Honouring Indigenous sovereignty toward a future of collective prosperity

How do we create a present and a future where Indigenous communities see their values reflected in the world around them?

For Indigenous youth, true reconciliation means achieving this vision through agency and self-governance. But for this to happen, Indigenous sovereignty must be recognized, respected, and integrated into policy and practice across Canada.

In the fifth and final volume of our Voices of Indigenous youth leaders on reconciliation series, Indigenous youth offer insights and recommendations on advancing sovereignty and self-governance. Addressing the narrow, limiting dialogues on Indigenous sovereignty, these leaders are reshaping the conversation, calling on all of Canada to join them in opening the shared path of reconciliation.

An inclusive definition of sovereignty

For Indigenous youth, sovereignty means exercising free will while living in harmony with both spiritual and natural worlds.

In their words, they define Indigenous sovereignty as...

"...taking responsibility for their relations to the land, to animate and inanimate beings, and to each other. Sovereignty involves having the freedom to self-express and live one’s cultural identity without encroachment, with the necessary resources and spaces to do so. Finally, sovereignty means an ability to set and have those boundaries respected. This ability manifests in having authority on what happens on their traditional lands, to their community, to their relatives (human and non-human), and to oneself."

A vision of Indigenous sovereignty

Currently, the necessary measures for realizing their vision aren't in place. So, how do we bridge the gap between aspiration and true reconciliation?

Through:

• Respecting Indigenous Peoples’ sovereignty and relationships with the land.
• Facilitating community relevant self-governance.
• Instilling reciprocity by honouring Indigenous nationhood.
• Taking responsibility by engaging in truth-telling and continuous learning.

How can private, public, and non-profit sectors work together to advance Indigenous sovereignty?

• Recognize and affirm Indigenous sovereignty.
• Cultivate environments that welcome Indigenous identities and harness potential.
• Return land decision-making to Indigenous nations and share the land.
• Make space for Indigenous, community-led forms of governance to re-root and support self-determination.
• Adopt Indigenous-led KPIs and measurements of progress.
• Affirm and uphold treaties.
• Advance judicial recognition of Indigenous laws and interpretations.
• Work together on a nation-to-nation basis.
• Make space for Indigenous-led storytelling.
• Take personal responsibility by learning and being inclusive of Indigenous values.

Learn how in our latest report

What's next on our journey?

For many Indigenous youth in Canada, true reconciliation is being able to look around and see examples of one’s values reflected around them and that the world they live in reflects their values. With young Indigenous voices leading the way, we can widen the shared path of reconciliation.

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