Profile: Where Sun Meets Soul #NorthOkanagan

"There's so much soul in the North Okanagan."

The North Okanagan, known as the Trails Capital of British Columbia, offers a picturesque trail system that connects visitors and residents alike with Mother Nature, providing opportunities for movement, reflection, and a deeper connection with ourselves and each other.

Vibrant events and attractive destinations span across the valley, welcoming visitors from near and far. We’re excited to introduce you to a community of souls who are passionate about the place they call home. They each contribute to a variety of enriching, memorable experiences with a passionate, friendly spirit that is palpable.

Meet Dawna Jodoin, President,
Bush Babes & Bro's Trail Running Club

“Lots of people come here and don’t know the area, so we help them learn the trails and just have a lot of fun.”

Dawna Jodoin and her crew create opportunities that encourage more movement on the trails.

Dawna has been a trail runner/ultra runner since 2003, and a certified trainer and coach since 1996. Her commitment, knowledge, and enthusiasm are contagious. Through a series of races, clinics, guided hikes, online coaching, and more, Dawna and her team provide ample, inclusive opportunities that encourage us to get more active and explore the great outdoors of the region.

Jodoin and crew’s efforts include a trail running race series where anyone can sign up to learn more about the trails in the area. 

“Caring for the land, doing ceremonies, making sure the water is good for all of life, for all of time, are some of my key roles.”

Taylor Marchand (skookamina) is an emerging youth leader, musician, and caretaker of the lands that make up his home in the Sylix Okanagan Nation.

When you consider “The Story of Us,” it comes down to community connections. For Taylor (or skook, as he likes to be called), his connections include the ways his nation shapes his manhood.

His coming of age arrives with specific responsibilities. One of the most important is to be a watchman over his homelands—no small task considering The North Okanagan is home to hundreds of kilometers of trails, dozens of lakes, and an endless array of nature connections.

“My songs connect me to the land by the work I do. It brings the spirits. When I do my songs, I get a lot of joy because I know I’m preserving my culture in my own way, and I get to share that with people.”

Meet TAYLOR MARCHAND, (skookamina), Sylix Okanagan Nation

“The night setting is really conducive to building a highly supportive environment  for artisan creators, and we’re so happy to offer that to our community.”

Building energy-in-community is a gift Mayla Janzen and her team excel at in summertime. Mayla is the director of Vernon’s Polson Artisan Market, a weekly immersive creative experience with live music, theme nights, and other entertainment with the creative talents of 50 to 70 vendors on full display, every Friday night throughout the season.

 

“We’re really happy to be able to support all the unique vendors that we have in the North Okanagan, with an array of market events that help them connect with our visitors and locals alike.”

The market night happens weekly through Sept 13 from 4 to 8pm. You can also find Polson Pop Up Markets in Silver Star on select weekends, including June 29, August 3, July 27 and September 7.

Meet Mayla Janzen Organizer, Vernon’s Polson Artisan Market

The North Okanagan communities extend beyond Vernon and Silver Star.

Communities like Lumby (pictured behind, is home to the Monashee Trail Society), Salmon Arm, Enderby, Armstrong and others are places with their own soul-filled experience that is curated with care by souls who deliver heart-felt smile, memories that last a lifetime, and the glow of the sun to rejuvenate your soul!

Polson Park is also home to September’s Sundog Festival, headed up by Local Losers Underground, under lead festival producer Noah McLeod. 

Silverstar 24 1.jpg | Where Sun Meets Soul #NorthOkanagan - illustrative image
Noah McLeod, Sundog Festival producer

“It’s pretty awesome being able to bring a band on stage, especially when they’re people that you’ve been listening to for a while. One of the things I do a lot is scouting artists, and so I’ll be looking and I’ll find somebody who really clicks and I find super-meaningful.”

Don’t wait till September for his Sundog Festival for your next live music fix, McLeod’s got you covered up at Silver Star this summer with their weekly Saturday summer concert series

The Silver Star music series runs weekly in the Silver Star village through Sept 13, hosted by Destination Silver Star.

Come and experience the #NorthOkanagan

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