They are organizing marches, walkouts, protests, campaigns, leading nonprofits, lobbying governments, and challenging norms in every aspect of society. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

The two started their first chapters at their own school Seaquam Secondary and East Three Secondary in Inuvik, Northwest Territories. Arnaquq-Baril is soft-spoken and careful about her word choices, often pausing mid- sentence. I don’t know if the indigenous world is having an effect on the #MeToo movement, but I hope the #MeToo movement will have an effect on the indigenous world.”, SF: “We haven’t heard enough from indigenous women. Vishal didn’t understand how she could face extreme poverty when he didn’t. We had federal day schools up here. (That consideration extends to her auto­matically spelling out Inuktitut words for me.) I’m an incredibly deep, emotional person.” Today, she channels those emotions into advocating for indigenous issues, such as violence against women. Areezo Najibzadeh is the Co-Founder and Executive Director of the Young Women’s Leadership Network based in Toronto. Indigenous Climate Action is pleased to formally announce Melina Laboucan-Massimo as the Campaigns Director. At an annual meeting of Canadian Premiers, Autumn directly called on the Prime Minister to invest in the health and wellbeing of First Nations. This understanding came about on an expedition to the Arctic in 2016 with the Students on Ice Foundation. The moment that cemented her badassery for me was when she received a Meritorious Service Cross for outstanding indigenous leadership from then Governor General David Johnston; her baby son was nestled in her amautik, an Inuit parka with a pouch on the back. Many people were exposed to sexual, physical and verbal abuse, cultural denial and having their mouths washed out with soap for speaking their language. We want to honour the pain of people who have gone through colonization, but we’re also trying to do something for the victims.”, SF: “With Standing Rock, I had to remind myself that the battle wasn’t about the pipeline; the battle was about people organizing. Required fields are marked *. “I’ve walked that fine line between thoughts of suicide and feeling very vulnerable.

This reson­ates with me, coming from a community with its own residency bylaw—often not enforced—which means my non-indigenous husband technically isn’t welcome to live there. However, there has been a renaissance in Native and Indigenous activism. I think those conversations need to happen in our communities as well—especially because of the history of residential-school abuse. That’s what I love about business so much; it’s a powerful economic motivator.”, Alethea Arnaquq-Baril: “There are so few places of employment up here that the government is the main employer (it used to be sealskin), and a lot of Inuit feel like they have their hands tied—that they can’t criticize the government, policy or law publicly because they work for the government.”, WHM: “We still have a significant percentage of our population living in third- and fourth-world conditions. Larissa by Monica Shafik (@beautyandthetreatz). I first saw her on television during the Pan American Games in Toronto in 2015. Can't decide if you should send your kids back to school this fall? 864513783RR0001. Not only did she discover the water was very contaminated, Stella learned that 600 sewage pipes were illegally dumping in the river. But it’s also an emotional one: Kahnawà:ke is her home, her family. Most notably, Vishal, based in Oakville, Ontario, witnessed a young girl about his age who looked underfed and begging on the street. On the last day of the conflict, she was stabbed while holding her four-year-old sister. Get inspired and stay up-to-date with Level’s progress. Read this. As a former Ontario government employee and now independent business owner, she works internationally as a consultant, trainer, and professional public speaker. She was a games ambassador—she’s a former water-polo player and the first Mohawk woman to ever be on a Canadian Olympic team (in 2000). They have worked with a number of Ottawa-based non-profits and boards that provide educational, sexual, and mental health resources for children, youth, and LGBTQ+ people. It’s still very hush-hush up here. In response, Stella Bowles decided to test the fecal bacteria in the water for her grade six science project and post her findings on her Facebook page devoted to that project. Fox is of Anishinaabe lineage, and the issues closest to her heart are the preservation of culture and the environment. But while these facts rattle around in my head, besides the occasional retweet, I haven’t exactly left a strong impression on my friends—both IRL and on social media—that I’m affected by these injustices. Or, if you’re feeling inspired to give to one of your favourite charities empowering young people, browse charities supporting youth and children on CanadaHelps and give today! We talk so much about reconciliation, but I don’t think I can truly feel a part of the fabric of this country until we acknowledge the truth.”, AAB: “Broadly speaking, a lot of Inuit are proud to be Canadian. Like NFL players not standing for the American anthem in protest, my whole life I haven’t stood up for the Canadian anthem. The Inuit face a more difficult situation than other indigenous people in Canada; they are especially isolated, and their struggles—a housing crisis, food shortages, the highest youth-suicide rates in the country, to name a few—are often overlooked.

I’ve since realized that there are bigger things at stake than trophies. Fae (they/she) is driven because of the way that transphobia and oppression have impacted her and the communities she cares for. Horn-Miller was just 14. Her results on Facebook went viral, reaching policymakers from all three levels of government who jointly pledged 15.7 million dollars to clean up the river. Education is the only way we’re going to get out of the situation we’re in. Indigenous women are especially vulnerable. Her advocacy has taken shape in award-winning ribbon skirt making and research, nationally broadcasted political commentary, and contracts with clients such as the Canadian federal government and Métis Nation of Ontario. Her fearless activism and devotion to Indigenous communities has won her international regards, including the Junior Citizen of the Year and International Children’s Peace Prize. She was arrested, alongside 98 other youth, at an Ottawa Climate 101 event she organized to protest pipeline expansions. “I’ve struggled with PTSD since I was a teenager,” she says. What needs to happen, sooner rather than later, is coming up with solutions to housing, water, poverty and suicide.”, SF: “It has always been a touchy subject for me. Sign Up For Our Newsletter Here. She is driven by a desire for a more just, inclusive and equitable world in which trans, 2SLGBTQ+, and all marginalized people, can not only survive, but thrive. I stand in solidarity with natives and non-natives—with everyone who is standing up for the earth.”, WHM: “I’ve seen change in the 27 years since the Oka crisis because I’ve been aware and part of this movement for so long.

Back at school in Delta, British Columbia, Abhayjeet and his brother came up with the idea to launch Break the Divide, an international network of students who could connect, communicate, and create change on a number of different issues. “I’m inspired by Indigenous youth who are dedicated to regeneration,” says Jarita Greyeyes, who is Nēhiyaw from the Muskeg Lake Cree Nation and the Red Pheasant Cree Nation, both located in Treaty 6 territory. Globally, changemakers like 16-year-old Swedish environmental activist Greta Thunberg or 22-year-old female education activist Malala Yousafzai from Pakistan are now household names for their advocacy efforts. A group of youth climate activists are challenging Conservative Party of Canada leader Erin O’Toole’s “Take Back Canada” slogan, saying they actually used it first. Larissa Crawford is a 23-year old Metis and Jamaican woman from Calgary, Alberta. I want to scream at the top of my lungs about a few things, and I’m waiting for permission—which is very indigenous-style.

In Canada, thousands of young Canadians are leading change and making a difference in various fields.