Announcing YDC’s 2022 Youth Delegation to the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues
Young Diplomats of Canada is pleased to announce the selection of a delegation of five bright Indigenous leaders from within Canada to attend the 21st Session of the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII) to take place in New York City from April 25 to May 6, 2022.
The Permanent Forum is a high-level advisory body to the Economic and Social Council with the mandate to deal with Indigenous issues related to economic and social development, culture, education, health, human rights and the environment.
The theme this year is “Indigenous peoples, business, autonomy and the human rights principles of due diligence including free, prior and informed consent”
The 2022 UNPFII Delegation comprises an incredibly diverse group of young people from BC, Ontario and Quebec - between the five of them, they represent Nehiyaw, Dene, Anishinaabe, Quechuan, LGBTQ2A, and youthful Indigenous peoples.
Meet the 2022 UNPFII delegates:
Taylor Behn-Tsakoza (she/her) Communications Coordinator
Taylor is Dene from Fort Nelson First Nation, BC Treaty 8 Territory. She holds a Bachelor of Health and Physical Education from Mount Royal University and a certificate in Land and Community Based Research from Dechinta Bush University. Taylor is passionate about uplifting Indigenous youth voices and has dedicated her professional life to supporting youth and Indigenous communities.
Cassandra Carlson (she/her) Engagement Coordinator
Cassandra is Anishinaabe of Wauzhushk Onigum. A bachelor’s student at Brock for Biology & Psychology, who works with the UNESCO chair in community sustainability, and research within Brock’s Social Psychology Department. She worked with youth since 2013, including an EDI & Indigenous Outreach coordinator in the arts as well as contributions to an Indigenous Student’s Policy Paper from OUSA.
Nipâwi Kakinoosit (he/they) Public Relations Coordinator
Nipâwi is a proud member of Sucker Creek Cree First Nation in Central Alberta and was born and raised in Prince George, BC. He is a Hereditary Chief from Treaty 8 and has worked tirelessly as a Treaty and Indigenous Rights Advocate since his start with Idle No More BC in 2012 as Co-Founder and Spokesperson. Since then, he has gone on to represent both his Nation and the Urban Indigenous Communities of BC at numerous events and meetings with all levels of Government.
Paloma Griffin (she/her) Research Coordinator
Paloma is a PhD student at the New School for Social Research and a research assistant at the Zolberg Institute for Migration and Mobility. Her research investigates transnational solidarity work by Indigenous and migrant rights groups and the potential implications for domestic and international institutions. Out of the New School, she teaches courses on racial gerrymandering, immigration law and policy, and lectures on the subject of complex sovereignties.
Sarah Hanson (she/her/kwe) Partnerships Coordinator
Sarah is Anishinaabe from Biigtigong Nishnaabeg, currently living on the traditional lands of the Fort William First Nations in Thunder Bay, Ontario. She is the Finance & Operations Director for Youth4Nature and a Youth Research Intern for Indigenous Climate Action’s Decolonizing Climate Policy project. Passionate about Indigenous youth engagement, Sarah work aims to connect Indigenous youth to the international nature and climate spaces.