Shape Your Syilx Future: A Journey of Imagination, Innovation, and Community

How do you transform your passions into a livelihood that uplifts your community and aligns with your cultural values? For Syilx participants of Shape Your Syilx Future: A Social Enterprise Journey, the answer lies in weaving together ancestral knowledge, creativity, and entrepreneurial spirit.

This six-month program—co-created by IndigenEYEZ and Purppl in collaboration with Okanagan Nation Alliance—scratches the surface of the boundless possibilities that unfold when Indigenous cultural values and traditional knowledge are embraced and applied within social enterprise ventures. By building a foundation of trust, inspiring imagination, and fostering collaboration, this initiative supports Syilx changemakers in creating meaningful, impactful, and sustainable pathways for their futures.

Celebrating Syilx Strengths

From the outset, Shape Your Syilx Future centered Syilx strengths, honouring the diverse range of gifts and identities of its participants.

The journey began with an in-person gathering in citxʇs paqəlqyn (Naramata, BC), where participants connected with mentors and peers, explored new ideas, and planted the seeds for their entrepreneurial ventures. IndigenEYEZ facilitators led participants through interactive workshops, storytelling, and cultural practices to uncover their talents and reimagine their potential.

“My heart is so full, and I am so inspired,” shared program participant Brianna Wilson. “It was a journey of self-discovery that taught me my strengths, skills, and attributes. I’m truly honoured to be able to explore how my dreams and visions can align with my sqilwcawt (syilx ways of doing or being).”

The program’s inclusive and relational approach met participants wherever they were on their journeys. Whether they arrived with a fully formed vision or simply a spark of curiosity, the space was designed to support and inspire them. This focus on relationality created a learning environment where participants felt seen, respected, and empowered to explore new possibilities.

Syilx Ways of Being and Knowing

At its heart, Shape Your Syilx Future recognized the profound wisdom of Syilx ways of being and knowing. By centering teachings on reciprocity, responsibility, and relationality, the program encouraged participants to view social enterprise as a means of enacting cultural values and addressing community needs.

The Four Food Chiefs is a Syilx captikʷł that is a guiding framework for Syilx-based leadership models. Through storytelling, reflection, and experiential learning, participants explored how the Chiefs’ diverse strengths and responsibilities could inform their work. These teachings inspired participants to discover the environments where they thrive and the unique contributions they bring to their communities.

This approach reframed social enterprise as more than a business model. It became a way to live in a good way, balancing personal fulfillment with cultural and community commitments. Participants were encouraged to envision meaningful, flexible work that aligns with their passions, gifts, and Syilx values.

Brianna reflected on this during the gathering: “We had an opportunity to learn about our captikʷł, ‘How Food Was Given.’ I’ve always had a hard time deciding which Food Chief I resonate with the most because I believe that I embody the qualities of all four Food Chiefs. I learned that y̓il̓mixʷm siyaʔ (Chief Saskatoon Berry) shines through the most because of my creativity and innovation.”

Addressing Barriers, Building Pathways

The journey was not without challenges. Participants identified common barriers such as uncertainty about where to begin, fear of failure, and lack of mentorship.

Shape Your Syilx Future addresses these challenges through:

• Building Trust: Activities emphasizing trust within and among communities as the foundation for successful ventures.
• Cultural Concepts of Responsibility: Exploring creativity, accountability, and care through land-based metaphors and cultural practices.
• Personalized Coaching: One-on-one virtual coaching sessions providing practical tools, mentorship, and encouragement.
• Supportive Resources: Financial assistance for travel and childcare and access to technology ensured full participation.

These supports are brought in to validate participants’ identities and experiences, nurturing their indigeneity and growing their confidence as leaders.

Collaboration Between IndigenEYEZ and Purppl

The success of Shape Your Syilx Future stems from the collaboration between IndigenEYEZ and Purppl.

IndigenEYEZ brought expertise in Indigenous-centred facilitation, combining cultural practices, creative expression, and somatic exercises to inspire growth and imagination. Their approach fostered safer learning environments where participants could see new possibilities for themselves and their communities.

Purppl contributed expertise in social enterprise coaching and development. Through personalized coaching, their team supported participants in navigating challenges, building skills, and connecting with opportunities to develop solid impact-driven businesses that are not only sustainable in the long-term but create lasting returns for the communities they serve.

This partnership highlighted the power of relational, decolonized approaches to learning and entrepreneurship, emphasizing co-creation and respect for Indigenous knowledge.

Planting Seeds for the Future

As participants move forward, the impact of Shape Your Syilx Future is already evident. By providing a culturally grounded space for self-discovery, knowledge sharing, and skill-building, the program has created a possibility space for Syilx youth to imagine and take steps toward meaningful, community-centred work.

“It was an empowering weekend, and I feel like I can take on the world,” Brianna shared. “My mind and spirit are so energized to carry out my vision. I am beautiful because I am Okanagan, and we are beautiful because our land is beautiful.”

Entrepreneurship guided by Indigenous values can be a powerful tool for collective wellbeing. Shape Your Syilx Future is creating a space where cultural teachings, creative facilitation, and personalized coaching converge to support the rise of Syilx innovators and leaders.

PHOTOS CREDIT: Katie Green (Purppl)