Jane Stelkia, the oldest living member of the Osoyoos Indian Band, celebrated her 95th birthday with a horseback ride at Indian Grove Riding Stables in Osoyoos. More than two dozen riders joined her, including Chief Clarence Louie and his family. Stelkia has been riding horses since she was a little girl and wanted to celebrate her birthday doing what she loves most.

Stelkia’s family presented her with Wampum beads made by her grandmother over a century ago, which hold deep spiritual meaning. Stelkia hopes to follow in her grandmother’s footsteps and celebrate many more birthdays in the saddle. She emphasized the importance of horseback riding in her culture and gave a speech about the significance of horses in Indian culture.

Stelkia’s family and community came together to celebrate her birthday, with her eldest son expressing pride in seeing his mother still riding at 95. Stelkia’s granddaughter described her as an inspiration and highlighted her active lifestyle, including mending fences and staying physically active. Chief Clarence Louie praised Stelkia for her wisdom and work ethic, emphasizing the importance of staying active for longevity.