How frequently do you encounter a space where you’re actively invited and challenged to envision the future you desire?
The Rooted and Rising Lab is a program that intends to create a space for intergenerational community networks to do just that. It’s a hub where students from diverse backgrounds, spanning artists to activists, converge to radically reimagine climate education and the trajectory of our world.
The genesis of this initiative can be traced back to the Conscious Minds Camp & Co-op, a youth-led summer camp in the Greater Toronto Area* co-founded by Kristen and Roxy. Here, youth are encouraged to explore themes like decolonization, climate change, holistic living, and human rights.
In response to a surge of young climate leaders yearning for supportive learning spaces, Roxy redirected her focus in 2019 towards creating the Rooted and Rising Lab. Teaming up with Bella and Kristen, alongside eight other dedicated individuals, they embarked on designing a program rooted in both academic and non-academic education, with community and relationship-building at its core. By embracing diverse perspectives and experts in climate justice work, they crafted an intergenerational learning space led by participants.
They decided they would provide youth with guidance from educators and elders, creating an intergenerational learning space. However, the space would be led by the participants to ask questions and discuss solutions with their peers facing similar challenges and dilemmas in their journey to leading climate solutions.
The pilot program, launched in Fall 2020, brought together 22 participants aged 13-30 over 10 weeks of virtual sessions. Through introspective learning and practical project-based approaches, participants delved into topics like leadership, solidarity, and decolonized learning, culminating in the creation of seven impactful projects funded with the help of The Youth Harbour Action Grant.
The Youth Harbour grant additionally supported Rooted and Rising’s honorariums for teachers and other activity costs during the program, such as the Toronto city tour to teach about regenerative agriculture.
However, sustaining the program poses challenges, particularly in securing consistent funding and carving out sufficient time for in-depth exploration.
Bella, who helps facilitate and coordinate the program, noted that “they need more time to explore and dig deeper; to have longer dialogue on certain topics.” They’re discussing how to make this possible, whether it be through more intensive programs or more sessions. They also want to have more land projects.
Participant feedback echoes the sentiment of the Lab being a safe haven for self-reflection and growth, with many expressing newfound understanding of their leadership roles and ancestral connections. Kristen notes the emergence of wisdom and expertise within the cohort, underscoring the program’s ability to cultivate a supportive community.
“Participants had the space to return to being the full version of themselves; that they felt welcomed to arrive that way,” Kristen shared. Roxy expressed that, as an organizer of the program, “it was lovely to see how supportive people were with each other during the program.”
It was also pointed out that this year’s cohort were really invested in their projects, some of them creating projects coming from relationality to others within and outside the project. For example, one student’s project connected her work with an organization for reproductive healthcare for trans and gender non-conforming folks. “This affirms the idea of complementing what youth are already doing with the knowledge and guidance provided through Rooted and Rising,” said Bella.
The program intends to plant the seed, then let it grow freely. “Setting up participants with the networks and knowledge to do new things that can’t be anticipated from the Rooted and Rising program. The level of connection and self discovery indicated to me that there were some important seeds planted for future endeavors in climate and social justice pursuits,” Bella shared.
Looking ahead, the Lab envisions expanding its reach through initiatives like a DIY course and a teacher training program, while also exploring avenues to stay connected with alumni. With a wave of support from various quarters, the Lab remains poised to inspire the next generation of changemakers, nurturing seeds of change that will blossom with time and care.
* The Rooted and Rising lab is based in Tkaronto, governed by the Dish With One Spoon Wampum Treaty 13 Territory.