from Root to sky

A Collective Healing Space for BIPOC Youth

About the program

From Root to Sky (FRTS) is a closed program designed to cultivate kinship and community among equity-deserving youth by promoting wellness and healing through art, storytelling, and spiritual and land-based practices. The virtual and in-person program creates a safe space for young Black, Indigenous, and People of Colour (BIPOC) to freely express themselves while also building collective capacity for anti-racist climate action through dialogue, networking, and learning opportunities.

YCL launched this program in recognition that climate change is a symptom of deep-rooted systemic forces such as colonialism, racial capitalism, and patriarchy—the same structures that drive and sustain violence against BIPOC communities.

Meet the Advisory Committee

YCL is proud and grateful to have these Kanak, Loïk and Sofia as our inaugural From Root to Sky Advisory Committee members. This program is intended to be for BIPOC youth, by BIPOC youth - and as we look to deepen our Rooted in Community work in Winnipeg our team is grateful to this amazing group of folks for their contributions to the program’s design. Their insights and guidance will help ensure all future initiatives in Winnipeg are as impactful as possible!

Meet the Committee

Slow Down. Reconnect with Nature. Build Community.

Upcoming:
September 16-20, 2026

Rooted in Rest is a land-based retreat for Black, Indigenous, and Racialized People of Colour (BIPOC) climate organizers and environmental advocates who are looking for a space to rest, reconnect, and strengthen their relationships with themselves, one another, and the land.

Hosted by Youth Climate Lab through our From Root to Sky programming, Rooted in Rest recognizes that while climate organizing can be deeply rewarding, it can also be emotionally draining. Many young organizers experience burnout, eco-anxiety, and tokenization while navigating environmental spaces that often overlook or exclude BIPOC perspectives.

Rooted in Place

Our upcoming 2026 Rooted in Rest Retreat will take place on Treaty 1 Territory, on the shore of Lake Winnipeg. Winnipeg/Wînipêk, is a Cree and Anishinaabe word derived from wiinad, meaning ”dirty,” and nibiing, meaning “waters.”

Indigenous Peoples have lived in reciprocity with Lake Winnipeg for generations, and Rooted and Rest Retreat will take place on lands between Sakgeeng First Nation, or Zaagiing, meaning ‘at the mouth of the river’ and Brokenhead Ojibway Nation, or Baaskaandibewi-ziibiing, meaning “at the Brokenhead River.”

We also recognize the ancestors of African origin and descent who were brought to Turtle Island through the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade and Slavery, and honour the enduring contributions of Black communities who have shaped movements for justice, equity, and labour rights in Manitoba and beyond.

As visitors to this region of territory and settlers in what is currently known as Canada, we hope to honour and learn from examples set by Anishinaabeg and to work together to centre Indigenous sovereignty, knowledge, and leadership within environmental work.

Who Can Apply?

Applicants must:

Identify as Black, Indigenous, or a racialized person
Be 18-30 years old at the time of the retreat
Live in so-called Canada, specifically Southern Manitoba
Commit to attending 2 online community gatherings before the retreat in August and September
Commit to attending the in-person retreat in Manitoba (approximately 1 hour north of Winnipeg) from September 16-20, 2026

Rooted in Rest is an invitation to pause, breathe, and build relationships rooted in care and solidarity. Together, we’ll create a space to process climate emotions, connect with nature, and imagine more joyful and just futures.

If you have any questions, reach out to cameron@youthclimatelab.org!

2024 Rooted in Rest Retreat

Asitu'lisk
Wentzells Lake, NS

In 2024, YCL hosted the first Rooted in Rest retreat, dedicated to prioritizing the experiences and well-being of BIPOC youth climate organizers. This closed gathering provided a space for participants to connect, mobilize, and build solidarity while fostering a deeper relationship with the land and waters. Through rest, reflection, and community, attendees had the opportunity to slow down, breathe, and replenish their energy.

Learn more

our Virtual Pilot Year

Click the headings below to preview the topics covered:

SESSION 1: Exploring Climate Joy
SESSION 2: Spirituality, Land Connection and Anti-Oppression
SESSION 3: Engaging with Eco-Grief and Climate Anxiety
SESSION 4: Arts-Based Approaches to Climate Justice
SESSION 5: Writing as an Act of Care
SESSION 1: Cultural Story Telling
SESSION 2: Art Therapy and Climate Justice
SESSION 3: Collective Healing and Justice
SESSION 4: Climate Justice and Anti-Racist Action Panel
SESSION 5: Indigenous and Black Solidarity in Climate Spaces
SESSION 1: Environmental Inequity Workshop (In-Person)
SESSION 2: Climate Emotions Meditation and Climate Circle
SESSION 1: Perspectives on Land and Art
SESSION 2: Anti-Oppression, Climate Justice, and Food Systems
SESSION 3: Climate Emotions Short Film Screening
SESSION 4: Environmental Racism and Demystifying Bill C-226
SESSION 5: End of Year Wellness Practice

by the numbers

In our pilot year, we…

Hosted 17 sessions, broken down into 4 seasons
Engaged over 125 unique youth
Collaborated with and paid 17 BIPOC thought-leaders, artists, activists and wellness practitioners

Of all participants who gave feedback…

75% experienced increased access to rest
62% increased their understanding of climate justice and anti-racist climate work
In addition to having learned new coping strategies or techniques and an sense of compassion and community with other youth!