Not all community stories are built from brick and concrete. Some are carried through story, memory, and imagination — on lands and waters that have been home to the Syilx Okanagan people since time immemorial, and continue to be today.

Welcome to the starting point of Downtown Discovery Week.

For the Syilx Okanagan people, this lake and surrounding lands are part of a living system of connection — to water, to wildlife, to seasonal cycles, and to one another. Knowledge, teachings, and stories have been passed down through generations, shaping a deep understanding of place and responsibility to care for it.

Ogopogo, the legendary creature said to inhabit Okanagan Lake, has become a defining part of Kelowna’s identity. But long before it became a local icon, the story of N’ha-a-itk (pronounced nuh-ha-ha-itk) — understood as a powerful spirit of the lake — was shared through Syilx Okanagan oral traditions. These stories speak not only to mystery, but to respect, balance, and the presence of something greater within the water.

Over time, this story was adapted and retold through settler folklore and popular culture, eventually becoming the playful, cartoon-like figure many recognize today. While this version has become widely embraced, it also reflects a shift away from the original cultural meaning — making it important to acknowledge and share the deeper story behind it.

This statue, added to the City’s Public Art Collection in 1998, has become a favourite stop for visitors and locals alike. But what it represents runs much deeper. It reflects how stories — both ancient and evolving — shape identity, connection, and a shared sense of place.

As you begin your Downtown Discovery journey, this is your reminder: community isn’t built by infrastructure alone, but by the stories we carry forward. Some are rooted in generations of knowledge, others in imagination — but all help shape the city we experience today.

And sometimes, the best way to begin… is with a story — and maybe a photo.