On either June 22 or June 23, contingent on your location around the globe, Indigenous Ways marked a significant milestone by convening its inaugural gathering. This event served as a rallying point for Indigenous Peoples worldwide, fostering a collective dialogue aimed at exploring the intricate relationship between their communities and the lands and waters that trails bring to their communities.

The emerging movement toward purposeful travel has gathered momentum, with indigenous customs and wisdom lending invaluable guidance to both destinations and trail stewards. These traditions hold the key to infusing transformative significance into trail experiences and management, yielding lifelong impacts. However, this symbiosis can only thrive when predicated upon a respectful engagement with these communities. It necessitates a collaborative process wherein the trails and experiences are thoughtfully co-designed, as underscored by Kylie Ruwhiu-Karawana, one of the co-leaders of this initiative.