The William R. Bennett Bridge, Kelowna
Tske-tem-stu-weekh-tin “The swim across to each other place”
This is an important heritage site of the Okanagan (Syilx) people who have used this area as a village and lake crossing for thousands of years. During low water, a natural peninsula extended from this point to within several hundred feet of the Kelowna shoreline, providing a vital link between Syilx communities on both sides of the lake.
The Westbank First Nation’s reserve, Tsinstikeptum, overlooks the western approach to the William R. Bennett Bridge. Siwash Point, the narrowest part of Okanagan Lake is there and once was the site of a First Nations village, Stekatkolxne’ut, meaning 'lake at the side'. The word 'siwash' is a Chinook jargon term for First Nations people and was derived from the French word sauvage. Siwash point was a popular place for crossing the lake by canoe or, for the able swimmers, by swimming. They called the location tske-tem-stu-weekh-tin which means 'the swim across to each other place'.
The William R. Bennett Bridge was begun in 2005 and completed in 2008. It is named after Bill Bennett, the 27th premier of B.C. (1975-1986). He and his father, W.A.C. Bennett, who was premier 1952-1972, both represented Kelowna as Members of the Legislative Assembly.
The new bridge replaces the Okanagan Lake Bridge (also known as the Kelowna Floating Bridge) which was was a three-lane, 2,100 foot/650 metre-long floating bridge. Completed in 1958, the bridge was the first of its kind in Canada. The floating bridge was offered for sale, but no buyers came forward, so it is being dismantled and portions may be sunk to the bottom of Okanagan Lake.
The Stop of Interest sign commemorating the new bridge was erected in 2008 as part of a BC150 initiative by the Ministry of Transportation.
Resources:
Official William R. Bennett Bridge website
» www.th.gov.bc.ca/WilliamRBennettBridge/index.htm
Okanagan Nation Alliance (Syilx) website:
» www.syilx.org/
