Clients looking for an experiential getaway should know about Spirit Ridge Resort in Osoyoos, British Columbia—Canada’s only desert region and a place sacred to the Osoyoos Indian Band. Surrounded by vineyards on the slopes of Lake Osoyoos, Spirit Ridge Resort welcomes guests year-round at a unique intersection of immersive Indigenous culture, luxury all-suite accommodation, and world-class wine at Nk'Mip Cellars, North America's first Indigenous-owned and operated winery.
Indigenous culture is thoughtfully woven into every aspect of the Spirit Ridge experience. Adobe-style architecture echoes the desert landscape of the Osoyoos Indian Band, while Indigenous organic coffee, botanical body care products inspired by Indigenous teachings, and curated cultural elements add authentic touches to each suite. Throughout the property, art, design, culinary offerings, and direct access to Nk’Mip Cellars and Desert Cultural Centre invite visitors to connect with the rich history and traditions of the Osoyoos Indian Band.
Indigenous culture is woven in throughout the resort at Spirit Ridge. (Photo Credit: Spirit Ridge)
Discover Indigenous Language & Art
One of the first things most people notice is the bilingual signage throughout the property, introducing many readers to a new language. Signs pair nsyilxcən—the traditional language of the Osoyoos Band and the other communities of the Syilx Okanagan Nation—with English translations, sharing Indigenous descriptions of the desert landscape, native plants, and sacred places.
Language is just one way your clients can experience Indigenous culture at Spirit Ridge Resort. Throughout the property, engaging earth-toned metal sculptures by renowned Indigenous artist Virgil "Smoker" Marchand punctuate the landscape, sharing the stories and values of the Osoyoos Indian Band.
The Chief at entrance to Nk'Mip Cultural Centre and Spirit Ridge (Photo Credit: Spirit Ridge)
Explore The Nk'Mip Desert Cultural Centre
One of Smoker's towering sculptures, The Chief, welcomes visitors to the award-winning, wheelchair-accessible Nk’mip Desert Cultural Centre, located a short stroll from the resort lobby. Here, through stories, photos and original artwork, your clients can learn about the impact of the government’s residential school program, the legacy of the Inkameep Day School, and the long-standing importance of horse culture and rodeo to the Osoyoos Indian Band. Guests can then step inside the immersive multi-sensory theatre to experience the sights and sounds of the land and local oral stories before venturing outside to explore the traditional territory of the Osoyoos People.
Around 2 km of interpretive trails (including 1 km of wheelchair-accessible crushed-gravel pathway) wind through the natural desert landscape, passing towering Black Cottonwood trees whose trunks were traditionally used to make canoes and whose cottony seed fluff was used for pillows and moccasins. A reconstructed traditional outdoor village, brought to life through artistic silhouettes, demonstrates how the Osoyoos Indian Band historically lived and used the desert landscape. Your clients can explore traditional structures such as a tipi, typically used as a summer shelter, and a subterranean pit house, used during cooler weather.
Enjoy Indigenous-Inspired Cuisine & Award-Winning Wine
The Bear, The Fish, The Root & The Berry
Bannock & Spreads from The Bear, The Fish, The Root & The Berry (Photo Credit: Spirit Ridge Resort)
The resort’s signature restaurant, The Bear, The Fish, The Root & The Berry, is inspired by a chaptik—a nsyilxcən word meaning “story”—about the legendary Four Food Chiefs, who represent the key elements of Indigenous cuisine and all of the food that lives within their particular part of the earth. The restaurant showcases locally sourced ingredients, with the menu thoughtfully organized according to each Food Chief’s domain. For example, the bear (skimxist or black bear) represents land animals (primarily local game meats), and the fish (ntytikxw or Chinook salmon) depicts water creatures (seafood). Recommend that your clients begin their meal with the delicious Bannock & Spreads, and be sure to include the Three Sister Salad, made with corn, beans and squash, a staple of Indigenous cuisine.
Nk'Mip Cellars
NkMip Cellars (Photo Credit: NkMip Cellars)
Nk-Mip Cellars, the first Indigenous-owned and operated winery in North America and on-site wine shop featuring Nk’Mip Cellars products, local Indigenous merchandise and wine-friendly food products like delicious local cheese, is steps from the resort lobby. Here, your clients can shop, join tours, and participate in wine-and-cheese tasting events designed to showcase award-winning wines and share the Osoyoos Indian Band's history and culture. Your clients may wish to reserve the entertaining Blind Cheese & Wine Experience to test their ability to identify Nk’Mip wines paired with British Columbia cheeses.
More About Spirit Ridge Resort
Spirit Ridge Resort guest suite (Photo Credit: Spirit Ridge Resort)
In addition to experiencing immersive Indigenous culture at Spirit Ridge Resort, a member of The Unbound Collection by Hyatt, your clients can play golf at Sonora Dunes, the on-site 9-hole par 35 desert-style course between February and November, spend time at the nearby private beach or relax poolside in season, and enjoy spa treatments while at the property.
Spirit Ridge Resort offers fully equipped 1-, 2-, & 3-bedroom suites, with accessible and pet-friendly accommodation, in the town of Osoyoos, located in the scenic South Okanagan region of British Columbia.
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