A Sovereign Land is a multifaceted project that will support and encourage individuals and communities to cultivate alignment and sovereignty "in a good way." This project will include the development of a North Okanagan property and "conscious community," the creation of rites of passage for both youth and adults, as well as the reconciliation of colonial values with those of tribal cultures and people.
Project Leaders
Mark A. LewisCouncil / project leader
(North Okanagan) |
"Six years ago, having trained and worked as a filmmaker and storyteller for twenty years, my life was still very much incomplete. This is when I found a "spiritual path," discovering ceremony and eldership. By opening my heart to these experiences and teachings I now have values and a direction that are aligned with who I am in my heart and with who I have always been. I feel like I have been reintroduced to myself, by way of Spirit and perennial teachings. I can see clearly now that there is a great deal of work to do, and yet at the same time that there is nothing to "do" at all. I have chosen to meet this paradox in the middle and to engage with the world with an open heart, humility and a willingness to suffer, if necessary, for what I value and feel is aligned and important."
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Ross TaylerCouncil / project leader
(Vernon) |
21 years ago I had my first wake up call when I got divorced. When I answered this call to action it put me on a path of healing and spiritual growth that continues to unfold today. In 2006 I signed up for training to be a life coach which was an opportunity to begin to live my purpose. In 2012 I discovered Men’s work and the concept of Men’s initiations. In 2014 I completed my initiation weekend and started a Men’s circle in Squamish which I facilitated for 7 yrs. until I moved to Vernon in 2021. All of my life experiences have supported my growth and learning and when I work with clients individually or in groups I share all the wisdom that I have learned along the way. I am very passionate about helping clients to uncover the patterns that are unconsciously running their lives and bringing awareness to the roots of these patterns that are connected to our past experiences. When we tend to these roots a connection to purpose, clarity and freedom will emerge. I am very happy to be a part of this project that continues to evolve and grow. If you want to learn more about me and my offerings you can visit this page.
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Kristina Marie Jessen
Council / project leader
(North Okanagan) |
Bios are hard, where to start, how deep is too deep? Well, I moved here to the Okanagan in August, 2020. I was born in Vancouver, BC on the (West) Coast Salish territory in 1985, I started my journey reluctantly, exiting the womb battered and bruised, seemingly resistant to face this wild world. I have always been sensitive and curious, and my sense of things as I grew older was that there just seemed to be something missing in the ‘way things were’.
Recognizing this dysfunction in myself and the world around me, and also being a classically trained violinist and passionate singer! I spent most of my years, from about 17 onward, on a seeking path that involved a lot of travel, music, and celebration, but also much contemplation, ceremony, pain, reverence, humility, and generally deepening my relationship to self and the profound consciousness that holds and nurtures us all. Since about 2015, I have realized the immense power of song, and singing together in community. As a community song leader, I feel deep privilege and purpose in sharing this offering. Finding our voices and sharing them with others has profound healing implications both internally and collectively. I also continue to sing sacred music in ceremony, facilitate a children’s music program, and catch and produce songs as they come by. Oh and I quite enjoy making pottery. Many blessings. |