Originally known to the First Nations of the Okanagan Valley as Khiluk, which was- and remains today revered as a sacred site producing therapeutic waters. During World War I the minerals of Spotted Lake were used in manufacturing ammunition. Later the area came under the control of the Ernest Smith Family, for a term of about 40 years. In 1979 Smith attempted to create interest in a spa at the lake. The First Nations responded with an effort to buy the lake; in October 2001 they finally struck a deal. First Nations arranged the purchase of 22 hectares of land for a total of $720,000, and contributed about 20% of the cost. The Indian Affairs Department paid the remainder.

Tim Klingender, Director of Aboriginal Art at Sotheby's hangs the painting “Emu Corroboree Man” by Clifford Possum Tjapaltjarri before a record auction of Aboriginal Art July 14, 2005 in Sydney, Australia. The painting is expected to fetch AUD 150,000 – 250,000 (USD 120,000 – 200,000). Sotheby's unveiled a selection of Aboriginal art and artifacts after a tour of New York and London, which will go to auction in Melbourne July 25 2005. The total pre-sales estimate of the collection is AUD 6 million – 8.5 million (USD 5 million – 7 million). (Photo by Ian Waldie/Getty Images)

Israeli magician Hezi Dean stands atop of a tower where he intends to remain for 35 hours, at Rabin square on May 18, 2011 in Tel Aviv, Israel. Dean started his most recent stunt Wednesday in an attempt to break the record of American illusionist and endurance artist David Blaine. Dean was raised on the 27-meters high tower Wednesday morning and aims to remain there with no food until Thursday evening, for a total of 35-hours. (Photo by Uriel Sinai/Getty images)

One of the nine baby flamingos born at Bristol Zoo stands with the adults as they feed together on August 19, 2011 in Bristol, England. Nine flamingo chicks have hatched at Bristol Zoo Gardens in the last three months – the biggest number the Zoo has ever had. The chicks, which are Greater Flamingoes from Africa and southern Europe and range in age from four weeks to three months old, take the Zoo's total flock to 38 birds. (Photo by Matt Cardy/Getty Images)

A man paddles a makeshift boat along a flooded street in Guasdualito, in the state of Apure, Venezuela, July 4, 2015. A total of 9,000 families have been affected by the overflowing of rivers Arauca and Sarare in Guasdualito, Apure state, because of the heavy rains in recent days in this area of the country, local media reported. (Photo by Carlos Eduardo Ramirez/Reuters)

Performers dressed as Pikachu, a character from Pokemon series game titles, march during the Pikachu Outbreak event hosted by The Pokemon Co. on August 9, 2017 in Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan. A total of 1, 500 Pikachus appear at the city's landmarks in the Minato Mirai area aiming to attract visitors and tourists to the city. The event will be held through until August 15. (Photo by Tomohiro Ohsumi/Getty Images)

Performers dressed as Pikachu, a character from Pokemon series game titles, march during the Pikachu Outbreak event hosted by The Pokemon Co. on August 10, 2018 in Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan. A total of 1, 500 Pikachus appear at the city's landmarks in the Minato Mirai area aiming to attract visitors and tourists to the city. The event will be held through until August 16. (Photo by Tomohiro Ohsumi/Getty Images)

Elephant polo players in action during the King's Cup Elephant Polo event 2016 final between teams King Power (blue) and The Elephant Story, in Bangkok, Thailand, March 13, 2016. Team King Power won the annual charity event, which is now in its 14th edition. This year's edition involved 18 elephants brought from tourist trekking camps in Pattaya as well as some unemployed in Surin, and a total of 10 teams encompassing over 40 players, in this event directed at raising funds to improve the lives of elephants and elephant conservation. (Photo by Diego Azubel/EPA)