b'YOUTHYOUTH MAKING CHANGEAlana Robert and Makanalani Gomes address youth O NWA board memberparticipation in politics for educational and professional experi-By Rick Garrick[It] has been a beautiful way to transcend Alana Robert andthat perspective from lived experiencesences and opportunities, accessing mental former Globalinto advocating for that systemic changehealth supports, finding their voice and Indigenous Youthon the international forum, Robert says. confidence, and reclaiming their pride Caucus (GIYC) co-chair Makanalaniin their identity as Indigenous people Gomes have been working diligently toRobert also stressed the importance ofand youth.advocate for and create systemic change atmaking sure that ONWAs work recognizes the United Nations (UN) and within theirthe hurdles that continue to challengeThe advocacy that ONWA does has been own communities. Indigenous youth in every corner of thea really important connection that ONWA country, including needing to move awayhas been able to facilitate because it really Doing the work to advocate and fight for a better future for our people has been just part of who I am, and its beenLitigation lawyer Alana something that Ive been involved withRobert enjoyed the work for many years, says Robert, alumnishe did as an alumni youth director at the Youth Council member and alumni youthOntario Native Womens director at ONWA, who is also a litiga- Association.tion lawyer at McCarthy Ttrault LLP in Toronto. Ive always wanted to try to use my gift and my energy to build a better future from what we see right now and from what weve experienced in the past, so thats kind of whats inspired me to get involved in this work and has been part of my journey to be part of this movement.Robert says the ONWA Youth Council often accompanies the ONWA leadership at international forums across the world, including at the UN.We join ONWA in advocating on the international stage for greater equity, visibility and safety of Indigenous women and girls around the world, Robert says. So as a youth director, Ive been very fortunate to join ONWA in this work at forums in New York City and Geneva and have also delivered submissions on behalf of ONWA advocating for Indigenous womens rights to their own agencies at these international forums.Robert says she has been very grateful to learn from and work alongside the ONWA leadership and to bring her perspective as a youth and what she has seen otherMakanalani Gomes, a former co-chair of the Global Indigenous Youth Caucus from youth go through and to translate thatHawaii, is proud of the horizontal leadership lived experience into the work thatshe and the other two co-chairs did during ONWA does. their terms with the GIYC.46Fall/Winter 2024'