Indigenous youth should lead Canada’s 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, it’s vital that UNDRIP be implemented with Indigenous youth policy leaders at the forefront, shaping what future legislation looks like in Canada.

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Indigenous youth weren’t involved in creating COVID-19 policies — here’s why that needs to change for recovery

When creating COVID-19 protocols, the government didn’t 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 — one that takes into account the wellbeing of Indigenous communities — young policy leaders need equal say in building a better future.

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At the rate it’s going, Canada won’t complete the TRC Calls to Action until 2074. Here’s 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 — one less than 2019. Indigenous knowledge and ways of being inherently respect other people and the planet — 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.

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