10 Indigenous youth activists and leaders in Canada

Young people in Canada face significant challenges. From social isolation to under employment, housing instability, a mental health crisis, and rising costs on everything, they are growing up in an increasingly complex world.

Indigenous youth often experience these realities through the intersectional lens of duality: a connection to tradition and cultural erasure, resilience and intergenerational trauma, the protection of what is sacred and the destruction of our natural environment. Their lived experience in this liminal space makes it critically important to center their voices in collective problem solving.

We are inspired by the advocacy and leadership of Indigenous youth from communities across Canada who use their voices to advocate for social, economic, political, and environmental change. We wanted to honour their efforts by sharing a list of 10 Indigenous youth activists and leaders who are living their values out loud. 

Julia Baniak

Julia Banak is a Nehîyaw (Cree) and Mixed European Master’s student, researcher, coach, and community leader whose work brings together Indigenous health, youth advocacy, sport, and cultural connection. Julia grew up in amiskwacîwâskahikan (Edmonton), Alberta, in Treaty 6 territory, while her kotawān (homefire) is Muskeg Lake Cree Nation in Saskatchewan. As a Master’s student in General Public Health at the University of Alberta, Julia is researching structural violence in Indigenous healthcare and why periods of intense media attention so often fail to translate into meaningful policy change and action.

Julia also serves as a Youth Representative on her Nation’s Edmonton Urban Committee, a role she was drawn to because of her own experience growing up disconnected from culture in the city. “I joined because I don't want youth to feel as lost and isolated as I did.” In this role, she created an annual Youth Awards and Accomplishments Banquet to celebrate Indigenous youth and strengthen connections to culture and community. A powerful moment for her was when they presented participants with Eagle feathers in recognition of their accomplishments and as a reminder of the strength they carry through their culture.

Julia has recently returned as a coach to the first all-girls tackle football team she played for. After an Indigenous player connected with her over her beaded earrings, Julia began wearing them to every practice and game, recognizing the importance of visibility she had lacked growing up. She also created space for Indigenous players to smudge before games, wanting them to feel seen and supported in bringing their culture into the sporting environment. Over time, non-Indigenous players began asking her to smudge for them as well, showing how that space grew to become something the whole team could embrace.

Jessica Fairweather

Jessica Fairweather is of X̲aayda (Haida) descent from the beautiful archipelago Haida Gwaii, British Columbia. Her clan and traditional territory is Naikun Qiigawaay of Rose Spit, located on the northernmost tip of Graham Island. She is the great granddaughter of Chief T'aanuu, Nathan Young and wife Anne Young, granddaughter of Margaret Spencer and the daughter of the late Alana Valentinsen. The X̲aayda are a matrilineal society, and Jessica's guiding light throughout her younger years was her mother, Alana. She always encouraged Jessica to hold passion for her culture and for the earth around her. At 22 years old, Jessica lost her mother to cancer and every day since she has strived to live in her honor, carrying forward the respect and generosity that her mother carried for everything and everyone around her.

Jessica is a Registered Holistic Nutritionist, Elder Wellness Coordinator, Climate Action Program Coordinator, Youth Advisory Council Member, National Board Member, traveller, singer, writer, photographer, sister, daughter, and lastly, but of equal importance, a dreamer. She carries herself with compassion and gratitude for all of the lessons and teachings her journey has given her. She embraces both the hard and the beautiful moments of this lifetime, knowing that both carry importance in shaping who we are and the way we can support those around us. 

Having observed the impacts of intergenerational trauma throughout her life, as well as dealing with her own struggles with depression and anxiety, Jessica focuses on the ways that she can help others to not feel alone in the difficult things we can face in this lifetime. This is what led her to have a great passion to work in Health care, focused on Elder Wellness, Cultural reconciliation and the impacts climate change will have on the traditional harvesting practices of her people.

Nicholas Flowers

Nicholas Flowers is an Inuit environmental activist, artist, and young advocate from Nunatsiavut, Labrador whose work is deeply rooted in the knowledge and teachings of his elders. Growing up with a strong respect for the land, he has developed a passion for climate action and a vision for bringing Inuit Traditional Knowledge (Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit) into conversations about environmental solutions. As a STEAM Horizon Award winner and aspiring environmental science student, he hopes to explore renewable energy solutions that can help communities in his region move away from fossil fuels. He advocates for a decolonized approach to climate action, where modern science works alongside Inuit Traditional Knowledge and land-based knowledge. 

His artistic practice also reflects this relationship with land, culture, and sustainability. Using locally harvested materials such as wood, soapstone, and sealskin, Nicholas creates functional objects rooted in Inuit craftsmanship and knowledge. Across both his environmental advocacy and his art, his work highlights how climate solutions can be strengthened when they are grounded in the knowledge, priorities, and experiences of the communities most directly affected by environmental change. 

Larissa Munch

Larissa Munch, a Dakelh (Carrier) and Nehîyaw activist from Nazko First Nation, shows how social media can become a powerful tool for cultural education, advocacy, and connection. Through TikTok, Munch shares her experiences with Dakelh (Carrier) culture, pow wow dancing, traditional dress, and Indigenous identity while challenging stereotypes. 

For Larissa, sharing culture online has also been a way of encouraging other Indigenous young people to reconnect with and take pride in their own cultures. She has spoken about hearing from youth who were not taught about their cultures and who reached out to her with questions, illustrating how social media can become a space not only for visibility, but also for connection and cultural learning. She also uses her platform to raise awareness of issues affecting Indigenous communities, including Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG) and the protection of Indigenous lands. Munch has emphasized the importance of helping non-Indigenous audiences better understand the diversity of Indigenous cultures and communities. By sharing her experiences openly, she encourages other young people to take pride in their identities and participate in cultural preservation.

Shina Nova

Shina Nova, also known as Shina Novalinga, is a Nunavik-born Inuk throat singer, social media creator, and cultural ambassador using modern platforms to share and celebrate Inuit culture. After learning traditional throat singing from her mother, Caroline Novalinga, Shina brought the practice to a global audience through TikTok and Instagram, where her performances have reached millions of viewers. Beyond music, her content uses storytelling, fashion, and education to highlight Inuit history, traditions, and contemporary Indigenous experiences. By showcasing traditional Inuit clothing, supporting Indigenous creators, and speaking about cultural preservation and representation, Shina demonstrates how young Indigenous voices can help keep cultural practices visible and meaningful for future generations. Her work also shows how digital platforms can create opportunities for Indigenous youth to share their stories directly with audiences around the world, as well as how tradition can thrive alongside modern technology.

Autumn Peltier

Autumn Peltier is an Anishinaabe water protector from Wiikwemkoong Unceded Territory on Manitoulin Island, Ontario. Through years of advocacy, she has become internationally recognized for her fight for clean water, Indigenous rights, and environmental justice.

Her journey was deeply influenced by her great-aunt, the late Josephine Mandamin, an Anishinaabe Elder and renowned water walker who travelled around the Great Lakes raising awareness about the sacredness of water and our responsibilities to protect it. Autumn began speaking publicly about water at a young age, drawing attention in particular to the lack of reliable access to clean and safe drinking water in many First Nations communities.

At just 12 years old, she gained national and international attention after confronting Prime Minister Justin Trudeau about his record on water protection and the impacts on Indigenous communities. Her advocacy has since taken her to global forums, including the United Nations, where she has urged leaders to recognize water as a basic human right and to protect it for generations to come.

In 2019, Autumn was appointed Chief Water Commissioner for the Anishinabek Nation, representing 40 First Nations across Ontario. Through this role and her continued advocacy, she has helped bring greater attention to the connections between water, Indigenous sovereignty, environmental protection, and the responsibilities we all carry toward future generations.

Shayla Stonechild

Shayla Stonechild is a Métis and Nehîyaw Iskwew (Plains Cree woman) from Muscowpetung First Nation whose work brings together Indigenous advocacy, wellness, storytelling, and cultural reclamation. 

An award-winning television host, certified yoga instructor, and advocate for Indigenous youth and women, Shayla uses movement and storytelling to help people reconnect with their bodies, voices, and cultural identities. She made history as the first Indigenous person featured on the cover of Yoga Journal and has worked to advance Indigenous representation across media and wellness spaces. Her visibility in these spaces has also helped open conversations about whose knowledge, bodies, and experiences are represented within mainstream wellness movements. 

Through her advocacy, speaking, and community work, Shayla creates spaces where Indigenous knowledge and contemporary wellness practices can come together. She approaches wellness as something connected not only to individual wellbeing, but also to identity, culture, community, and belonging. Her work encourages Indigenous youth and women to embrace their identities, strengthen their voices, and reconnect with cultural knowledge. In doing so, she shows how storytelling and wellness can also become tools for cultural reclamation, advocacy, and creating change. 

Caitlin Tolley

Caitlin Tolley is an Algonquin leader, advocate, and emerging legal professional whose work reflects a deep commitment to Indigenous youth, culture and justice. At just 21, she became the youngest person ever elected to Chief and Council in Kitigan-Zibi. She later served as the Quebec representative on the Assembly of First Nations National Youth Council and as legal counsel at the Indigenous Justice Division of the Ontario Ministry of the Attorney-General.

Her advocacy has focused particularly on Indigenous women and girls, including her work as a policy analyst with the Ontario Women’s Directorate. In this role, Caitlin worked on issues connected to the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG), bringing attention to the systemic violence, discrimination, and inequities experienced by Indigenous women, children, and Two-Spirit people. 

A former Miss Algonquin Nation and second runner-up to Miss Indian World in 2016, she has also spoken passionately about protecting Indigenous languages, traditions, and knowledge for future generations. Throughout her leadership, she has emphasized the importance of young Indigenous people knowing where they come from, learning from Elders and community, and carrying that knowledge forward into the roles they take on. Her message, “Kikinendam Nongom, Niganin Wabang” (learn today and lead tomorrow) captures her belief in cultural continuity, thoughtful leadership, and listening to Indigenous voices.

Colby Tootoosis

Colby Tootoosis is a Nehîyaw leader, leadership facilitator, Life Skills Coach, and community advocate from Poundmaker Cree Nation in Treaty 6 territory. With more than 15 years of experience supporting children, youth, families, and communities, his work focuses on leadership development, healing, resilience, and positive social transformation within Indigenous communities. His experience includes education, crisis response, suicide prevention and intervention, grief and recovery, life skills programming, counselling, and family support services. 

As a former elected Councillor for Poundmaker Cree Nation, Colby brings leadership experience alongside a deep commitment to addressing social injustices and strengthening community well-being. Through his continued advocacy and leadership, Colby supports individuals and communities in building resilience, developing leadership skills, and 

creating healthier futures together.

His work reflects the importance of Indigenous-led approaches that draw on relationships, lived experience, culture, and community strengths to support meaningful and lasting change. 

Maria Young

Maria Young is a Mi’kmaw student leader and advocate from Eskasoni First Nation in Unama’ki (Cape Breton, Nova Scotia) whose journey has been shaped by education, advocacy, and a commitment to creating opportunities for other Indigenous students. “I have supportive parents who helped pave the way for me by showing me the value of education,” Maria says. That foundation gave her the confidence to leave her community at 18 to attend St. Francis Xavier University.

Navigating the culture shock and challenges of that transition ultimately led her to become an Indigenous Peer Mentor, where she draws on her own experiences to support other Indigenous students.

Maria has taken on leadership roles at both the institutional and national levels. She serves as the Indigenous representative on the StFX Board of Directors and as Chair of the National Indigenous Advocacy Committee for the Canadian Alliance of Student Associations. Through these roles, she brings Indigenous student perspectives into important decision-making and advocacy spaces.

Her leadership also extends internationally. Maria was selected to participate in a feminist leadership learning opportunity in Nepal through the Coady International Institute’s Samaan Aawaaj (Equal Voice) project, funded by Global Affairs Canada, where she will connect with and learn alongside leaders from around the world. “Much of my drive comes from the encouragement and support I get from my family, friends, peers, and my partner,” Maria says. “I’m grateful for the opportunities I receive and feel a strong obligation to make the most of them.”

After graduating, Maria aims to pursue a law degree with a specialization in Indigenous law, continuing a journey that began with her family’s encouragement and education and is now focused on addressing systemic inequalities within the justice system.

Conclusion

The stories of these young Indigenous activists and leaders demonstrate the many ways Indigenous youth are contributing in significant ways to cultural, environmental, social, and political change across Canada. They remind us that Indigenous youth leadership is not one-dimensional, but reflects a wide range of identities, perspectives, skills, and approaches to creating change, whether it is on social media, through yoga, art practice, or anything else! 

Across these different forms of leadership, Indigenous youth are bringing their own ideas, experiences, cultural knowledge, and priorities to the issues that matter to them and their communities. Supporting that leadership means taking their contributions seriously, investing in the work they are already doing, and ensuring young people have meaningful influence over the conversations and decisions that affect them. These stories are not simply examples of young people preparing to become leaders someday. They are examples of Indigenous youth leading, creating change, and shaping their communities right now. 

When young people have the space, resources, and support to lead on their own terms, they can carry knowledge forward while shaping more equitable and inclusive futures.