Report
Introduction
Since 2016, the Standing Senate Committee on Indigenous Peoples (the committee) has held an annual event for Indigenous youth originally called Youth Indigenize the Senate and later in 2022 renamed to Voices of Youth Indigenous Leaders. Indigenous youth leaders apply to travel to Ottawa and appear as witnesses before the committee. Last year, the Voices of Youth Indigenous Leaders event was held in the Senate of Canada on October 30, 2024.
The committee received 78 applications from Indigenous youth and was impressed with the achievements of every person who applied. For the first time, applicants had the choice to submit their application in writing or another format. Submissions of the participating youth leaders can be found on the committee’s website.
The committee wishes to thank the Indigenous youth who applied and participated in this year’s event for sharing their stories, experiences, priorities and hopes for the future. Notably, committee members are impressed by the strength and achievements of Indigenous youth. The committee also wishes to highlight that the perspectives and thoughtful recommendations shared by the Indigenous youth will contribute to the committee’s ongoing work. Unfortunately, exceptional circumstances prevented the committee from hearing from Inuit youth during last year’s event.
Previous iterations of the Voices of Youth Indigenous Leaders event had a specific theme. In 2022, the committee heard youth perspectives on truth and reconciliation, and in 2023, on education. This year, the committee chose instead to hear about the priorities of Indigenous youth. As a result, it heard testimony on an array of topics.
The following report discusses the priorities identified by Indigenous youth leaders during two meetings, both held on October 30, 2024. The report is divided in three sections. The first section explores Indigenous identity, languages and cultures through the eyes of Indigenous youth leaders. The next section examines early learning, education and representation and the report concludes by considering land and sustainability.
Eight Indigenous youth leaders were selected by the committee to participate in the 2024 edition of the event.
Ottawa – Indigenous youth celebrated the cultural ties that unite and strengthen them while outlining their priorities for a better future during last year’s Voices of Youth Indigenous Leaders event. The Senate Committee on Indigenous Peoples released a report on December 11, 2025, outlining what the committee heard.
Voices of Youth Indigenous Leaders is a recurring event that invites young Indigenous leaders from across the country to share their experiences, ideas and recommendations with members of the Indigenous Peoples committee. The event that took place from October 29 to 31, 2024, saw eight youth from across the country come to Ottawa to participate.
Senators learned about the positive work that these leaders are doing in their communities, including in health care, architecture and education. They also heard about the challenges youth face, including the struggle to retain their language and the need to travel far from their home communities for work and education.
Quotes
“Voices of Youth Indigenous Leaders is an opportunity for us all to learn from, celebrate and uplift the inspiring youth who are forging a new path for their communities.”
- Senator Michèle Audette, Chair of the committee
“It has been eight years since we first launched Voices of Youth Indigenous Leaders, and it’s clear that we still have a long way to go to make life equitable for First Nations, Métis and Inuit youth.”
- Senator Brian Francis, former chair of the committee
“In my short time at the Senate, I am honoured to have met many incredible young leaders who are shaping the future of their communities, and the country as a whole.”
- Senator Margo Greenwood, Deputy Chair of the committee
Associated Links
- Read the report, Voices of Indigenous Youth Leaders 2024.
- Watch the October 30, 2024 testimony from participants: Panel 1 and Panel 2.
- Follow the committee on social media using the hashtag #APPA.
- Subscribe to email alerts for Senate committees.
- Sign up for the Senate eNewsletter.
For more information:
Chelsea DeFazio
Communications Officer | Senate of Canada
343-576-1481 | Chelsea.DeFazio@sen.parl.gc.ca
Multimedia
Bradley Bacon, Innu from the community of Unamen-Shipu, Quebec, talks with his daughter, Elaya-Utshimashkuess and Senator Michèle Audette.
Brett Recollet, Anishinaabe from Whitefish River First Nation on Manitoulin Island, testifies before the Senate Committee on Indigenous Peoples on October 30, 2024.
Breane Mahlitz, health policy advisor for the Métis National Council, testifies before the Senate Committee on Indigenous Peoples on October 30, 2024.
Métis Elder Reta Gordon recites a traditional prayer during the Voices of Youth Indigenous Leaders opening ceremony in the Senate Chamber, next to Senator Michèle Audette and surrounded by Voices of Youth Indigenous Leaders participants, senators, Senate staff and other guests.
Reanna Merasty (McKay), from Barren Lands First Nation, testifies before the Senate Committee on Indigenous Peoples on October 30, 2024.
Inuk Elder Ruth Kadlutsiak lights a qulliq in the Senate Chamber as part of the Voices of Youth Indigenous Leaders opening ceremony, among Voices of Youth Indigenous Leaders participants, senators, Senate staff and other guests.
From left to right: Senators Karen Sorensen, Judy A. White, and Mary Coyle smile during Ethan Paul’s testimony at a Senate Committee on Indigenous Peoples meeting on October 30, 2024.
From left to right: Breane Mahlitz, Senator Brian Francis and Reanna Merasty (McKay), chat after a Senate Committee on Indigenous Peoples meeting.
Ethan Paul, Mi’kmaw from Membertou First Nation, testifies before the Senate Committee on Indigenous Peoples on October 30, 2024.
Faithe McGuire, from Paddle Prairie Metis Settlement, next to First Nations Knowledge Keeper Fred McGregor, testifies before the Senate Committee on Indigenous Peoples on October 30, 2024.
Participants of Voices of Youth Indigenous Leaders and senators pose in the Senate of Canada Building.Back row, from left, senators Paul J. Prosper, John M. McNair, Marilou McPhedran, Yonah Martin, Brian Francis, Mary Coyle, Judy A. White, former senator Nancy J. Hartling, and senators Kim Pate and David M. Arnot.Front row, from left, Bradley and Elaya-Utshimashkuess Bacon, Faithe McGuire, Breane Mahlitz, Crystal Starr Lewis, Reanna Merasty, Brett Recollet and Ethan Paul.
Senators who participated in this study
Michèle Audette
PSG - Quebec (De Salaberry)
Margo Greenwood
ISG - British Columbia
Brian Francis
PSG - Prince Edward Island
Bernadette Clement
ISG - Ontario
Nancy Karetak-Lindell
ISG - Nunavut
Mary Jane McCallum
C - Manitoba
Marilou McPhedran
Non-affiliated - Manitoba
Kim Pate
ISG - Ontario
Paul (PJ) Prosper
CSG - Nova Scotia
Karen Sorensen
PSG - Alberta
Scott Tannas
CSG - Alberta
Judy A. White
PSG - Newfoundland and Labrador
Ex officio members of the committee: The Honourable Pierre Moreau (or Patti LaBoucane-Benson), the Honourable Leo Housakos (or Yonah Martin), the Honourable Raymonde Saint-Germain (or Bernadette Clement), the Honourable Scott Tannas (or Rebecca Patterson), the Honourable Brian Francis (or Judy A. White)
Other senators who have participated in the study: The Honourable David M. Arnot, the Honourable Wanda Thomas Bernard, the Honourable Gwen Boniface (retired since November 2025), the Honourable Mary Coyle, the Honourable Nancy J. Hartling (retired since February 2025), the Honourable Yonah Martin