Urban Roots Goes to Yellowstone!
Throughout the 10 days of our trip, I was able to experience things that I wouldn’t normally get to experience back in Minnesota. The long hikes to see the geysers, or new scenic views, were always rewarding for me because I wanted to fully take these things in during our trip.
Deepening my relationship with the people I was with, and furthering my relationship with my more-than-human relatives (especially the bison) through up close and afar distances, was special to me because I received their presence as a message; a gift. I really appreciated being present within these moments, in case someday, experiences and more-than-human relatives like them are gone forever.
I also enjoyed going to the visitor and nature centers, though I noticed that there weren’t a lot of Indigenous perspectives included in these spaces. I felt that representation of their historical and cultural narratives were lacking. Exhibits and signage were mostly focused on the science of places we were in, and heavily emphasized the settler colonial and National Park Service perspectives. Along these lines, I noticed many park visitors were BIPOC. Their presence made me feel less out of place. I say this because most outdoor destinations feel as though they were created for people who don’t look like me. Although I had a great experience at Yellowstone and the other National and State Parks we visited along the way, I do wish there was more diversity and representation in the parks, rather than repeatedly seeing one, dominant narrative. This would make places like Yellowstone feel more welcoming for BIPOC folx.
We got to go on this trip and had an amazing time due to a scholarship provided by Wilderness Inquiry. I liked our group guides, Scout and Quinn, a lot. They weren’t just good vibes or funny people, they welcomed our authentic selves and didn’t judge us or expect us to filter ourselves for them. I was grateful that they didn’t treat us differently for being exactly who we are, and appreciated us for showing up this way.
Overall, I really valued being able to go to Yellowstone with the people I love, while continuing to build stronger relationships with them. It was a fun and memorable experience.
Story shared by an Urban Roots youth intern.
