Indigenous Experiences
Learning from the Land. Connecting Through Culture.
At Kinnikinnick Landing, we believe meaningful connection to place begins with listening, learning, and spending time on the land.
Through our Indigenous Experiences, guests are invited to learn alongside spaxwawlm / Northern Lights, Krystal Withakay, a Syilx artist and knowledge keeper from Westbank, BC.
Rooted in Syilx culture, language, land knowledge, and lived experience, Krystal creates opportunities for groups to slow down, connect with the land, and gain a deeper understanding of the traditions, practices, and knowledge carried within Syilx territory.
Each experience is shaped by the season, the land, and the needs of the group, creating opportunities for meaningful learning, cultural connection, and shared experience.
Meet Krystal
spaxwawlm / Northern Lights
Krystal Withakay is of the Syilx Nation and from Westbank, BC. A devoted Syilx artist and knowledge keeper, Krystal has more than 20 years of experience and continues her lifelong learning and advocacy in Syilx language and culture.
Her artistic practice and extensive knowledge are rooted in the mentorship, teachings, and continued support she has received within her traditional territory. Through her work, Krystal shares knowledge through lived experience, creating space for others to listen, learn, and develop a deeper relationship with the land and the cultural practices connected to it.
At Kinnikinnick Landing, Krystal offers a range of seasonal, land-based, and wellness experiences designed to foster connection, curiosity, and understanding.
Krystal’s Offerings
Seasonal Workshops
Minimum 4 hours
Seasonal workshops are offered when plants and organic materials are available and in season. These hands-on experiences provide an opportunity to learn about traditional and contemporary food sovereignty practices and land-based skills within the Okanagan Valley.
Workshops may include:
Wild food processing, including smoking, drying, and canning
Weaving
Hide tanning
Tool making
Seasonal teachings and sharing related to food sovereignty
Because these experiences are guided by the seasons, offerings may vary throughout the year.
Guided Syilx Wellness Experiences
Minimum 2 hours | Offered year-round
Join Krystal in exploring aspects of Syilx wellness through practices informed by her own lived experience and relationship with the land.
These guided experiences provide an opportunity to:
Explore Syilx wellness practices
Learn about incorporating wellness into daily life
Work with locally harvested plant helpers
Spend intentional time connecting with the land and yourself
Land Tours
Minimum 3 hours | Seasonal availability
Land tours take place in park spaces throughout the Westbank and Kelowna areas and are offered from early March through late June and early September through late November.
Groups will gather and launch from Kinnikinnick Landing before being guided on the land by Krystal.
Land-based learning may include:
An introduction to pre-contact, contact, and contemporary milestones of the Syilx Nation
Learning about the land through Krystal's lived experience and knowledge
Opportunities to listen, observe, ask questions, and develop a deeper understanding of the territory
These experiences offer a chance to move beyond simply visiting a place—to spend time learning from someone with a lifelong relationship to the land and its teachings.
Create an Experience for Your Group
Every group is different, and each experience can be customized according to your group's interests, needs, and available time.
Groups of 10–40 participants are welcome. Experiences are best suited for ages 14+.
Whether you're planning a team gathering, educational experience, retreat, cultural learning opportunity, or private group experience, we invite you to connect with Krystal to discuss your goals and create an experience that is meaningful for your group.
Come to the Land. Listen. Learn. Connect
Interested in creating a customized Indigenous experience at Kinnikinnick Landing?
Connect with us to discuss your group, preferred experience, seasonal availability, and how we can create a meaningful land-based experience together.
