By Aaron Hemens, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, IndigiNews Standing by the banks of the nx̌ʷaqʷaʔstn (Mission Creek), Xwayluxalqs holds her rattle between drum songs as she invites people to pray for the waters of her homeland. “People call it a resource,” Xwayluxalqs (Fox Dress) said. “It’s not a resource — it’s our life. It’s Mother Earth’s lifeblood.” The syilx knowledge holder — also known as Tricia Manuel — led a water ceremony in kiʔláwnaʔ (Male Grizzly Bear, or the City of Kelowna) in syilx homelands on Friday, a day ahead of World Water Day. On the warm spring morning, dozens of participants huddled close in a wooded area tucked away beneath a walking path, as curious joggers and dog walkers passed them from above. Xwayluxalqs reminded the sqilx’w (Indigenous) and

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