Whether you’re a local or a visitor planning to make a trip to Kelowna for Easter weekend, you should add a stop at the Okanagan Heritage Museum to your to-do list.

The current temporary exhibit at the museum, Our Lives Through Our Eyes: Nk’Mip Children’s Art, features art created by children and youth at the Inkameep Day School on the Osoyoos Indian Band reserve in the 1940s.

Inkameep Day School

Inkameep Day School, 1942. Mr. Walsh with his students Edward, Jane, Harry, Caroline, Liza, Tillie, Alice, Jim S, Noel, Bobby and Raymond. Courtesy of the Osoyoos Museum, #0111.

The art, which includes paintings, drawings, and photographs, became nationally and internationally renowned. The captivating pieces are on public display for the first time in more than 70 years and present a fascinating window into the daily lives of Nk’Mip children during the World War II era.

Our Lives Through Our Eyes is a joint presentation by the Kelowna Museums Society and the Kelowna Art Gallery. It has been on display since January and will be coming to an end later this month, on April 14 at the Kelowna Art Gallery, and April 21 at the Okanagan Heritage Museum.

Before then, the Executive Director of the Kelowna Museums Society, Linda Digby, hopes a few more guests will stop in and enjoy the work:

“Since the exhibit opened earlier this year, guests have told us just how inspiring and truly impactful they have found the display. We’re delighted to have had the opportunity to showcase these wonderful works of art. In fact, we love the exhibit so much we’re going to be holding over our half of the show through Easter!”

NkMip Banner Image

The children created the art under the tutelage of Mr. Anthony Walsh and guests will learn about their history, cultural and environmental knowledge, and experiences. Attending this exhibit is an authentic Okanagan experience and I encourage Kelownians and visitors to check it out!

Dr. Andrea Walsh curated Our Lives Through Our Eyes with assistance from the Osoyoos Indian Band and the Osoyoos Museum Society. There is a final guided tour of the exhibit on Saturday, April 13 from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. The tour will include a ceremony led by Elder Grouse Barnes.

The Okanagan Heritage Museum is located at 470 Queensway Avenue, while you can learn more about upcoming exhibits at Kelowna Museums Society.