Representation in Outdoor Leadership: Why It Matters
The Connection Between Representation and Belonging
When youth step into outdoor spaces, they don’t just enter forests, mountains, or rivers; they participate in a narrative about who belongs there. For generations, that narrative has excluded the voices of Black, Indigenous, and People of Colour (BIPOC). Outdoor leadership positions in Canada and globally have been disproportionately filled by non-racialized individuals. This absence of diverse leadership sends an unspoken but powerful signal: the outdoors is not meant for everyone.
Representation shapes belonging. When young people see leaders who share their cultural background, they are more likely to feel safe, included, and inspired to participate. Research published in the Journal of Outdoor Recreation, Education, and Leadership highlights that racialized youth are significantly more engaged when outdoor programs include leaders who reflect their identities. This sense of belonging is essential for building trust and fostering confidence.
The Historical Exclusion of BIPOC Communities from Outdoor Spaces
Outdoor spaces have often been viewed as neutral, but history reveals otherwise. In Canada, systemic barriers, including racial discrimination, economic inequality, and colonial land policies, have historically excluded Indigenous and racialized groups from equitable access to parks and recreation. A 2020 report from Parks Canada acknowledged that many BIPOC communities have not felt represented in national park outreach, design, or programming.
Similarly, U.S. based studies, such as those from the Sierra Club and Outdoor Foundation, emphasize that participation in outdoor activities like camping, hiking, and rock climbing remains disproportionately white. When BIPOC youth rarely see themselves represented in outdoor marketing, program leadership, or decision-making, participation declines further.
Why Outdoor Leadership Representation Matters for Youth Development
Outdoor leadership is about far more than guiding a hike or teaching survival skills. It is about creating meaningful connections, fostering mentorship, and shaping cultural narratives of belonging. For BIPOC youth, seeing leaders who look like them has three key benefits:
Building Confidence – Representation tells youth that they belong and that their voices matter. A leader who shares their experiences affirms that leadership roles are attainable.
Strengthening Community Ties – Diverse leadership fosters culturally safe spaces where young people can bring their full selves without fear of judgment or exclusion.
Expanding Career Pathways – Outdoor and environmental leadership roles connect to careers in conservation, education, and environmental justice. Representation opens pathways that might otherwise remain invisible to marginalized youth.
Breaking Down Barriers in Outdoor Spaces
Barriers for BIPOC youth are both visible and invisible. Financial limitations, lack of access to outdoor gear, and geographic isolation are significant challenges. But just as important are cultural and systemic barriers: feeling unsafe in predominantly white outdoor groups, facing subtle or overt racism, or experiencing microaggressions while engaging with nature.
A 2019 Canadian Parks Council survey found that many racialized participants hesitated to join outdoor programs because they feared exclusion or discrimination. Without intentional diversity in leadership, these fears often go unaddressed. Representation becomes the bridge that dismantles these barriers by creating safer, more inclusive spaces.
The Role of Inclusive Programs Like MTN
The Multicultural Trail Network (MTN), based in Mohkinstsis (Calgary), is a nonprofit dedicated to empowering BIPOC youth through outdoor leadership. Our programs are intentionally designed and led by BIPOC adults who understand the lived experiences of youth navigating both racial and cultural discrimination.
Through activities like hiking, camping, rock climbing, snowshoeing, and ice skating, youth gain access to more than outdoor skills; in fact, they gain access to a space where they are seen, valued, and encouraged to lead. Representation in leadership ensures that these programs do not replicate exclusion but instead build community resilience and equity.
Representation as a Path to Systemic Change
Representation in outdoor leadership is not symbolic, but rather it is structural. It challenges stereotypes about who belongs in nature, reshapes narratives in conservation, and builds equity into recreational and environmental systems. Around the world, initiatives like Outdoor Afro in the U.S. and Colour the Trails in Canada demonstrate how diverse leadership transforms participation, advocacy, and environmental stewardship.
By creating space for BIPOC leaders, programs like MTN are cultivating the next generation of changemakers who will not only explore the outdoors but also protect it for future generations.
Conclusion: Building an Outdoors for Everyone
Representation matters because it turns exclusion into empowerment. When BIPOC youth see themselves reflected in outdoor leadership, they gain confidence, access opportunity, and redefine what belonging in nature looks like. Leadership in the outdoors must reflect the richness and diversity of our communities if we are to create equitable, inclusive spaces for all.
The Multicultural Trail Network is proud to be at the forefront of this change in Mohkinstsis/Calgary and beyond. Join us a participant, volunteer or donor, and assist us in breaking barriers, amplifying voices, and proving that the outdoors truly belongs to everyone.