Championing Change: Recapping the 15th Annual Youth Summit for Mother Earth

Closing Ceremony with Elder Christopher Stock - Youth Summit for Mother Earth - Ontario Nature - 2024 - copyright Rowan McKenzie

From September 13 – 15, the 15th annual Youth Summit for Mother Earth was held at Tawingo Outdoor Centre on the traditional territories of the Ojibway, the Chippewa, the Algonquin, and the Odawa, also known as Muskoka. Each year, youth from across the province come together for a weekend-long, cross-cultural gathering to learn from peers, mentors, Elders, and specialists about topics ranging from cultural humility to wetland advocacy. The Youth Summit continues to be the highlight of the year for dozens of youths from across the province as part of our Nature Guardians Youth Program.
 
This year, the Summit brought together 64 youth from 42 communities. What continues to make the Youth Summit a success each year is the passion, enthusiasm, and keenness of the youth to learn and connect with peers. Without their commitment to learning and advocating for Mother Earth the Youth Summit would not be possible.
 
Our partners Plenty Canada, the Indigenous Environmental Institute at Trent University, and Walpole Island Land Trust have been fundamental in braiding Indigenous Ways of Knowing into this gathering for the past few years. The Summit is the culmination of the year-long planning by program staff, partners, Ontario Nature Youth Council, and the Youth Circle for Mother Earth’s Coordinating Circle members, who help to plan and lead workshops and activities each year.
 
This year, the Summit offered a variety of workshops, discussions and sharing circles. Some of the workshop topics included nature photography, introduction to birding and the Two-Eyed Seeing Bird Knowledge Project, traditional beading, and navigating eco-Anxiety. Participants also had the chance to explore the trails, go swimming and canoeing in Lake Vernon, complete team challenges, and participate in opening and closing ceremonies.
 
A highlight of this year’s Summit was the Opening Ceremony on Friday evening, setting up the intentions for the weekend through The Thanksgiving Address. Elder Christopher Stock, a fifth-generation member of Wáhta Mohawks, led a powerful ceremony and welcomed youth to join in on traditional dances, games and songs. The knowledge and experiences shared by Elder Christopher as well as Knowledge Keepers and community members from Anishinaabe territories through ceremony, morning smudge, sharing circles and cultural humility learning sessions has fostered a deeper connection with Mother Earth and increased understanding of Indigenous cultures and traditions.
 
Reflections from Participants
 
“It will always be an amazing experience I will remember forever. [The Summit] has encouraged me to take more action to protect the environment and spread more awareness.” – Sarah, Orillia
 
“I gained a wonderful reminder and understanding that we should be grateful for our Earth’s sustenance and mindful of how we utilize our environment. Cultural humility is a very important life skill and is something we should continue to build upon; I learned about valuable Indigenous teaching that remind us of our place on this Earth and this deep acknowledgment that we must treat out environment with utmost respect.” – Saara, Scarborough
 
The 2024 Youth Summit was a powerful reminder of our collective responsibility to care for Mother Earth. The knowledge shared by leaders, mentors, Elders, Knowledge Keepers, and youth peers empowered youth across the province to take action in their community and continue to foster a relationship with nature. For a visual recap of this year’s Summit, check out the 2024 Youth Summit Zine designed by Youth Council Member and Summer Youth Program Intern, Rushelle.
 
You can also visit the Youth Summit for Mother Earth page for more event information, photos, and testimonials. If you are a high school student passionate about nature, join the Ontario Nature Youth Council to connect with youth leaders across Ontario and inspire positive change in your community! By being part of the Youth Council, you will help to bring the annual Youth Summit for Mother Earth to life. Applications will open in late Fall 2024.
 
This project was undertaken with financial support from Transport Canada’s Commemoration Fund for the Victims of the Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302 Tragedy, RBC Foundation, Ontario Power Generation, Enbridge Gas, The McLean Foundation, TD Friends of the Environment Foundation, Community Foundation of Greater Peterborough, Algonquin Outfitters, 4imprint and the 44 organizations, companies and generous Ontario Nature members that sponsored youth participation. 

— Emily Green, Education Coordinator at Ontario Nature ​​