In the Okanagan desert, snakes offer lessons on protecting a fragile ecosystem

With their numbers continuing to dwindle by the turn of the 21st century, the original creators of the cultural centre decided to choose a different approach.

“Instead of removing them and destroying their home, killing them and having fear of them, it was, ‘How about we start researching them? Figuring out how we can help them and support them?’” Bower said.

“It’s just nice to know that even way back in 2002, there was still that love and care for snakes.”

The resulting program has spent more than two decades studying the snakes and helping restore their place in public understanding. The centre was built within a living cultural landscape, she added, and its role was never limited to interpreting the past.