By: Aiyana Anderson-MacIsaac
Indigenous-focused outdoor programs are not only about representation but also contribute to global conversations on sustainability, healing, and inclusive access.
The wheels turned the most for me during the Academy’s film night. Four films centered around four different women’s experiences in the outdoors: Iikaiksimatsa’pao’p (Grateful to Be on the Land) with Cassie Ayoungman, founder of Soul of Miistaki, Muga with Ashima Shiraishi, Climbing Through with Julia Niles, and Hello, Beautiful with Alannah Yip. The films highlighted overcoming barriers, acceptance, joy, balance, and relationship-building. During the panel discussion, the question of the impact of intergenerational trauma held by many Indigenous women was raised. How does one succinctly answer this for a group of mostly non-Indigenous people in a way that is meaningful and well-understood? Let’s try breaking it down in the context of outdoor recreational spaces.
Intergenerational trauma in the context of Indigenous peoples is layered and not simply defined. The Department of Justice defines this as the collective and inherited emotional and psychological wounding that affects Indigenous communities due to historical, systemic trauma, such as the impact of colonization, residential schools, and forced assimilation policies. In the outdoor recreational context, we look to the forced displacement of Indigenous peoples from their lands and how this impacts communities’ connections to the places we recreate. This has created a disconnection from nature, yet being on the land is profoundly healing for mental, physical, and cultural well-being.
Some of the ways we encounter these collective effects of intergenerational trauma in the outdoors might be framed by the following questions:
- Belonging
- Do I see other Indigenous people around? If I’m the only Indigenous person in the space, will I be othered? Will my participation be tokenized?
- Will I be understood
- Safety
- Am I feeling safe in this (perhaps unfamiliar) space? What makes a space in the outdoors safe for me and my community?
- Am I spiritually and culturally safe?
- Leadership
- Who is guiding us?
- Guides and leads are often inspirational to those in sport and can inspire folks to pursue sport further. Could I envision myself in that leadership role one day if I continue to dedicate myself to this sport?
- Respect
- Is the land being considered sacred? Is it being taken care of and respected?
- Am I being given space to be authentically me
- Reciprocity
- Is the knowledge or stories I’m sharing with the group being reciprocated? Non-Indigenous groups have so much to learn from me. Is my energy going to the right audience?
There is so much at play and being questioned as we enter into these spaces. This is why inviting one Indigenous person into these spaces isn’t enough. Community in these spaces is essential not only for getting folks out and trying new things, but it’s also imperative to keep Indigenous people sustained participants in the outdoors and thriving in these spaces. Additionally, these spaces must include Indigenous leadership where folks are playing so intimately with the land, as it is required to preserve it.
The above reflections highlight three key levels to consider:
- Healing
- Reconnecting Indigenous people with the land restores physical and mental wellness and resilience. Let’s celebrate more Indigenous Joy!
- Visibility & Resilience
- Indigenous presence reminds the outdoor industry of the ongoing strength, stories, and teachings of these communities.
- Global Sustainability
- Indigenous teachings on respect, reciprocity, and stewardship are essential for protecting natural spaces for all.
Barriers to land access (financial, physical, psychological, geographical) persist, making organizations like Indigenous Women Outdoors, Soul of Miistaki and similar nonprofits vital. These programs reduce barriers, create community, and ensure cultural and physical safety. Community presence provides support, belonging, and the confidence to engage in outdoor activities. This movement is a communal one, and providing access to sport and enabling individuals to excel in sport in culturally safe and accepting ways is a way to change the outdoor industry for the better for all.
Indigenous-focused outdoor programs are not only about representation but also contribute to global conversations on sustainability, healing, and inclusive access. When on the land, naturally, we take the time to have critical discussions about conservation and protection of our immediate environment. We should all embrace looking through an Indigenous lens toward land stewardship and preservation.
I look forward to the continued efforts of Indigenous Women Outdoors to pursue our mission of bringing Indigenous women and non-binary persons together to cultivate strong connections with one another and their environment through movement and shared experiences. This weekend gave promise to the rise of women and marginalized individuals in outdoor spaces, highlighting how this only elevates outdoor spaces and experiences.
Kinanâskomitin,
Aiyana
