Youth Walk with Amanda: Honoring History, Healing the Land, Empowering the Next Generation

In partnership with the Cape Perpetua Collaborative and View the Future, 12 youth from the Congregation of Black Naturalists’ collaborative soccer program with All Nations Oregon Futbol Club embarked on a journey that was more than just a hike—it was a powerful experience rooted in truth, healing, and deep connection to the land. The youth explored Amanda’s Trail, a historic route along the Oregon Coast near Yachats that honors the story of Amanda De-Cuys, a blind Coos woman who was forcibly displaced in 1864. Although she was living with her non-Native husband at the time, Amanda was still taken during a government roundup of Native people. She was forced to walk nearly 80 miles—barefoot and blind—from her homelands to a government reservation, which functioned as a prison of confinement. Her feet bled along the path. Like many Indigenous stories, Amanda’s was nearly erased. Today, the trail and its memorial shrine offer space for remembrance, reverence, and truth.

Michael Arthur, Founder of the Congregation of Black Naturalists (CBN) and Head Coach of the high school–age team at All Nations, is helping develop the club’s programming to go beyond soccer. Through his volunteer leadership, he has introduced innovative approaches that integrate health, wellness, and environmental education—with a focus on underserved youth. His goal is to create opportunities for youth to explore environmental career pathways and develop a sense of belonging in conservation spaces—spaces where they have historically been excluded. Thanks to our partners at View the Future and the Cape Perpetua Collaborative, our youth hiked this sacred trail with open hearts. At Amanda’s shrine, they learned about her life and legacy, reflected on displacement and survival, and honored the strength of Indigenous women. For youth who have experienced migration, family separation, and injustice, Amanda’s story struck a deeply personal chord.

Youth crossed the beautifully built Amanda Bridge—a symbolic and physical structure representing connection, healing, and the journey toward justice. Walking over that bridge served as a powerful reminder that every step forward honors the footsteps of those who came before.

Who Is View the Future?

View the Future is a nonprofit organization based in Yachats, Oregon, dedicated to protecting the region’s natural viewscapes, ecological health, and cultural heritage. Their work includes public education, land stewardship, and advocacy for responsible, community-based conservation. Through this partnership, View the Future played a key role in guiding the youth’s experience on Amanda’s Trail—offering context, inspiration, and a warm welcome. After the hike, they generously hosted a pizza gathering where youth reflected, shared stories, and connected with one another after a day of learning and discovery.

Environmental Justice Begins With Truth

At CBN, we believe environmental education must go beyond nature exploration. It must include truth-telling, cultural relevance, and historical awareness. We use experiences like Amanda’s Trail to teach youth the true history of Oregon—the stories of Indigenous people, Black communities, and others whose voices have too often been left out.

Too often, Black youth are excluded from outdoor and environmental spaces—not due to lack of interest, but because of systemic barriers: transportation, cost, representation, and access. At CBN, we work to remove those barriers. Through intentional partnerships and culturally grounded programming, we create transformative opportunities that center youth identity, community, and leadership. Experiences like Amanda’s Trail help youth build not only environmental awareness, but also pride, empathy, and a deeper connection to the land—fostering a sense of belonging, purpose, and responsibility in caring for the Earth.

One of the most powerful ways we can protect the Earth is by investing in the youth who will inherit it. They are the next generation of leaders, caretakers, and changemakers. When we nurture their connection to the land, help them understand its history, and spark their passion for environmental justice—we plant seeds of hope for a better future.

CBN is actively seeking supporters, collaborators, and educational partners who believe in the power of culturally rooted environmental education. With support, we can expand our reach and create even more transformative programs for underserved youth in Marion and Polk counties.

To get involved, contact us or visit our donation page to support this mission.

Let’s walk forward—together.