The Child and Nature Alliance Podcast

In this powerful episode of Learning to Listen: CNAC's Reconciliation in Practice  Forest and Nature School Practitioners Parisa Rahimian and Anne Azucena share intimate stories about nurturing children's understanding of complex topics like identity, race, and reconciliation through outdoor learning.  By embracing curiosity, using storytelling, and allowing children to explore their env...

In this week's episode of Learning to Listen: CNAC's Reconciliation in Practice , we explore the nuanced relationships between educators, children, and nature through powerful stories of play, risk, and learning. Host Petra Eperjesi welcomes Forest and Nature School Practitioners Jen Mason and Rosa Tejada, who share transformative experiences about trusting children, embracing vulnerabil...

In this powerful episode of "Learning to Listen: CNAC's Reconciliation in Practice", Forest and Nature School practitioners Lukeisha Andrews and Sinéad Rafferty reveal how storytelling transforms children's relationships with the Land. Through intimate narratives, they explore how asking permission, listening deeply, and respecting nature's diversity can nurture profound c...

In this episode, Jason Newberry, professional evaluator from Taylor Newberry Consulting, delves into the transformative journey of developing quality indicators for Forest and Nature schools. Through a candid exploration with CNAC, Jason unpacks the challenges of moving beyond Western standardization, revealing how the project evolved to centre Indigenous ways of knowing and relational accountabil...

In this episode, Mark St. Denis, former CNAC community consultation project lead, explores the nuanced landscape of Truth and Reconciliation in outdoor learning. Drawing from his experience working with settler and Indigenous communities, he unpacks the challenges of addressing historical truths, confronting settler misconceptions about standardization, and creating meaningful spaces for understan...

In this episode, Cynthia Lapierre, a CNAC facilitator, explores the nuanced landscape of Truth and Reconciliation in Francophone contexts. Drawing from her mixed heritage and experience working with Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities, she unpacks the challenges of addressing historical truths, confronting settler misconceptions, and creating meaningful spaces for learning about Indigenous e...

In this episode, Chris Filler unveils the profound transformation of the Forest and Nature School Practitioners Course. From skills-based training to a reflective journey centering Indigenous perspectives, this episode explores how settler educators can approach outdoor learning with vulnerability and respect. Discover the Child and Nature Alliance of Canada's commitment to meaningful, respon...

In this  episode, Jacqueline Bennett reveals how the Child and Nature Alliance transformed outdoor education by centering Indigenous voices. She shares her journey from course participant to key change-maker, discussing meaningful reconciliation, land-based learning, and creating inclusive spaces that honour Indigenous knowledge and perspectives.  Discover more stories of reconciliation and outdoo...

How can educators center reconciliation, ethical practice, and connection to Land in their work with children? In this powerful episode, Monika sits down with Lise Brown and Adrian Alfonso, co-developers of the Seven Relationships for Ethical Forest and Nature School framework: Playing, Storytelling, Land, Learning, Trust, Power, and Risk . Together, they explore how these relationships help educa...

In this episode of Learning to Listen: CNAC’s Reconciliation in Practice , hosts Petra and Monika speak with Lukeisha Andrews, CNAC Lead Facilitator, and Natalia Valencia, CNAC’s Manager of Social Enterprise Development. They reflect on the Community Consultation Project launched in 2020, which marked the beginning of a more intentional and systematic effort to listen to CNAC’s community. They exp...

In this episode of Learning to Listen: CNAC’s Reconciliation in Practice , host Monika Goodluck speaks with facilitators Lukeisha Andrews and Rosa Tejada about their journey at CNAC. They reflect on what drew them to the organization in 2021, including CNAC’s unique hiring approach, their personal commitments to supporting Black and racialized children, and their deep connection to the Land. The c...

In this episode of Learning to Listen: CNAC’s Reconciliation in Practice , hosts Monika Goodluck and Petra Eperjesi speak with guests Jacqueline Bennet and Heather Wilson about CNAC’s reconciliation journey. They reflect on the importance of Truth and Reconciliation Calls to Action, the ongoing process of listening, and CNAC’s commitment to creating ethical, reciprocal relationships through accoun...

In this episode of Learning to Listen: CNAC’s Reconciliation in Practice , hosts Petra and Monica speak with Marc St. Dennis, former CNAC project lead, and Heth Wilson, CNAC’s Executive Director. They reflect on CNAC’s early missteps in engaging with Indigenous Peoples, the discomfort of confronting privilege, and the harm of euro-western impositions. They discuss how CNAC is working toward meanin...

In the first episode of Learning to Listen: CNAC’s Reconciliation in Practice , hosts Petra and Monica engage with long-time Forest/Nature School practitioners and CNAC facilitators Kay Rasmussen and Sinéad Rafferty. They reflect on their experiences working with CNAC, providing context for the ongoing changes discussed throughout the series. The conversation touches on the challenges of confronti...

Learning to Listen: Reconciliation in Practice is a podcast series by the Child and Nature Alliance of Canada (CNAC), exploring the organization’s journey towards truth and reconciliation. Hosted by Monika Goodluck and Petra Eperjesi, the series features conversations with CNAC staff, facilitators, and consultants about the challenges and changes in their practices. The episodes cover the importan...

In this episode, Petra continues conversing with Alice and Lude about race and disability while broadening their thinking about inclusion and outdoor play.

In this episode, Petra talks with Alice and Lude, parents of children in Forest/Nature School programs, about their relationship with disability and the problem with the term “inclusion”.

In this podcast, Petra and Ellisha Blair, public school teacher and founder of Eunoia Forest School in Durham Region, Ontario, discuss building trust with families and caregivers, a step-by-step and case-by-case approach to inclusion, the child-led approach as an inclusive approach, and building a culture of inclusion through emphasizing process over product. 

In this podcast, Petra and Margaret continue the conversation about inclusion in Forest/Nature School and outdoor play contexts. We talk funding sources, planning for inclusion, and more concrete ways to improve accessibility and inclusion. 

 In this podcast, CNAC Director of Learning Petra Eperjesi sits down with facilitator Margaret Fraser, who is also the co-founder of Metalude , a Montréal-based play and inclusion consultancy. They discuss accessibility and inclusion in the Forest/Nature School context. Margaret challenges us to reflect on our relationships with disability and internalized ableism, how we think about disability, a...

In this episode, Rimsha speaks with Chris Green, the director of Guelph Outdoor School. Chris works as GOS instructor, is a Dad to two girls, and grew up in the Guelph area.  His hopes are that, Guelph Outdoor School evolves and grows with a changing world, delivering learning opportunities that are fun, effective, relevant, and as accessible and welcoming as possible. Learn why Chris considers be...

In this episode, Cherlene speaks with Tiiu Strutt, an elementary school educator and artist who is committed to engaging students with the natural world on a daily basis. Also a passionate singer-songwriter, she creates and shares songs that support children with connecting to the land. Learn why Tiiu considers song to be the most valuable tool in her toolbox as an educator, and how we, too, can u...

In this episode, Cherlene speaks with Marc St. Dennis and Petra Eperjesi from the Forest School Canada team about the Community Consultation Project , one of CNAC's exciting new initiatives which is generously supported by the Lawson Foundation. Learn about what inspired the project, the project's goals and activities, who the project will benefit, the importance of centring Indigenous a...

  In this episode, Cherlene speaks with Amanda St. Dennis, a disability and accessibility advocate on how to support children with disabilities in your outdoor play program. Topics covered include: Risky play and disability, the importance of relationships, how to think creatively about accommodations, and so much more! Download a written transcript of this episode Host: Cherlene Eloria Guest: Ama...

Is insuring a Forest School a difficult process? Michael Lough from Frank Cowan Company says: Not if you're prepared!  In this episode, learn about the types of insurance Forest/Nature School operators should look for, how to best prepare for a conversation with an insurance underwriter and more!  Resources:  Risk-Benefit Assessment for Outdoor Play: A Canadian Toolkit  Français: Évaluation r...