This story is part of “Stories of Action”, a series highlighting the finalists from our first-ever global open call, which saw 175 organizations apply, leading to 24 finalists and 4 grant recipients. This initiative seeks to amplify impactful climate justice efforts and celebrate the ongoing work being done around the world to advance climate justice.
In a world where the past is often seen as distant from the present, cities are disconnected from nature, and Western society is contrasted with Indigenous ways of life, Natural Curiosity is shaping a new approach to environmental education.
True to its name, Natural Curiosity harnesses children’s innate curiosity and channels it toward understanding the deep connections between the natural world and Indigenous perspectives, namely their knowledge of land and water that comes from their ongoing relationship to the land. Natural Curiosity is transforming how educators integrate environmental and Indigenous education in the classroom, ensuring that learning is rooted not only in scientific principles, but also in cultural perspectives and lived experiences.
Through workshops like Aki Kinomaagewinan (“Learning from the Land” in Anishinaabemowin), Natural Curiosity creates intergenerational learning spaces where teachers and students explore the relationships between plants, animals, Indigenous knowledge of the land, and principles of reciprocity. These workshops equip educators with the tools and perspectives needed to design more holistic lessons, which they can then pass on to their students in the classroom.
One example of how this approach takes shape in the classroom is through water-focused lessons where teachers combine the study of water’s composition with the Anishinaabe (a group of culturally and linguistically related First Nations) understanding of water as a living entity. By connecting water to the Anishinaabe relationship with water, these lessons also offer students the chance to engage in broader conversations about land rights, biodiversity, and climate justice. Teachers are connecting lessons to real-world issues, such as the lack of clean water in Indigenous communities. In doing so, lessons also become critical awareness tools, equipping students to move from learning to action—organizing advocacy campaigns, writing letters to policymakers, and engaging in local initiatives.
A Growing Network for Change
Since 2020, Natural Curiosity has provided professional development for more than 18,000 teachers, reaching approximately 400,000 students across Canada, equipping them with the tools to bring Indigenous perspectives into their classrooms. The organization worked closely with an Indigenous Advisory Board, who guided the development of the second edition of the Natural Curiosity book—a collection of resources and teachings on Indigenous knowledge applied to environmental and all education.
By connecting urban and rural communities and fostering collaboration between educators, students, and Indigenous leaders, Natural Curiosity is creating a network of advocates for environmental and social justice. As the organization continues to expand its reach, its mission remains clear: to inspire the next generation of global stewards who recognize the interconnectedness of all living things and are ready to act for a just and sustainable future.
Learn more about Natural Curiosity here!