The Power of Indigenous Youth Voices
About This Series
Indigenous communities from coast-to-coast-to-coast face oppression and marginalization. However, there are signals of potential change on the horizon - and the social impact world can build on this momentum, especially when it comes to supporting and co-building with youth working in policy. This series is in partnership with the Canadian Roots Exchange and their inaugural Indigenous Youth Policy Hackathon.
Indigenous youth should lead Canadaโs implementation of UNDRIP, experts say
After its initial refusal in 2007, Canada endorsed the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People: a piece of legislation impacting everything from resource extraction to land disputes. With Indigenous youth being the future of their communities, itโs vital that UNDRIP be implemented with Indigenous youth policy leaders at the forefront, shaping what future legislation looks like in Canada.
Indigenous youth werenโt involved in creating COVID-19 policies โ hereโs why that needs to change for recovery
When creating COVID-19 protocols, the government didnโt always engage Indigenous communities, leaving many Indigenous leaders out of the decision-making process. Moving forward, that has to change; Indigenous youth are Canada's fastest-growing demographic, and for full COVID-19 recovery โ one that takes into account the wellbeing of Indigenous communities โ young policy leaders need equal say in building a better future.
At the rate itโs going, Canada wonโt complete the TRC Calls to Action until 2074. Hereโs what would change with Indigenous youth policy leaders in charge.
In 2020, Canada only completed eight of the 94 Truth and Reconciliation Calls to Action โ one less than 2019. Indigenous knowledge and ways of being inherently respect other people and the planet โ and if Indigenous youth policy leaders had an equal voice at decision-making tables, they could radically impact issues from the environment to racial equity, wealth distribution, and more.