Youth Summit for Mother Earth 2025, Group photo © Rowan McKenzie
2025 Youth Summit
From September 12-14, 2025, youth leaders from across Ontario gathered at Tawingo Outdoor Centre in Huntsville, on the traditional territories of the Ojibway, the Chippewa, the Algonquin, and the Odawa. The event brought together 42 youth from 32 communities across the province.
Wetlands workshop, Youth Summit for Mother Earth 2025 © Sarah Vanasse
Participants joined in the following workshops and circles:
- The wonderful world of wetlands
- Strategies for youth-led advocacy
- Food choices & biodiversity
- Introduction to birding
- Nature photography
- Navigating eco-anxiety and activism
- Trail hike up Eagle Mountain
- Nature bingo
- The hidden world of herptiles
- Climate action
- Sharing circle with Anishinaabe Elders
Opening ceremony, Youth Summit for Mother Earth 2025 © Sarah Vanasse
Other Highlights
Youth also joined a cultural humility session, led by advisors and mentors from Bkejwanong Territory, waterfront activities in Lake Vernon, and team-building challenges. Elder Christopher Stock from Wáhtahró:non (Wahta Mohawk Territory) led a traditional Haudenosaunee opening, including the Ohén:ton Karihwatéhkwen, the traditional opening address spoken in Mohawk to understand the relationship with nature and the natural world. The opening also included teachings on treaties, wampum belts, dances, and stories of Mohawk peoples. To end our Youth Summit in a good way, Elder Christopher was joined by Anishinaabe Elders to close the gathering with a circle and travelling song.
Chaperones, Partners and Elders, Youth Summit for Mother Earth 2025
Thank you to our Nature Network members and other organizations.
Your support and sponsorship made the 2025 Youth Summit possible.
- Bancroft Field Naturalists
- Carden Field Naturalists
- Friends of Nancy Island and Wasaga Beach Park
- Friends of Salmon River
- Ingersoll District Nature Club
- Julia Coey Memorial Foundation
- Long Point Biosphere Region
- Maplexellence Inc.
- Midland Penetanguishene Field Naturalists
- Nature Guelph
- Nature League of Collingwood
- Nith Valley EcoBoosters
- Norfolk Field Naturalists
- Orillia Field Naturalists
- Owen Sound Field Naturalists
- Prince Edward County Field Naturalists
- Quinte Field Naturalists
- Royal Canadian Legion – Branch 77
- Sagamok Anishnawbek Post Majority Support Services
- Saugeen Nature
- South Peel Naturalists Club
- Thunder Bay Field Naturalists
- Toronto Field Naturalists
- Waterloo Region Nature
- Willow Beach Field Naturalists
- York Simcoe Nature Club
Thank you to our corporate and program sponsors
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 Ontario Nature or spoken by Indigenous partners.
Since the 2010 Youth Summit, we have engaged 976 young people from 263 communities across Ontario!
