YDC Sends Young Indigenous Peoples to Participate to the UNPFII Twentieth Session

Young Diplomats of Canada (YDC) is pleased to announce the selection of an inaugural delegation of three bright Indigenous Leaders from within Canada to attend the 20th Session of the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII). In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, this year’s UNPFII Session will take place online from April 19th to 30th, 2021.

The YDC 2021 UNPFII delegates are as follows:

• Nipawi Mahihkan Misit Kakinoosit, Head Delegate

• Paloma Griffin, Communications Coordinator

• Sarah Hanson, Engagement Coordinator

The UNPFII Delegation this year comprises an incredibly diverse group of young people from Victoria, Ottawa, and Montreal - between the three of them, they represent Nehiyaw, Anishinaabe, Quechuan, LGBTQ2A, and youthful Indigenous peoples.

Head Delegate Nipawi Kakinoosit: “On behalf of the Delegation, we would like to thank YDC for this opportunity. We are delighted to attend this Forum, eager to learn whatever we can, and devoted in the task of sharing what we learn with our communities, families, and Nations. I also wish to both thank and acknowledge the past 7 generations of Indigenous Leadership for standing up for our people.

With this opportunity presented before us, we hope to, in some small degree, contribute to that work for the next 7 generations to come. Kinanaskomitin.” The United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII) is a high-level advisory body to the Economic and Social Council.

The Forum was established on 28 July 2000 by resolution 2000/22, with the mandate to deal with indigenous issues related to economic and social development, culture, the environment, education, health, and human rights.

More specifically, the Permanent Forum:

• provides expert advice and recommendations on indigenous issues to the Council, as well as to programs, funds, and agencies of the United Nations, through ECOSOC.

• raises awareness and promotes the integration and coordination of activities related to indigenous issues within the UN system.

• prepares and disseminates information on indigenous issues.

For Media Follow Up Please Contact:

Paloma Griffin
Communications Coordinator for UNPFII Delegation - Coordonnatrice des communications pour la délégation de l’IPQANU Young Diplomats of Canada - Les Jeunes diplomates du Canada

You can follow the delegation's live updates via Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Biographical info on YDC’s Delegates to the UNPFII is accessible here. To learn more about this YDC Delegation, please contact Nicolette Addesa, information below.

Max Seunik
Chief Executive Officer - Directeur general
Young Diplomats of Canada - Les Jeunes diplomates du Canada
max@youngdiplomats.ca