Groups Promoting Equity-Deserving Peoples’ Access to Nature & Outdoor Activities/Skills
This list is compiled by Shake Up The Establishment for our Rest, Recovery and Resistance (3RS) program that has been proudly funded by Patagonia Toronto and Arc’teryx. With this resource, we hope to connect folks to groups across what is currently Canada who specialize in promoting access to nature and outdoor skills/adventures/activities for Indigenous, racialized, gender-diverse, neurodiverse, (dis)abled and other equity-deserving communities.
NOTE: We aim to promote groups that specialize in creating safe, culturally appropriate, anti-oppressive and accessible outdoor adventures and engagements with knowledge of their local region. By no means are we able to guarantee the work, safety, staff, purpose or any other operations of any of these groups, nor does their inclusion here imply any endorsement by Shake Up The Establishment. The inclusion of a group on this list does not imply we are partnering with them in any capacity – we are coordinating partnerships independently. We have made this list public in case it is helpful for other folks in our community. If you have any feedback for us, we welcome it at [email protected].
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Name & Location of Group |
Description |
Social Media & Website |
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BIPOC Outdoor Gear Library What is currently Guelph, ON
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To facilitate access to outdoor activities for members of the BIPOC community |
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Colour the Trails What is currently BC & ON
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Advocating for inclusion and diversity in the outdoors for “BIPOC” communities |
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Brown Girl, Outdoor World What is currently Toronto, ON
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To change the narrative (through access, opportunity, adventure, education, and advocacy) of diversity and inclusion in the outdoors |
Facebook:
Instagram:
Twitter:
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Paddle Like a Girl Multiple locations across what is currently ON + Montreal, QC
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Workshops/Guided trips in learning how to canoe/plan canoe trips for womxn so they can treat themselves to the healing powers of nature (specifically the backcountry) and feel confident canoeing on their own |
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ManDem Cycling Club What is currently Toronto, ON
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ManDem Cycling Club is a diverse and inclusive cycling community based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Any bike, any skill level. |
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Sparking Change program (Parks People) What is currently Toronto, ON +
Vancouver, BC |
Connects equity-seeking community groups with training, networks, seed funding and coaching through building community relationships with local parks. |
Sparking Change Toronto – webpage on Parks People website YouTube channel:
Facebook: Twitter: Instagram: |
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Incluskivity Based in what is currently BC |
Instagram community working to extend the outdoors to people who have traditionally been excluded, primarily through interviews. Also offer workshops/programs in person. |
Instagram: |
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Indigenous Women Outdoors Based in what is currently BC
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They help Indigenous women* living on unceded Sḵwx̱ú7mesh, Líl̓wat, səlil̓ilw̓ətaʔɬ and xʷməθkʷəy̓əm territories connect with the land and each other by creating safe opportunities that eliminate barriers to getting into nature |
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BelayALL Based in what is currently BC |
Looking to get rid of inequality in climbing communities and use climbing as a tool in anti-oppression learning. |
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Diversify Outdoors Worldwide |
A coalition of digital influencers, affinity groups, and allies promoting diversity in outdoor recreation and conservation. |
Instagram: Facebook: Twitter: LinkedIn: |
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Project Love Run 5 chapters across what is currently Canada in Edmonton, Vancouver, Montreal, Victoria, & Toronto |
Project Love Run (PLR) is a running collective for all self-identified womxn seeking a safe space to connect with others and their own minds and bodies. |
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Wild about Saskatoon What is currently Saskatoon, SK |
From 2013 to 2019, its NatureCity Festival, with up to 100 events, featured programs for families, individuals and schools that promoted learning from/with the land and from/with Indigenous Elders |
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Ottawa Outdoor Gear Library What is currently Ottawa, ON |
This group runs gear drives; in response to barriers experienced by racialized communities to nature-based experiences, land-based programming, outdoor recreation, and associated health benefits from time outside. |
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Hike Montreal What is currently Montreal, QB |
“Hike MTL hopes to showcase and normalize BIPOC reclaiming outdoor spaces,” Jamillah Jean, Founder Organizes hikes, camping trips, etc. with a range of difficulties and experience levels. |
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Different Strokes Paddle Program What is currently Halifax, NS |
Providing free paddle instruction to BIPOC in Nova Scotia to help diversify the province’s outdoor community |
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Rocky Mountain Adaptive What is currently Canmore, AB |
Rocky Mountain Adaptive (RMA) is a registered charity providing individuals with disabilities the opportunity to participate, learn and excel at mountain sport and recreation. |
Instagram: LinkedIn: Twitter: YouTube: Pinterest: Facebook: |
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Diverse Nature Collective What is currently Peterborough, ON |
Diverse Nature Collective was born out of the idea that diverse and racialized voices NEED to be heard and supported within the environmental sector to successfully move towards meaningful change and protection of our natural assets. |
Twitter: Facebook: Instagram: |
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Let’s Hike T.O. What is currently Toronto, ON |
A hiking community in Toronto open to everyone with a focus on people of colour, newcomers & young adults (20-40). |
Instagram: @letshiketo |
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Multicultural Trail Network What is currently Calgary, AB |
Non-profit serving BIPOC, Immigrant & Refugee youth with outdoor adventures! |
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Women of Colour Remake Wellness What is currently Ottawa, ON |
Cultivating a space for Black, Indigenous and Women of Colour in the health and wellness space through shared dialogue & self-care practices. |
Instagram: @womenofcolourremakewellness |
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Color in Practice What is currently Calgary, AB |
We reduce barriers BIPOC face in accessing the outdoors and wellness activities. |
Instagram: @colorinpractice |
Know of any other relevant groups and initiatives in your community doing this critical work? Please feel free to reach out to: [email protected] and let us know!
Call to action title
Written by the experienced intersectional youth climate justice organizers at Shake Up The Establishment, this book provides a guided experience for climate activists, community organizers and engaged citizens alike to explore and play with our Rest, Recovery and Resistance (3Rs) framework.
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