Reflections from One Young World’s Inaugural Indigenous Youth Day
On Tuesday 17 September 2024, over 60 Indigenous communities from over 30 countries around the world touched down in Montréal/Tiohtià:ke for One Young World’s inaugural Indigenous Youth Day.
Creating space for Indigenous youth
At every One Young World Summit, we aim to amplify Indigenous voices, inviting esteemed speakers like the late Senator Murray Sinclair and climate activist Xiye Bastida, and hosting stage sessions such as “The Power of Indigenous Storytelling.” At One Young World, we are committed to empowering young people from diverse backgrounds and cultures to become agents of positive change in their communities, and empowering First Nations and Indigenous youth is a key strategic priority.
Canada, like so many other countries with large Indigenous communities, has a long and painful history of colonisation. Hosting the Summit in Montréal/Tiohtià:ke, the traditional territory of the Kanien'kehà:ka people, we wanted to honour Canada’s Indigenous peoples and their history, as well as Indigenous communities around the world, by providing a dedicated and safe space for Indigenous youth to connect and share their experiences.
“Days like this are not just important but essential for the honest and valued participation of Indigenous youth in spaces that often challenge their identity, voices, and culture,” explains Justin Langan, an Indigenous Youth Day attendee from the rural community of Swan River. “They provide a sacred opportunity for Indigenous youth to connect with others with similar stories and voices but a vastly different, unique experience. Indigenous youth can connect more with themselves, their ancestors, and other Indigenous leaders by sharing stories of pain and success.”
Planning our inaugural Indigenous Youth Day
To create a day that was culturally sensitive and informative, we knew that the day had to be Indigenous-led and that the One Young World team would need to learn more about the Indigenous peoples of Canada and their history. With this in mind, we took the following steps:
All One Young World staff completed the Deloitte Four Seasons of Reconciliation training.
We acknowledge at One Young World that we will never fully understand the experiences of Indigenous peoples and the persecution that they have and continue to fight. However, we did want to make a concerted effort to learn more about the Indigenous peoples of Canada as visitors on their land. In collaboration with the First Nations University of Canada, Deloitte's Four Seasons of Reconciliation Training is a 10-module online programme on the truth and reconciliation process between Indigenous peoples and Canadians and was mandatory for all One Young World staff to complete before reaching Montréal/Tiohtià:ke.
We consulted our Indigenous Advisory Council
Formed in 2023, the One Young World Indigenous Advisory Council is comprised of 11 young leaders from nine countries, who provide diverse perspectives on Indigenous communities. Their input into Indigenous Youth Day was truly invaluable as they consulted us on a range of matters, such as the content that should be covered and the day’s agenda. Plus, Indigenous Council member Diwigdi Valiente was our Indigenous Youth Day compere, guiding all attendees through the day.
We received guidance from local First Nations communities in Montreal/Tiohtià:ke.
To create an event that was culturally appropriate and sensitive to the specific location of Montréal/Tiohtià:ke, we consulted with local First Nations communities.
We worked with an Indigenous events company and hired an Indigenous catering service
To create an authentic event that appropriately gave space to Indigenous peoples and celebrated their culture, we hired an Indigenous events company and an Indigenous caterer who provided delicious, traditional, Indigenous food from around the world.
Welcoming the world’s Indigenous youth to Montréal/Tiohtià:ke
Indigenous Youth Day was a momentous occasion which explored five topics intrinsically linked to Indigenous peoples:
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Environmental Stewardship and Climate Change
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Culture and Language
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Embedding Indigenous Perspectives into Institutions
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Transforming Trauma into Healing
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Land, Water and Ocean Rights
These topics were explored through panels, workshops, and networking discussions with Indigenous young leaders and our esteemed Indigenous Counsellors, including Scott Wabano, IndigiQueer Creative Director and Stylist, Kimberley Teehee, Senior Vice President of Government Relations, Cherokee Nation Businesses, and Actor on award-winning TV series Letterkenny, Writer, and Director Kaniehtiio Horn.
“Indigenous Youth Day provided a unique opportunity for Indigenous Youth to connect in a culturally safe space and network, an opportunity many of us don't often get in these spaces,” reflects Justin. “Indigenous peoples have distinct cultures, identities, and languages but we all share a common connection to the land and each other, and that was even more amplified in the conversations I had with Indigenous youth at One Young World.”
A lasting legacy
As the attendees of Indigenous Youth Day return to their communities, the impact of the day will stay with us all. “I've made wonderful connections with Indigenous Youth worldwide, who are doing great things in their communities and beyond,” comments Justin.
At One Young World, we will not let our learnings from Indigenous Youth Day and its attendees go unmarked. We are dedicated to continuing our allyship with Indigenous communities around the world, championing their voices and platforming their work for years to come. As Justin finalises, “Indigenous youth don't stop existing once you depart from Indigenous territory, and the support must be strengthened when in colonial spaces.”