Youth Summit

2022 Youth Summit for Mother Earth

From September 24-25, 2022 environmental leaders from across the province gathered in a hybrid version of our Youth Summit. While many attendees participated in the event online, in-person hubs were also held in Peterborough (Nogojiwanong), Walpole Island (Bkejwanong), Thunder Bay and Toronto.

In partnership with the Youth Council, the Youth Circle for Mother Earth partners and Coordinating Circle, this re-imagined gathering brought 36 young leaders and 4 youth mentors together through livestreaming and hubs. These youth represented communities across Ontario from as far as Windsor, Ottawa and Thunder Bay, with youth identifying from Indigenous communities and diverse cultures around the world.

Nogojiwanong Hub with Matt Levac, Youth Summit for Mother Earth 2022 © Maggie Cummings

Sessions

Cultural humility
Environmental visual art and storytelling
Beauty of birding
Orchid origami
Digital communications and online advocacy
Climate action and making your voice heard
Two-eyed seeing and Ethical Space
Medicine Wheel and 7 Sacred Teachings
Clans and responsibilities

Youth Summit for Mother Earth 2022, Orchid-gami © Ontario Nature

Other Highlights From 2022

Youth who joined hubs on Sunday participated in activities such as:

Creating a feast bundle and learning the history behind them in Bkejwanong
Land-based activities and plant teachings in Nogojiwanong
Conservation science through birding in Thunder Bay
Birding and creating drama and writing inspired by the environment in Toronto
Photo scavenger hunt and land invitation to reflect on connections to Mother Earth for virtual participants

Youth also participated in virtual discussions and youth-led sessions on networking, sustainability, story telling and a photo scavenger hunt.

This year’s keynote was Elder Shirley Williams (Migizi ow Kwe), member of the Bird Clan of the Ojibway and Odawa First Nations. She spoke of language, important elements in Anishinaabemowin: land (ki), air (nesewin), fire (mskkode) and water (nibi) and how youth can learn more and be better allies.

Youth Summit for Mother Earth 2022, High Park Hub, Bird Hike © Ontario Nature

“I gained a symbolic ring representing the four directions/the four stages of life, and I gained experience with the area, the history, and the culture of Indigenous Peoples. I also really loved the orchid-gami making. It was fun to fold, helped me practice my origami skills and patience, and the end result is super fun to look at. I also loved connecting with [event partners], and all the other wonderful people who helped me learn over the summit.”
– 2022 Youth Summit participant residing on the territory of the Anishinaabe, Haudenosaunee and Attawanderonk peoples in what is currently known as Eden

“I really enjoyed the summit and am so grateful to have participated. I learned so much about Indigenous teachings and connections to the land and Mother Earth. I am excited to bring all the knowledge and resources from the summit to my school community and green team. It will allow us to work on new projects and give me an opportunity of being a leader in my green team.”
– 2022 Youth Summit participant residing on the traditional lands of the Fort William First Nation, signatory to the Robinson Superior Treaty of 1850, in what is currently known as Thunder Bay

Wolf Lake © Ryan Mariotti

Thank you to our Nature Network members and other organizations .

Their support made the 2022 summit successful.

Bancroft Field Naturalists
Bert Miller Nature Club
Carden Field Naturalists
Charleston Lake Association
Credit Valley Conservation
Durham Region Field Naturalists
Eden Mills Eramosa River Conservation
Friends of Mashkinonje
Friends of Minesing Wetlands
Friends of Ojibway Prairie
Four Seasons Conservancy
Friends of Salmon River
Halton-North Peel Naturalists
Huron Fringe Field Naturalists
Ingersoll District Nature Club
Kawartha Field Naturalists
Leeds and Grenville Stewardship Council

Mississippi Valley Field Naturalists
Nature Barrie
Nature London
Nith Valley EcoBoosters
North American Native Plant Society
North Durham Nature Club
Otter Valley Naturalists
Peterborough Field Naturalists
Quinte Field Naturalists
South Peel Naturalists Club
Thunder Bay Field Naturalists
Thickson’s Woods Land Trust
Vankleek Hill and District Nature Society
Waterloo Region Nature
Willow Beach Field Naturalists
York Simcoe Nature Club

This project has been made possible by:

Ontario Nature members

Photo Gallery

Miigwetch – miigwech – nya:wen – hiy hiy – yaw^ko – nakurmiik – merci – thank you!*

*The above translations may differ from other Ojibwe, Kanien’kéha, Cree, Oneida and Inuktitut dialects, and reflect the languages shared with and spoken by members in the Youth Circle for Mother Earth’s Coordinating Circle and project partners.

Over the past 12 Youth Summits, we have engaged 231 communities across Ontario.