Indigenous youth’s empowerment and narrative sovereignty

At the heart of this empowerment lies narrative sovereignty, a key concept for Indigenous youth to get control back over their own histories. For centuries, the stories of Indigenous Peoples have been influenced, often misinterpreted or erased, by outside voices. Restoring young people’s ability to tell their own stories, express their realities and assert their identity not only restores the truth, but also provides a space where they can flourish and see and recognize themselves as individuals and as members of their communities.

Empowerment and narrative sovereignty enable Indigenous youths to free themselves from the stereotypes and prejudices that persist about them. They become the actors of their own lives, able to define what it means to be Indigenous in the modern world, while honouring their history, traditions and culture. By offering them the tools and spaces they need to express themselves, we open up a horizon where their voices are heard, where they can build a future of their own, but also, more broadly, where they can contribute to the rebirth and resilience of their communities.