the time before the people came, there were four Chiefs: Salmon Chief (NTY TYIX), Bear Chief (S KEMXIST), Bitterroot Chief (SPEET LUM) and Berry Chief (SI YA). These Chiefs gave their lives to provide all the foods that the Syilx people would need to survive: the four footed runners, the water runners, the roots and the fruits. We thank the creator for giving the people the food, we honour the spirit of the food we eat and pray for the continued return of the food in the following year.