Ottawa – Nine Indigenous youth from across Canada who are recognized as leaders in their communities will appear before the Senate Committee on Aboriginal Peoples as part of the third edition of Youth Indigenize the Senate.

These Inuit, Métis and First Nations youth, who are between the ages of 18 and 33, will contribute to the committee’s study on what a new relationship between Canada and Indigenous peoples should look like. They will also have the opportunity to meet with Senate leadership, watch a Senate sitting, and spend time sharing their own experiences with each other.

The nine youth leaders are:

• Colette Trudeau (Métis), 33, from British Columbia
• Spirit River Striped Wolf (First Nations), 24, from Alberta
• Rae-Anne Harper (First Nations and Métis), 23, from Saskatchewan
• Amanda Fredlund (First Nations), 27, from Manitoba
• Theoren Swappie (First Nations), 18, from Quebec
• Kayla Bernard (First Nations), 22, from Nova Scotia
• Kieran McMonagle (Métis), 28, from Ontario
• Bryanna Brown (Inuk), 20, from Newfoundland and Labrador
• Ruth Kaviok (Inuk), 19, from Nunavut

The Indigenous youth leaders will testify before the committee on June 6, 2018 at 6:45 p.m.

Quick Facts

• The participants were chosen from a pool of 150 youth leaders nominated by their peers.
• The Youth Indigenize the Senate event coincides with National Indigenous History Month in June.
• Last year’s edition of Youth Indigenize the Senate saw 50 Indigenous and non-Indigenous youth take part in reconciliation-themed workshops on Parliament Hill.

Quotes

“These nine youth leaders are all an inspiration to Canadians. Their participation in this study will enhance the Senate’s report of what a new relationship between Canada and First Nations, Metis and Inuit people could look like, as they are the leaders of today and the future.”

- Senator Lillian Eva Dyck, Chair of the committee.

“There is much to be learned from these young leaders. My fellow senators and I are humbled to have them testify before our committee so that we can understand their vision of the future for Indigenous peoples across Canada.”

- Senator Scott Tannas, Deputy Chair of the committee.

Associated Links

• Watch the youth leaders testify before the committee on June 6, 2018.
• Follow the committee on social media using the hashtag #APPA.
• Learn more about the committee and the committee’s new relationship study.
• Sign up for the Senate’s eNewsletter.

For more information, please contact:

Sonia Noreau
Public Relations Officer
Communications Directorate
Senate of Canada
613-614-1180 | sonia.noreau@sen.parl.gc.ca