In celebration of International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples, the past Saturday, August 10, The Voices of Future Generations Children’s Initiative (VoFG CI) hosted a special Online International Roundtable on Indigenous Children’s Voices & Rights, together with the Centre for International Sustainable Development Law (CISDL), and the National Sixties Scoop Healing Foundation of Canada.
The event amazing panelists including Indigenous Child Authors and Ambassadors, youth activists representing different world regions, educators, and global experts on Indigenous rights who shared inspiring speeches and engaged in an insightful intergenerational dialogue that addressed critical questions at the intersection of education, children´s rights, Indigenous peoples´rights and reconciliation, and sustainable development such as:
How can educators ensure that Indigenous children have positive educational experiences?
What challenges do Indigenous children face to access quality education, and how can these barriers be overcome?
How can Indigenous communities, schools, governments, and organizations work together to support Indigenous children's rights?
What are the challenges and opportunities for integrating Indigenous youth perspectives into decision-making processes?
In addition to wonderful interventions by Child Authors, Child Ambassadors, and expert speakers, the event celebrated the winners of the 2023 Call for Indigenous Child Authors, followed by a beautiful toast by Ms Adelyn Newman-Ting, VoFG’s first Indigenous Child Author. We extend our heartfelt congratulations to all the winners and participants and reiterate our deepest gratitude to the National Sixties Scoop Healing Foundation of Canada for making this contest possible and to the Indigenous Leadership Commission for judging the contest entries.
The winning story, The Brother’s Reunion, written by Sydnee Wynter Aime Nisyok, demonstrates a profound awareness of Indigenous peoples’ history and the rights of the child. It addresses the direct impact of the Sixties Scoop on her family and aims to inspire Indigenous youth to advocate for their rights and the rights of their communities. The Brother’s Reunion also aligns with SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities. The story will be available for free download on VoFG CI website, and a hard copy will be available on Amazon in September 2024.
Further, honoured invited chairs and speakers included: Elder Philomene Sanderson, who provided opening and closing prayer, Prof. Marie-Claire Cordonier Segger, Senior Director of the CISDL, leaders in the VoFG CI International Commission and Leadership Council, Adv Neshan Gunasakera, Councillor of the World Future Council and VoFG CI Lead Counsel, inspiring opening remarks by Ms. Skw’akw’as (Sunshine) Dunstan-Moore, Indigenous Climate & Policy Advisor with VIDEA and Canadian Commission for UNESCO’s Youth Advisory Group Member; alongside an impactful keynote speech by Ms. Portia Garnons-Williams, Indigenous youth advocate and member of VoFG CI Indigenous Leadership Council, as well as encouraging closing remarks by Adv Wayne Garnons-Williams, CEO of The National Sixties Scoop Healing Foundation of Canada.
Watch the Event Recording
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