Hayley Gendron

Hayley Gendron is an Indigenous law student, outdoor athlete, and content creator based on W̱SÁNEĆ territory (Vancouver Island, BC). She is of Omamíwínini (Algonquin) and English descent, and a member of Shabot Obaadjiwan First Nation. Gendron is an alpinist, hiker, and paddler, with a focus on Indigenous rights, conservation ecology, and engaging with the land. She merges her athletic pursuits with her legal studies, aiming to decolonize the outdoor industry and promote Indigenous perspectives on environmental stewardship. Her work often highlights the importance of inclusion and addresses systemic barriers that prevent Indigenous Peoples and minority groups from accessing outdoor activities.

Gendron has cultivated partnerships with brands, tourism boards, and non-governmental organizations that align with her values. She uses her platform to share narratives about her outdoor experiences and advocate for social and environmental change. Her contributions include written pieces for publications such as Go Canada, where she has explored topics like Indigenous-guided travel adventures and overlooked winter destinations in British Columbia. Through her activities, Gendron emphasizes connecting with ancestral lands and learning traditional practices.

In addition to her content creation and athletic endeavors, Gendron is involved in initiatives aimed at empowering Indigenous women in outdoor spaces. She co-leads a hiking mentorship program for Indigenous women and gender-expansive community members, designed to provide access to outdoor sports, leadership skills, and practical certifications like Wilderness First Aid. This program specifically aims to reduce financial and systemic barriers, foster community, and support participants in gaining employment in the outdoor industry, further challenging the historical exclusion of Indigenous voices from these sectors.