The faces of the audience told there own story during The Road Ahead forum Wednesday evening, as they listened with rapt attention while panelists talked not only about not only the past history of the Penticton Indian Band and the Okanagan Nation, but also about their plans for the future.

Though he was just supposed to moderate the show, hereditary chief Adam Eneas started it off, telling how in the early days of European settlement in the area there was equal trade crossing back and forth across the Okanagan River.

“There was good relations between our peoples, we were economic equals,” said Eneas. “We both traded back and forth equally.”

That came to an end, he said, with the full enforcement of the Indian Act and the introduction of welfare, resulting in what he called “putting up the buckskin curtain.”

“It restricted that free passage,” said Eneas. “To me, those two things were the most destructive.”

But he admits through all the talk about past road blocks, blockades and and other problems, there was also an underlying theme of optimism that not only was a strong relationship being restored, but that the Syilx had much to share, in diplomacy, arts, conservation and other fields.

Jeannette Armstrong, executive director of the En’owkin Centre, spoke strongly on the subject of the environment, and the willingness of the Syilx people to share their traditional environmental knowledge, describing the Sylix world view, seeing all living creatures as related and equally worthy of respect and care.

“They are just as close to us as you are and we have to find a way to restore them back to the land and we have to find a way to do that together,” she said. “I think our people have a lot to contribute to that in terms of restoration, sustainability and conservation and a new economy.”

Lauren Terbasket, director of education at the centre, expanded on Armstrong’s comments, detailing some of the consensus and relationship-building that the Sylix have to offer, adding her view that taking the road to sharing these processes is an obligation in order to improve society for all.

“I think it’s a pretty bright road and it’s a pretty important road,” she said.

Though not part of the panel, Grand Chief Stewart Phillip joined the group to underline the importance of the dialogue.

“What you've heard here is a just small glimpse into the history that both of our communities share,” said Phillip. “I believe our future will be collective in nature.”

Phillip added that coming challenges to humanity are going to demand that the communities reestablish and rekindle the relationships that they once enjoyed.

“We started our journey together 150 years ago and we’ve allowed our history to come between us,” he said. “It’s clear that we can’t continue the way some notions of development are proceeding.”