Voices of Youth Indigenous Leaders
Indigenous youth have powerful voices — and senators want to hear them!
The Senate Committee on Indigenous Peoples is proud to host Voices of Youth Indigenous Leaders, which highlights the strengths of present-day First Nations, Métis and Inuit communities and the inspirational young leaders helping shape their futures.
Are you a young Indigenous leader who inspires and motivates others through your work, art, academic achievements or actions? Do you have ideas on how to reduce barriers for Indigenous youth or encourage youth leadership in First Nations, Métis and Inuit communities? The committee wants to hear from you!
The committee is now accepting applications for the next edition of Voices of Youth Indigenous Leaders.
Indigenous youth leaders aged 18 to 35 are invited to share their leadership experiences and ideas with senators. Selected participants will be invited to travel to Ottawa to testify before the committee and take part in other events and meetings from Tuesday, October 27 to Thursday, October 29, 2026. All travel and accommodation expenses will be covered.
Other applicants may have their briefs published on the committee’s website with their permission.
How to apply
Applications can be submitted in one of the following ways:
Written submission
A short text (up to 500 words), formally known as a brief, that will inform the committee’s work.
Creative submission
A digital piece such as an artwork, a song, a short video (maximum 3 minutes), or creative writing (poetry, song lyrics, short story, etc.), accompanied by a short statement (maximum 500 words) describing the piece, its themes, and the goals or vision behind it.
To support your application, you will be asked to provide the contact information for an academic, professional, organizational or community-based reference.
Before applying, please review the time commitment section below to ensure you are available.
We recommend you gather all required materials before starting your application.
Applications must be submitted online or by mail before Friday, July 31, 2026. Selected applicants may be invited to appear before the Senate Committee on Indigenous Peoples in Ottawa.
Time commitment
To participate, you must be available in person, in Ottawa, for all scheduled activities on the following dates:
Tuesday, October 27, 2026 | 3:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. ET
Participants should arrive in Ottawa before the opening reception at the Senate of Canada Building.
Wednesday, October 28, 2026 | 8:30 a.m. – 9:30 p.m. ET
Full day of activities, including breakfast gathering, opening ceremony, committee meetings and other events (including breaks).
Application timeline
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June 2026: Applications open
To apply, you must:
- Be an Indigenous youth leader aged 18 to 35.
- Submit a brief (up to 500 words) or a creative piece (artwork, song, short video up to 3 minutes, or creative writing) with a short statement describing the piece, and include a community reference.
- Submit your application online, or by mail by Friday, July 31, 2026.
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Friday, July 31, 2026: Applications close
Applications close on Friday, July 31 at 11:59 p.m. PT.
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September 2026: Selection and confirmation of participation
Selected youth leaders will be contacted and will have 72 hours to confirm their participation. Additional information and program details will be shared at this time.
Learn more about the program
Through Voices of Youth Indigenous Leaders, Indigenous youth have shared their perspectives with senators on many key themes, including:
- Indigenous identity, languages and cultures, education and representation, and the importance of land and sustainability
- Indigenous education in traditional and non-traditional settings
- Leadership efforts in advancing Truth and Reconciliation
- Visions on building a new relationship between Canada and First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples
Read the reports on previous editions of Voices of Youth Indigenous Leaders
Discover past editions of the Voices of Youth Indigenous Leaders program
For questions, please email us at: rsvp@sen.parl.gc.ca