Indigenous Young Women’s Leadership Project

Lead by the National Indigenous Young Women's Council (NIYWC) supported by NYSHN, this project focuses on Indigenous young women’s leadership, empowerment solidarity-building, and ending violence. It seeks to meet young women where they are at; emphasizing the reality that youth ideas matter and that youth are experts in their own right! Indigenous women’s strength has always existed in Indigenous communities, and it continues to grow. Elders, teachers, and mentors play a key role in this project, which is otherwise by and for self- identified young Indigenous women between the ages of 16-25, including First Nations, Métis, and Inuit, status or non-status, beneficiary or non-beneficiary. Those who identify as women, Trans, Two Spirit, or gender non-conforming are welcome. Council members included: Amanda Mudry, Brittany Jones, Charlotte Qamanig, Jasmine Redfern, Kirsten Lindquist, Megan Kanerahtenha:wi Whyte, Melody McKiver, TJ Lightfoot, Samantha Nock, and Michelle Dawnson-Beattie.
 
A four day national gathering was held in November 2011, the first ever completely lead by and for Indigenous young women. In an effort to ensure sustainability of the ideas generated at this gathering to move to direct action, there were 10 Community Actions selected by the peer advisory that were carried out by these Indigenous young women. 
 
We are excited to release "Community Leadership in ACTION!" which is our report outlining the efforts of all the Community Action organizers as well as an additional resource developed through the project, called "Indigenous Young Women LEAD: Our Stories, Our Strengths, Our Truths.”

Idle No More Webinar - Self Governance For Our Bodies & Communities: Responding To Colonial Gender Based Violence

NYSHN and the National Indigenous Young Women's Council were invited by Idle No More to have a conversation on how they are currently responding to colonial gender based violence in their communities. This webinar included council members: Kirsten Lindquist, Melody McKiver & Megan Kanerahtenha:wi Whyte.

Council members discussed: media arts skills as self governance, decolonizing education, connecting body to land, Two Spirit people and the impact of residential schools, Two Spirit identities and teachings, consent over bodies/environment, rites of passage ceremonies and parenting, harmful stereotypes, etc.