Indigenous Women Outdoors started as Tá7elnexwtway, a hiking project to get more Squamish Nation women out on the land.
In 2017, founder Myia Antone (Sḵwx̱ú7mesh) attended a MEC Outdoor Nation’s Think Outside Summit.
Myia saw the gap in the outdoor industry where Indigenous peoples (especially Indigenous women and youth) and People of Colour face more barriers to getting into the outdoors. The Think Outside Summit was dedicated to getting more young Canadians active outdoors: Myia attended with Tá7elnexwtway in mind. She got help from local entrepreneurs and a panel of experts to refine and pitch the idea. After winning a grant from this weekend, she was able to get this project off the ground and into her community.
Myia started Tá7elnexwtway as a way to empower Sḵwx̱wú7mesh matriarchs to re-occupy their traditional land through outdoor activity. She felt that by creating more opportunities in her community for Indigenous women to be leaders and role-models in the outdoor industry, it will also inspire youth and even elders.
That summer, in collaboration with Squamish Nation, Myia started a hiking group that met bi-weekly. They got women out hiking who had never been and planted a seed of motivation and inspiration to keep going. By offering help such as transportation, gear and food, they were able to bring women out on the land in a good and safe way. As Tá7elnexwtway grew, IWO was created.
While Myia started guiding for Indigenous youth the following summer, the hiking program continues with the Squamish Nation Recreation department organizing and going out.
“I think the mentality of the outdoor industry needs to change. By changing this mentality, spaces will open where everyone will be able to feel and respect Indigenous peoples’ love for their own land and waters and understand the histories of those places. I respect Mother Earth and I know she protects me while I’m out there. I have a connection to my lands and waters that is indescribable and magical.”
