By Michelle Nitardy, Public Lands Volunteer Group Leader
My first six months in Seattle were very lonely. My mom ended up flying over from Minnesota to comfort me, and on the plane, struck up a conversation with the woman next to her. The woman shared how her daughter recently joined the Sierra Club and had begun making friends that way. By the time the plane landed, my mom had made a decision: she would pay for my membership if I joined Sierra Club. And now, three years later here I am on the Executive Committee of the Washington State Sierra Club.
The Sierra Club introduced me to some incredible people, and I am very grateful for the friendships I’ve made along the way. I am so fulfilled being a volunteer leader and this community has helped me find my bearings, not just in Seattle but across Washington state.
But something was still off, something that I didn’t even know was missing at the time. It wasn’t until I found myself sitting around a campfire, feeling more alive than ever, that I realized what that missing piece was. As I looked around me, it struck me how all of us had sat around campfires before, this was our first time sitting around a campfire with all BIWOC (Black, Indigenous, Women of Color).
If someone walked by they would think we’ve known each other for years, even though we were strangers mere hours ago It is rare that something like that happens. Pure, genuine, instant human connection filled with stories, laughter, and even tears. It all happened that night when we were all gathered to be featured in a documentary together.
Through all of my outdoor experiences, I have noticed a lack of diversity. I see my Black brothers and sisters in the cities I live in but rarely do we meet when I participate in outdoor recreational activities in the surrounding areas. When I am constantly in spaces where I don’t see others who look like me, I feel out of place.
But there, huddled around a campfire, these BIWOC related to my lived experiences when barely anyone in my life could. It created a new sense of community, and I soon realized it was a piece of me I didn’t know was missing.
This film project has uplifted me. It gave me the courage to pursue bigger challenges. Every time I think of the film, my heart fills with genuine love. I’ve also shed so many tears of joy. The film is called “Expedition Reclamation” and is the first film project to be produced by the Brave Space community.
Now, it’s nearly impossible to feel lonely with my community finally feeling complete. This film is important because representation matters. I am excited to inspire other BIWOC who can relate to our experiences. I am thrilled for the world to learn from our stories and experience a first-of-its-kind documentary!
I look forward to seeing the completed film, which will be made possible in large part by the crowdfunding campaign. If you are like me and are eager to see more of the final cut, click here to support the film and join the movement. In that link, you will be able to donate and also find the trailer, which will give you a preview of the documentary’s storytelling and aesthetic style.
You can also stay in the loop about the film and learn more about The Brave Space Project by signing up for updates on the website and following us on social media.
We are all so excited for the documentary to come together so we can share these stories with the world!
Photo credit: Brave Space Media for Expedition Reclamation