Voices of Youth Indigenous Leaders gives Indigenous youth from across Canada the opportunity to share perspectives on how Senate business is affecting their communities.
Running since 2016, the program will select eight youth between the ages of 18 and 35 to come to Ottawa in October and present to senators on the Standing Senate Committee on Indigenous Peoples.
Youth not selected may be invited to submit written briefs, the Senate’s website said. Applications close on July 31.
Senator Michèle Audette, chair of the committee, said she first went to the Senate as a witness almost 30 years ago. She went with “bias, ignorance and also I didn’t have a good opinion of the Senate those days,” she said this week.
“I thought they were all white, all old and knew nothing about us and making decisions on our behalf. So I wish we had that program when I was younger,” Audette said.
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That visit to the Senate changed her perspective on the people who serve as senators and the work they do. She returned home and told the lawyer she was working with: “One day, I want to be a senator to change and fight the discrimination within the system.”
“For me, it’s a program that I’ll make sure it stays alive until I leave, when I’ll be 75 years old, so people can see how the work is happening and how they do improve the region when they come and witness, stand either against or in favour or bring an amendment,” said Audette of the impact she wants the program to have on participants.
Along with presentations to senators, youth will meet the staff who support the work of the Senate and have an opportunity to connect with senators from their region or who have shared interests.
Ultimately, Audette said, it’s important that Indigenous youth learn “to be a witness and to see behind the scenes to see how the Senate of Canada is working for the people and with the people.”
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“Lets not forget that for decades, this place was trying to erase us as Indigenous people. Now we’re inside this place,” said Audette, who is Innu.
Audette asked youth to bring their flags “so you can [fly] your nation in the chamber to make sure we do not forget you.”
She said youth interested in applying should “follow their little inner voice” and share what’s important to them in their application. They could apply with ideas on topics the Standing Senate Committee on Indigenous Peoples is already considering – the duty to consult, how Indigenous peoples are involved in major infrastructure projects, the Indigenous Languages Act, child welfare, sustainable development – or on any topic of their choosing.
“The Senate is there and we want to make sure we hear the youth, their concerns, their struggles, but also their priorities and where they’re making differences and to help us to be better senators, to be connected to the realities and Indigenous peoples,” said Audette.
