A bit about who we are 

A philosopher, educator, and landscape photographer, Devin has been an avid backcountry canoe tripper since elementary school and has been organizing and leading voyages since 2018. He has a Master's degree and graduate diploma in environmental philosophy and education, as well as being a certified Wilderness First Responder. Perpetually wondering, inquisitive, and active in the academic world, Devin is a regular presenter at conferences, frequently publishes papers, and is working on his first book. His Master's research consisted of an extensive field philosophy, action research project in the Yukon to study the intersection of education, environmental philosophy, and media studies. There, he pondered and probed the question of using education to build environmental ethics in communities. Specifically, he investigated how the media (or technology) of educational settings shapes the ethical values and ways of being that are produced, disseminated, and re-produced via the educational process, with a particular eye toward a moral relationship with all living beings. Devin serves on the Board of Directors for the Council of Outdoor Educators of Ontario (COEO), the professional body representing outdoor educators in the province. Along with his wonderful COEO peers, Devin organizes twice-yearly conferences, runs professional development events, and works to foster a strong, engaged, and heartfelt community of educators dedicated to the philosophies and pedagogies of outdoor education. A regular presenter at COEO conferences, Devin also contributes to Pathways: The Ontario Journal of Outdoor Education, aimed at bridging the divide between academics and practitioners. ​In addition to Headwaters, Devin has worked with numerous forest schools, outdoor education organizations, public school boards, and environmental learning centres. Always looking to build community, he volunteers extensively with his local Cub and Scout groups. With a gentle kindness, a playful outlook, and always a story to share, Devin enables others to be their best selves. He's proud of all that Headwaters and its community has to offer, and he can't wait to see you out there!

Anissah (she/her) is completing a M.A. in Indigenous & Canadian Studies at Trent University in Peterborough. With an undergraduate degree in Indigenous Studies, a specialization in Teacher Education, and now with a thesis in the works, Anissah has embarked on a journey of research involving environmental education, pedagogy, and land-based learning. Growing up in the city and feeling disconnected from the natural world, she found comfort in the shores of Mnidoo Gamii (Georgian Bay) where she spent her summers at camp from the age of 6. In her early 20’s she spent an entire year on a remote off-grid island in Átl'ka7tsem (Howe Sound) in British Columbia. While there, Anissah also had the opportunity to work with the Sea to Sky Outdoor School on the Sunshine Coast. Old-growth cedars, majestic ferns, curious seals, and soaring bald eagles were all co-teachers in her outdoor classroom. Perceiving education as a vehicle for social change, she explored how land-based learning could be implemented into the curriculum to help students build land-based relationships. She found gaps in the curriculum and a general lack of recent research to back up the significance of blending land-based learning and outdoor education. More importantly, she felt there was a missing connection between outdoor education and nurturing land-based relationships. Her current research is focused on reimagining environmental education through a lens of reciprocity and respect with the aim of fostering the curation of land-based relationships for students. Looking at the current environmental education policy framework and engaging with educators and other researchers, Anissah brings to Headwaters a passionate desire for the immediate need to consider the intersection of Indigenous and land-based pedagogy, land-based relationships with the nonhuman world, and outdoor education as a pedagogy rather than a subject. ​Perceptive and caring, Anissah takes particular aim toward fostering a sense of courage and hope for students of all ages in relation to the state of climate change.

A lifelong wilderness traveller with countless backcountry voyages and stories to tell, Brock finds himself at home on the lakes, rivers, and portages of Ontario. Having completed a Master's degree in economics, his research investigates ways to account for the inherent and intrinsic value of nature – particularly trees – in economic models (currently, trees, and all other living beings, are only valued for their economic profit potential, a situation Brock finds untenable). With philosophical insight and moral attentiveness, Brock brings a uniquely Headwaters perspective to wilderness journeys, enabling others to discover the important questions and dive down to the deeper meanings of a life fully lived.

Claire's love for the outdoors began at a young age, through time spent at camp in Algonquin Provincial Park and with family on Georgian Bay. There, she learned to paddle and portage, growing to love its challenging – yet rewarding – nature! After ten years of camp, many Algonquin journeys, and one life changing Missinaibi trip in 2019, Claire decided to attended the University of Ottawa. She graduated in 2024 with a Bachelors of Social Science in Anthropology and Indigenous studies. During and since her studies, Claire has worked with Black Feather, where she has had the opportunity to lead canoe trips on such awe inspiring rivers as the Magnetawan in Ontario and the Nahanni in the Northwest Territories. Her love of the river and of the natural world now extends to outdoor education. While working with ALIVE Outdoors, Claire has gotten to share this enthusiasm, teaching young people how to enjoy the outdoors while pushing themselves to grow beyond their comfort zone. ​Thoughtful and passionate, Claire brings her wealth of experience to the Headwaters community. Having seen first-hand just how transformative nature-based models of education can be, it is her goal to continue engaging and advancing this field in as many ways as possible!

​Keilan was first introduced to a love of the outdoors through his family, with whom he grew up camping, hiking, and hunting throughout Quebec and Ontario. It was these experiences that instilled in him a sense of humanity’s responsibility toward our natural environment, and the notion that people could deepen this relationship mainly through experience and education. ​After completing a degree in English Literature at Dawson College, Keilan completed a specialization in History from Concordia University, where his research interests primarily centered around early settler and Indigenous relations. With this background, Keilan found himself most comfortable either in discussing academic theory or on the portage trail, and always sought to combine the two. After years working as an instructor on Outdoor Education trips with CEGEPs throughout his home city of Montreal, Keilan saw the intersection of wilderness experiences and education as a powerful formative experience for youth and linked up with Headwaters in appreciation of this shared vision. ​Constantly curious as to the history and function of things, Keilan brings a deeply personable and empathetic touch to his work, and is most committed to fostering a shared sense of humanity between all peoples. As he sees it, there is no better field than Outdoor Education to nurture these ideals.

Maya is an educator, writer, and wildlife photographer. Inspired in her childhood by watching tadpoles grow in a pond near her home in Toronto, Maya's deep interest and sense of wonder about the natural world has led her to pursue a career in outdoor education. ​Maya completed her undergraduate education at Western University with a major in Media, Information, and Technoculture and a minor in Geography and the Environment. While at Western, she was EnviroWestern’s Executive Gardener and a part of Western International’s Peer Guide Program. Following her undergraduate studies, she was Ontario Nature’s Education Coordinator where she oversaw the Nature Guardians Youth Program. Her passion for teaching students about nature then led her to obtain a Bachelor of Education from Queen’s University in the Outdoor and Experiential Education program track. Maya will be an Ontario Certified Teacher this year, qualified to teach Geography and English across grades 7-12. Maya uses her communications background to engage audiences in Ontario’s biodiversity through putting native species in the spotlight. She has been a guest teacher on Carolinian ecology in partnership with The Métis Women’s Circle, a workshop presenter on wetland education at York University’s Change Your World Conference, and was the cover photographer for the Ontario Reptile and Amphibian Atlas. Selected for the Northern Practicum Program by Teach for Canada, she taught in God's Lake Narrows, Manitoba, during the winter of 2025. Maya brings to Headwaters a teaching practice guided by her goal of connecting students with nature by taking curriculum outdoors, weaving academic and nature-based pedagogies. You will find her flipping logs, dipping nets into creeks, or pausing to show you an interesting bird.

Natara has been avidly adventuring in the outdoors since a young age. While hiking mountain peaks, cross-country skiing in snowy backcountry, and canoeing on serene lakes, she has experienced how communing with nature’s majestic forms and rugged landscapes can help one both step out of their comfort zone and feel as if they are coming home, all at once. Natara is currently completing a Master’s in exercise and health psychology. Her research focuses on health behaviour in disability populations, and she helps run an adapted exercise program in her community. When not on a voyage in the wilderness, Natara enjoys playing piano and going on runs around the neighbourhood. Quietly curious and a reflective listener, Natara hopes her knowledge about accessible programming paired with her lifelong wilderness experiences may contribute a unique and valuable perspective to the Headwaters community.

Combining the best of education and wilderness camping, Ray is a Program Leader for Headwaters, as well as being a member of our Compass Council. ​She is currently completing her bachelor of education degree to become a certified high school teacher. As an active member of the Council of Outdoor Educators of Ontario (COEO), Ray serves on the Board of Directors and is part of the conference organizing committee. A former Muay Thai champion at the international level, she coaches Muay Thai and boxing for both kids and adults when she isn't out with the lakes and the trees. Ray is an avid chef and baker, and she delights in bringing her culinary wizardry to the backcountry, applying her expertise to conceiving, planning, and cooking scrumptious meals while in the wilderness. With a warm heart and infectious laugh, Ray knows how to turn any group into the closest of friends. With numerous wilderness voyages under her belt, she will also be the first to tell you that nothing brings a group together quite like a canoe trip.

As a member of the Compass Council, Rielle brings thoughtful ideas, continuous learning, and an enthusiastic, creative, endlessly curious outlook to any place, wild or not. She has a number of wilderness voyages under her belt, and a lifetime to come. Active in the academic world, Rielle has a bachelor's degree from the University of Ottawa in International Development and Globalization. Seeking to peer into the many layers that make up our natural world – and reckon with themes and questions surrounding representation, access, and presence in nature and the environment – Rielle’s research interests led her to the intersection of education, critical disability studies, and nature, culminating in the completion of a Master in Environmental Studies from York University. Currently, Rielle works in the craft brewing industry and is learning a great deal about fermenting, brewing, and the production of quality beer. A complicated and involved practice – if you want to do it right – this work has opened the door to new conversations and discussions surrounding themes regarding the complexities of craftsmanship, critical analyses of the trades industries, and the multifaceted and complex discourse of labour. Rielle is creative to the very core of her soul. She enjoys painting and writing, and has recently decided to re-connect with these crafts, which she used to more frequently engage in during her youth. This re-connecting to her younger self, she has found, enables her to remain hopeful, empathetic, and joyful to all the thoughts and dreams which exist now, and those that may be on the horizon.

With a lifelong love of camping, canoeing, and hiking, Skylar will take any opportunity to be out with the lakes and forests of Ontario's backcountry, enjoying the serene and natural majesty of these wild places. She recently completed her Masters of Teaching to become a certified high school teacher, and is especially interested in bringing environmental and outdoor education to the forefront of young peoples' educational journeys. With extensive experience leading high school outdoor education trips in Algonquin Provincial Park and the Adirondack Mountains, Skylar has seen firsthand how special and transformative wilderness experiences can be. During all programs, she seeks to uncover opportunities to help others connect with themselves and the wondrous natural world around with whom they are living.

Bio coming soon...