There Is No Indigenous Inclusion without Including Indigenous Youth

Background & Purpose

Indigenous communities across Turtle Island, have long recognized children and youth as sacred and vital contributors to community, governance, and intergenerational learning. Elder Dan Ross, of the Pikwàkanagàn First Nation, opens the Government of Canada State of Youth Report stating, “When the Wisdom Keepers speak, all should listen. So it is with youth: when youth speak, all should listen.” This quote reflects the equality between generations in Indigenous communities that contrasts with Western societies, where children and youth are disenfranchised and occupy a subordinate social position. While social work has increasingly embraced youth voice in youth-serving systems, these efforts remain largely shaped by Western epistemologies. This study seeks to explore how Indigenous knowledge systems, traditions, and values can enrich and expand understanding of youth engagement theory and practice within social work.

Methods

This study employs an Indigenous Research Paradigm (IRP), drawing on relational accountability and an ethic of care. The process is rooted in the practice of braiding hair as a metaphor for interweaving strands of knowledge with intentionality, care, and prioritization of Indigenous knowledge systems. The IRP draws on Indigenous Feminism, which affirms gender inclusivity and highlights the relational responsibilities of all community members, including intergenerational contributions to governance and decision-making. Semi-structured conversations (n=10) with Indigenous community members contextualize youth engagement literature and youth voice within Indigenous-led climate spaces, to explore how youth voice is understood and practiced within Indigenous-led climate spaces.

Results

Indigenous-led climate work offers a compelling lens for youth engagement, as it is rooted in Indigenous knowledge systems that prioritize intergenerational knowledge sharing to sustain reciprocal relationships with the land and water systems. Preliminary analysis reveals that Indigenous community members; 1) view youth as vital carriers and bridges of cultural knowledge, 2) embrace the responsibility of adults – as aunties, uncles, mentors- to support and nurture the next generation, and 3) deeply value youth as active contributors to societal change. For example, at the 2024 Assembly of First Nations National Climate Gathering, Indigenous youth were intentionally embedded in the planning and facilitation to weave youth priorities throughout the gathering. Similarly, within the United Nations Framework for the Convention on Climate Change Indigenous People’s Caucus, youth leadership is not symbolic but embedded in shaping priorities and advocacy. Youth engagement in community member’s view, must be relational, reciprocal, and rooted in respect.

Implications

Indigenous epistemologies demonstrate that youth engagement is not an emerging strategy, but a longstanding practice that honours every community member’s responsibility and role. Western frameworks such as Positive Youth Development or Youth-Adult Partnerships may be strengthened by centering Indigenous values of relationality, reciprocity, and respect. This research sheds light on the centrality of youth inclusion and engagement within Indigenous communities. Youth inclusion is not only essential to effective climate leadership but to the broader project of decolonization. Meaningfully engaging Indigenous Peoples requires engaging Indigenous youth—not as future leaders, but as knowledge holders and leaders in their own right.