Reanna Merasty (McKay) is working to build more inclusive spaces — literally from the ground up. 

The Winnipeg-based architecture intern is among the few Indigenous people in her field, but she’s helping to change that. As the Manitoba director with the Royal Architecture Institute of Canada Board, she’s advocating for more First Nations, Métis and Inuit representation in architecture. She wants to see more buildings reflect the cultures, practices and knowledge of the Indigenous land on which they sit. 

“I continuously reflect on how much more confidence I would have gained in my identity as an Indigenous young person if I saw myself and my community celebrated in the buildings that I entered,” she told the Senate Committee on Indigenous Peoples on October 30. 

Ms. Merasty was among eight young Indigenous leaders invited to testify before the committee for Voices of Youth Indigenous Leaders 2024, an annual event that selects extraordinary young adults from Indigenous communities across the country to travel to Ottawa to meet with senators, attend networking events and testify before the committee. 

Over the course of two meetings, each participant took a turn in the witness seat to share their ideas, stories and visions for Indigenous youth.

Keep scrolling to see photos from Voices of Youth Indigenous Leaders 2024 and read the stories and messages each participant presented to senators.

Reanna Merasty (McKay)

Reanna Merasty (McKay), an architecture intern from Barren Lands First Nation in northern Manitoba, tells the Senate Committee on Indigenous Peoples about her work advocating for more Indigenous representation in her field. Notably, she cofounded the Indigenous Design and Planning Students’ Association at the University of Manitoba.

“We want to hear from trailblazing Indigenous youth on what life is like in their communities and learn about the incredible work they are doing to inspire others,” Senator Brian Francis, chair of the Senate Committee on Indigenous Peoples, told the Senate Chamber. 

Bradley Bacon

Bradley Bacon hugs his three-year-old daughter, Elaya-Utshimashkuess, after testifying before the committee. Mr. Bacon said that his father used to bring him to visit Parliament in Ottawa as a young child.

Bradley Bacon travelled to Ottawa from Unamen-Shipu, a small Innu community along the Gulf of Saint Lawrence in northern Quebec that is only accessible by boat or plane. An Innu translator, interpreter and entrepreneur, Mr. Bacon says his language is thriving in the small community. However, he laments what he calls “rising individualism” and a decrease in the values that once defined his community, including respect for Elders. His visit to the Senate, with his three-year-old daughter Elaya- Utshimashkuess by his side, was a full-circle moment: his own father used to take him to Parliament Hill when he was small. 

“When I was young, I told myself I had to achieve something when I became an adult; I had to defend… not just the interest of my community, but the entire Innu nation in Quebec,” he said. 

“I have come to do that.”

Justin Langan

Justin Langan talks to the committee about the Truth and Reconciliation process. “We’re going through the truth right now,” he said. “What that reconciliation looks like, we don’t know.”

Justin Langan, a Métis youth advocate from Swan River, Manitoba, called for investment in culturally appropriate education, mental health resources for Indigenous youth and economic opportunities that align with Indigenous values. He said Indigenous youth must be more involved in decision-making opportunities. 

“We are not just the future; we are the present,” he said. 

Mr. Langan praised the Senate for hosting the event as a way to engage with young Indigenous people but noted that it’s only one step towards action. Senator Francis said the committee would publish a report on the event.

Crystal Starr Lewis

Crystal Starr Lewis tells the committee about the significant challenges she faced in her path to becoming a youth leader, including living in multiple foster homes and facing family drug addictions. “What I’m trying to do is inspire others by being that change,” she said. Before she turned two years old, Crystal Starr Lewis had moved between several different foster homes. By the time she turned six, she had decided to dedicate her life to being a leader, and to living drug and alcohol free. She is now a British Columbia Assembly of First Nations Youth Representative, she has spoken to the United Nations on her anti-trafficking initiatives, she is a first-generation speaker of her language, and she has earned more than 30 awards and certificates. In describing her accomplishments to the committee, Ms. Lewis said they “tell a story of a girl who decided to believe in herself despite her obstacles and challenges.”

Breane Mahlitz

Voices of Youth Indigenous Leaders participant Breane Mahlitz tells the committee about her work advocating for Métis-led health-care systems. She’s studying at the University of British Columbia’s Indigenous Public Health graduate program.

Breane Mahlitz, a health policy advisor for the Métis National Council, spoke about her work advocating for Métis-led health care systems. She said her people need access to culturally appropriate health care, and pointed to the recent case of a Métis man in Saskatchewan who woke up from a hip surgery to find that his ponytail had been cut off. Ms. Mahlitz, who hails from Edmonton, Alberta, said she hopes to amplify Métis youth voices through her work. 

“After all, Louis Riel was 25 when he began the Red River Resistance — even younger than I am today,” she said.

Faithe McGuire

Documentary filmmaker Faithe McGuire describes her work capturing the stories of her people in Paddle Prairie Métis Settlement. She said her connection to her home and her pursuit of Métis history have helped her overcome personal struggles. “To have this land base to return to has given me a place in this world,” she said. She testified next to Knowledge Keeper Fred McGregor.

Filmmaker and photographer Faithe McGuire spoke about how she has learned more about her Métis culture through storytelling. Her documentary films focus on people from her community of Paddle Prairie Métis Settlement, which is one of eight Métis settlements in Alberta. She said she has struggled with feelings of “shame and insignificance,” but her connection to the land where she was raised — and where she is now raising her children — has given her a sense of belonging.

Brett Recollet

Brett Recollet tells committee members that educators are often hesitant to teach Indigenous history in their classrooms. “Many feel unprepared to teach about Residential Schools, afraid they might say the wrong thing or feel they lack the lived experience to do the topic justice,” he said. “Instead of avoiding the topic, or relying on Indigenous staff to take on this burden, I encourage these educators to embrace discomfort.”Several of the youth spoke about Indigenous education, including Brett Recollet, an Anishinaabe two-spirit man from Whitefish River First Nation who works as an Indigenous support worker at a school board. He pointed to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action, which call for the creation of school curriculum on residential schools, treaties and Indigenous history. He said implementation is inconsistent across the country and that he hopes to one day see a two-eyed-seeing approach — or the integration of western and Indigenous ways of learning — in all school boards.

Ethan Paul

Ethan Paul, of Membertou First Nation, talks about his various youth initiatives, including the Mi’kmaq seafood cookbook that he’s working on (a hit among Senate committee members!). “Ultimately, my hope is to empower Indigenous youth to shape their own paths, advocate for their rights and lead with the wisdom of our ancestors,” he said.

From teaching traditional eel harvesting practices to writing a seafood cookbook, Ethan Paul is finding ways to connect Mi’kmaq youth to their culture. A student of Mi’kmaw Early Childhood Education at the Nova Scotia Community College, Ethan Paul wants to see culturally relevant school curricula and youth representation at all decision-making levels. “Together, we can create a future where Indigenous youth not only thrive but lead in ways that honour our past and shape a brighter future.”

Senator Judy A. White participates in a smudging ceremony at the Senate of Canada Building to launch Voices of Youth Indigenous Leaders 2024.

Senator David M. Arnot speaks with Ethan Paul during a welcoming reception.

Senator Brian Francis, chair of the Senate Committee on Indigenous Peoples, introduces the participants of Voices of Youth Indigenous Leaders 2024 during the October 29 opening reception.

From left, senators Karen Sorensen, Judy A. White and Mary Coyle listen to Voices of Youth Indigenous Leaders participant Ethan Paul.

Senator Michèle Audette at the reception.

From left, senators Yonah Martin, Nancy J. Hartling and John M. McNair listen to testimony during a Senate Committee on Indigenous Peoples meeting.

Participants of Voices of Youth Indigenous Leaders and senators hold up flags representing some of the participants’ communities. Back row, from left, senators Paul J. Prosper, John M. McNair, Marilou McPhedran, Yonah Martin, Brian Francis, Mary Coyle, Judy A. White, Nancy J. Hartling, 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.

Watch Breane Mahlitz, Bradley Bacon, Faithe McGuire and Reanna Merasty (McKay) testify before the committee.

Watch Ethan Paul, Crystal Starr Lewis, Justin Langan and Brett Recollet testify.

Learn more about the participants of Voices of Youth Indigenous Leaders 2024.