in colville-okanagan the language itself is known as "n̓səl̓xcin̓" or "nsyilxcn". speakers of "n̓səl̓xcin̓" occupied the northern portion of the columbia basin from the methow river in the west, to kootenay lake in the east, and north along the columbia river and the arrow lakes. in colville-okanagan, all "nsyilxcn"-speaking bands are grouped under the ethnic label "syilx". colville-okanagan is the heritage language of the lower similkameen indian band, the upper similkameen indian band, the westbank first nation, the osoyoos indian band, the penticton indian band, the okanagan indian band, the upper nicola indian band, and the colville, sanpoil, okanogan, lakes, nespelem, and methow bands of the confederated tribes of the colville reservation.