Coralia Sevilla (she/her) is an elementary school teacher, an indoor climbing instructor at the Calgary Climbing Centre and Arc'teryx Alberta Ambassador. Beyond her roles in education and climbing, she serves as the Vice President of the Not-for-Profit organization, Soul of Miistaki ("Miis-dah-gee"- Blackfoot for Mountain). Her passion revolves around ensuring climbing is accessible to all, and she takes delight in her mission to foster community and build strong connections within climbing and outdoor recreation in general. Residing in Mohkinstsis (Blackfoot for Calgary) Coralia makes the most of her free time by embracing the excitement of both rock climbing, ice climbing, and skiing.

Tell us a bit about your background and how you found climbing?

Well I was born and raised in Winnipeg, MB by refugee parents from Nicaragua the land of
volcanoes and water. I think it’s sufficient to say that, I didn’t think rock or ice climbing would be
part of my world. To preface, sports wasn’t something that my family was able to prioritize for
me. However, as an adult I did meet two folks that were pivotal in introducing me to climbing.
Their names are Isaac and his mom Maria, I am quite grateful to them. They could empathize
with my culture with their Mexican heritage, and understood that access to recreational
mountain sports isn’t easy. So I am happy that I met them, and they instilled in me to respect the
mountains and to make sure that when I go out that I not only have the physical capacity to
enjoy climbing, but communicated the safety and technical know-how, they really instilled in me
a high standard of safety which I hold to this day.

2. Does your climbing experiences ever inform the way you teach in the classroom?

I find that it does! I’m not too precious about my classroom being the cutest place in the world. I
really take what I learned by being out in the land and bring it into the classroom For context, I
teach at school, that has an estimated 95% English as an Additional Language learners and
many of my students come from similar cultural upbringing as my own, where sports and
outdoor recreation are able to be priority. Therefore, I find myself creating different opportunities
where possible for them. We regularly go on community walks, have outdoor sketching
sessions. This year, I have the tremendous opportunity to take them for 5-days to the YMCA,
where they will ice skate, play soccer and try indoor climbing. I am truly so excited to bring my
classroom world and climbing world together. Another way I bring climbing to the classroom is
through taking the concept of problem solving to the class. We talk about how you can look at
challenges and problems and think about strategies on how to solve them and how sometimes
you have to try several times. I used films like “Rakchham: Bridge Between Worlds” to
demonstrate how to address climate, and colonial impacts on tourism but also show them they
are many climbers that look just like them, and their nations have a lot of climbing to offer.

3. Tell us about the Cultural Climbing Camp you host with Soul of Miistaki and how it has
evolved over the years?

For those who aren’t familiar Soul of Miistaki (Mis-dah-gee, Blackfoot for mountain) goal is to
create opportunities for BIPOC (Black, Indigenous and People of Colour) to recreate in the
outdoors and be able to connect to land and the outdoors while learning about the traditions and
history of the people this land belongs to. Cassie (my friend and SoM president) first established
the climbing camp with the team from Dirtbabe Collective, it started out as an initiative to get
Indigenous women the opportunity to connect back to the land through rock climbing. In the
second year, it opened up to be a BIWOC (Black, Indigenous and Women of Colour) climbing
camp. This last year, was a first, ever CO-ED / gender inclusive camp. The changes we have
made over the years, in programming come directly from our communities and participants and
we really try to meet those demands as best as we can. The camp is beautiful, we have gone out
to Canmore for a weekend, we invite elders to come and share their wisdom with us each
night, to emphasize that climbing is more than just a sport it an avenue to explore yourself and
find wellness within the sport.

4. What is your favorite Arc’teryx Community event so far?

AHHHHH that is like asking a parent who is your favorite child, it can’t be done haha. They’re all
special for their own reasons! This past years, No Wasted Days, was incredibly special to me. I
got MC, this was such a neat opportunity to challenge myself and I really came to discover how
much I enjoy public speaking and directing a crowd's energy. What also made that night special
was to share the Soul of Miistaki short film on our Climbing Camp. Another stellar event was the
International Women’s Day Touring event. I had a bumpy introduction to ski touring this season
and was feeling a little discouraged, however this event really provided a positive learning
environment for me, and I am so happy to find the motivation I need for next season. What I
love is that each event has a vision and purpose that goes beyond sending or shredding, and
we often find a way to challenge the status quo for equitable access to climbing, hiking, snow
sports and much more. For example, two films were incredible representations of Indigenous
excellence in such an organic way. One was “Slides on the Mountain” and the other was “Aether
5” I was able to teach my students, about art, reliance, mountain culture and share positive
stories of Indigenous peoples of our country that aren’t such the painful stories we have come to
know in order to demonstrate truth and reconciliation is also about celebrating Indigenous
achievements at all levels.

5. If you had all the resources in the world at your fingertips what type of program would
you run with Soul of Miistaki?

I think it would be neat to host an anniversary Climbing Camp for our 5th or 10th camp, invite
some past and some new participants and for that special year take it abroad, Potrero Chico,
MEX. Also since it would be abroad it would be a 7-day climbing camp. I want to have my
dream guides join us, Sarah Hueniken, Claire Ellick and Marcus Garcia (all of my climbing
hero’s!). I would also want Treaty 7 elders to join but also invite local Indigenous elders or
knowledge keepers to join us. I would be beautiful to really show the diversity of Indigenous
people all over the world. Also, there would be a certain level of importance in having BIPOC
folks climbing in someone to renown like Potrero Chico, because as we work to diversify our
local climbing areas, these international locations are less so because of the resources it
requires, not only financially but also social to climb somewhere you don’t know. Also with
7-days we could address multiple climbing goals, like multi pitch systems, rock rescue and
learning to lead sport.

6. Tell us about one of your favourite new Arc’teryx pieces?

Right now I’m really loving the Kragg shoe, it’s super comfortable which is super important when
I am resting my feet at the belay. Also with the lightweight material I can let my feet air out a bit
before the next climb. The Vibram sole helps a bunch in the gym when I’m instructing. I don't
usually have the time to chuck on the climbing shoes to demo a move or support a climber, so
it's nice to know I can rely on them not slipping. I also noticed the flex heel, which lets you wear
the shoe like a slip-on, that’ll be clutch when I got a shoo away a hungry squirrel from eating
snacks in my pack at the outdoor crags this spring and summer. A little hidden feature I spotted
was the removable insole, making the shoe easy to clean so I can keep em fresh after hanging
in a dustily belay spot, also helpful when traveling in case I need a little extra room in the pack!

Photography by: Camille Santiago