The mission of the Okanagan Institute is to contribute to the quality of creative engagement in the Okanagan through publications, events and collaborations.
There is a story emerging in our world that is not being told. It is the story of the relocalization process that is being precipitated both by necessity and by possibility. This transition represents the end of an era of economic and population growth stimulated by an abundant supply of cheap fossil fuels. It also represents the beginning of a change towards a more balanced and thoughtful approach to the business of life, and the life of business.
128 pages,8x11 inches, paperback
ISBN 978-0-9868663-6-4
Price: $8 plus $8 shipping.
Together we face a convergence of interrelated global challenges that are forcing us to find better ways of doing things and making our communities work. We are changing our attitudes toward - and relationship with - energy, climate, food, economics, health, waste, and the environment. At the same time, we are establishing new norms for how we communicate, work, live our lives, and ensure that the goods and services we need are sustainably produced and available from reliable local sources where possible.
Next Okanagan is your local information source, documenting and interpreting the events and trends in the Okanagan, covering the story of our collective response to the extraordinary challenges and opportunities we face, and the story of the emergence of a smart and progressive culture of local resilience.
Our emphasis is first to provide information and perspective on the primary challenges of the world and our region, and the second is to spotlight inspiring and visionary signs of people rising to the occasion - whether as individuals, neighborhoods, communities, institutions, companies or organizations. Currently there is no Okanagan publication that gives ample coverage to issues of relocalization, food quality and security, healthy and sustainable business practices, and social responsibility and social justice, or efforts to deal locally with the challenges and opportunities of change, developing food, energy and economic alternatives, and building community.
No region has as much potential for developing a self-reliant economy than the Okanagan. We are also ideally located to explore and create a cultural identity that is true to place. Equally important, our history of self-reliance is bringing new confidence and credibility to the producers who are doing their best to provide food that is good, clean, and ethical. This financial and psychological boost is needed by artisan food producers and farmers struggling for survival, and is helping to reassert a regional identity and create a new sense of commurity.
Next Okanagan is a bookazine for people who want to be told different stories than the ones they hear every day. We intend to scout the Okanagan for stories which inspire us, excite us, or just slow us down. Stories about people worth knowing, and ideas that need spreading. We bring you these stories in the form of long-form in-depth analysis as well of short bursts of practical information you can act on.
In this first issue we shine our editorial light on the many facets of our local community, and the groups and initiatives that are struggling to achieve a more balanced and resilient approach to the many challenges we all face. We intend to reach further, with each issue, into the community in search of stories, works and inspiration. In addition to spotlighting some of the artists, craftspeople, farmers and producers who practice here, we investigate some of the innovative ways that ideas are shared and taught, and profile the influence of creative pursuits.
The Okanagan Media Alliance is dedicated to bringing together those working to create a resilient society. We also produce guides to the good things in life: organic agriculture, sustainability, conscious consumerism, fair commerce, the creative arts - anything that helps you live a good life that also happens to be good for others, and good for our planet. The Okanagan Media Alliance is an independent initiative in association with the Okanagan Network for the Environment and the Okanagan Institute.
Here is a sample of the pages:
Next Okanagan is available in the following retail locations:
OSOYOOS
First Choice Health Foods OKANAGAN FALLS
IGA KALEDEN
Kaleden Restaurant PENTICTON
Hooked on Books
Whole Foods Market
Tumbleweed Gallery
Grooveyard
Okanagan College Bookstore KELOWNA
Mosaic Books
Town Centre Postal Services
Okanagan Text Book Exchange
Earth Whimsy
Kelowna Health Centre
D & D Books
Green Cannopy
Okanagan College Bookstore
VERNON
Bookland
Bean Scene Coffee House
Boutique Canadiana
Okanagan College Bookstore ARMSTRONG
The Village Cheese Company
Askew's Foods
Shamrock Books & Beyond ENDERBY
The Gypsy Bazaar SALMON ARM
Hidden Gems Bookstore
Nutter's Bulk & Natural Foods
Bookingham Palace Bookstore
Pharmasave With more to come.
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