January’s Awesome Ottawa award goes to Lukeisha Andrews to support the Black in Nature Forest School.

“Our programming,” says Lukeisha, “supports Black children getting outside year-round, in all weather! We believe that Black children and youth deserve to feel a deep sense of belonging outdoors, and aim to provide an inclusive, accessible, safe, and brave space where all Black children can connect with nature. As a not-for-profit organization, most of our participants attend programming at no cost.”

“Not only is Black In Nature a community space for children and youth,” she continues, “we are a landing place for parents and other Black community members. At many of our programs, Black community members and newcomers experience outdoor activities in Canada for the first time through participation and volunteering.”

“This past year,” says Lukeisha, “we have hosted a diverse set of annual programs, consistently engaging over 30 families. Winter outdoor activities consisted of snowshoeing and cross country skiing. At our annual March Break Camp, we explored animal tracking, tapped maple trees, and cooked meals together. At our Summer Overnight Camp, we learned how to set up tents and cook outdoors, we shared stories by the fire, participated in water safety and canoeing sessions, and bonded deeply as a community. At our Summer Day Camp, we explored forest ecology, plants, and insects, created art with natural minerals, created music together in the rain, and practiced mindfulness and grounding routines on the Land.”

The Awesome Ottawa award will be used to reserve Macskimming Outdoor Education Centre for Black in Nature’s March Break Day Camp. “Here,” says Lukeisha, “we will host up to 15 Black families. We will explore the Land together through snowshoe hikes, ecological exploration, storytelling, song, and play.”

Besides being the founder of Black in Nature, Lukeisha is a facilitator with Child and Nature Alliance Canada. She describes herself as “a life long (un)learner, a peaceful disrupter, and passionate about creating brave spaces for all children to be fully immersed in nature and on the Land.”