Indigenous Youth Advocating for their Rights at EMRIP 2026

From left to right – Daryl Kootenay (All My Relations International), Megan Lewis (Staff, Indigenous Youth Roots), Chantu William (Youth Delegate, Indigenous Youth Roots), Kim Wakeford (Staff, Indigenous Youth Roots), Samantha Newman (Youth Delegate, Indigenous Youth Roots) outside the Palais Des Nations in Geneva, Switzerland.

In July, Young Diplomats of Canada's support enabled Indigenous Youth Roots to send a delegation of youth with staff support to attend the 19th Session of the United Nations’ Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (EMRIP) in Geneva, Switzerland. EMRIP gathers state governments, academics, and advocates to study, assess, and otherwise push forward Indigenous rights across the globe. This year’s gathering covered topics like the state of Indigenous rights in conflict and post-conflict contexts, the upcoming 20th anniversary of UNDRIP, and Indigenous participation at the UN – not to mention dozens of side events covering a slew of other topics related to bolstering Indigenous rights.

Our delegation also hosted our own side event, a panel discussion that explored what it looks like for young people to lead the implementation of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), its role in reconciliation in Canada, and the importance of youth-led research in upholding rights.

This EMRIP meeting has opened my eyes to many things that I am not viewing with an Indigenous lens, and it helps me understand what kind of perspective I should and would like to hold as someone who is advocating for Indigenous rights and recognition. While living and working in a patriarchal society I have forgotten the worth and attitude that women hold within our traditional systems and since returning home I have reconnected with an Indigenous feminist outlook on life. Protecting our future means protecting and uplifting our women.  

-              Sam Newman, Youth Delegate

The experience was incredibly meaningful to the entire delegation, broadening our perspectives, connecting us to people across the world who are working to protect the rights of Indigenous communities, connections we bring home to bolster our advocacy work with and for the communities we engage with.  During the discussion about enhancing Indigenous peoples' participation at the UN, IYR intervened to advocate for youth to have intentional, consistent, and well-resourced paths to lead and shape rights implementation at the international level. This is only possible through stable funding and capacity-building, and we urge institutions with the means to prioritize this. 

Growing up in Xeni Gwet’in we had all our needs around us, clean air, fresh water, food  and medicines in our backyard. Understanding my leadership role meant learning what I can to do to protect our nen (land) and Tu (water). Bringing my voice to the Expert Mechanism on the rights of Indigenous Peoples forum helped me meet individuals and organizations to support these integral responsibilities.

-              Chantu William, Youth Delegate