Iikaiksimatsa’pao’p (Grateful to Be on the Land) is a story of healing, belonging and reclaiming space in the mountains.
This new short film follows Cassie Ayoungman—climber, community advocate, and founder of Soul of Miistaki—as she weaves Indigenous knowledge with outdoor adventure to create more inclusive access to the land. A member of the Siksika Nation, Cassie is reshaping what outdoor recreation looks like for her community, challenging outdated narratives of who belongs in wild spaces.
Through climbing and outdoors-based learning, Iikaiksimatsa’pao’p explores how reconnection to traditional territory can be a source of strength and identity. As she works to remove barriers for Indigenous youth and underrepresented voices, she invites the outdoor community to think differently about stewardship, representation and relationship to place.
This is more than a film about climbing—it’s about rewiring adventure culture for Indigenous resilience and leadership.
Soul of Miistaki: Backgrounder
The Soul of Miistaki is an Indigenous-led nonprofit committed to making the outdoors more representative for everyone. (Miistakis is a Siksikaitsitapi word that roughly translates to “backbone of the world.”)
They believe that movement is medicine—an idea long rooted in Indigenous communities. Whether it’s hiking, mountain biking, skiing/snowboarding, or climbing, physical activity offers a clear path to wellness and cultural reconnection. For Indigenous peoples, especially those impacted by colonization and forced immobility on reserves, reclaiming movement on ancestral lands can be transformative.
Related content from ML:
Through community-led outdoor programs, cultural talks and allyship workshops, the Soul of Miistaki’s work uplifts underrepresented voices and honours the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Call to Action #89: to reduce barriers to sport and promote physical activity as essential to health and wellbeing.
They invite outdoor organizations and enthusiasts to walk beside them—learning, growing, and creating space where all people, especially Indigenous youth, can see themselves reflected in wild places. These are more than adventures; they’re acts of reclamation and community-building.
As Cassie Ayoungman says, “When individuals come together from diverse backgrounds, we create a pathway to forming allyship.”
More related content from ML:
Check the ML Podcast!
