Indigenous Youth Outdoors

Rooted in the heart of the Upper Skagit Watershed, our Indigenous Youth Outdoors program is a dedicated space for reclaiming connections to ancestral lands. While Indigenous engagement is woven into the fabric of everything we do, this specialized program area funded by the Skagit Environmental Endowment Commission focuses on helping to facilitate Indigenous Knowledge Keepers to lead the next generation in and about their traditional territories.

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Through land-based learning and ancestral teachings, we help create a journey of discovery that transcends typical outdoor recreation. This is about identity, stewardship, and the enduring spirit of the Upper Skagit.

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Program Highlights

Our programming is guided by the seasons and the wisdom of local Elders, offering youth hands-on experience in activities like:

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• Traditional Plant Walks: Identifying, harvesting, and understanding the medicinal and nutritional properties of local flora.

• Outdoor Survival Skills: Blending modern safety with traditional navigation and land-literacy.

• Oral Histories: Learning the deep history of the watershed through storytelling passed down through generations.

• Cultural Artistry: Immersive workshops in cedar weaving, drum making, and other artistic expressions of heritage.

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Why the Upper Skagit?

The Upper Skagit Watershed isn't just a location; it is a relative. By bringing youth into these specific landscapes, we support the vital work of cultural continuity, ensuring that the stories and skills tied to these waters and mountains remain vibrant and lived.

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"We don't just walk on the land; we listen to it.

This program is about giving our youth the tools to hear

what the Upper Skagit has been saying for millennia."

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