Advocacy Week Meetings

satisfied with all sessions, and at least 65% of participants felt at least somewhat prepared for their meetings following the sessions. For future iterations of IYAW, youth suggested having mock MP / Senator meetings would be useful, as a way to help them imagine exactly what being in conversation with the MPs and Senators would be like. Many also suggested creating more structured time for groups of youth to meet in advance of the MP/Senator meetings.

Advocacy Week Meetings

When asked why being provided with opportunities to engage with MPs and Senators to do advocacy was important, the youth's answers were both diverse and coherent. Participants expressed the importance of intimately learning the systems they wish to reform and were acutely aware of the lack of Indigenous voices in both houses of government, and particularly the lack of Indigenous youth voices. They also discussed the power that lies in connecting with other Indigenous youth and building kinship across nations, coasts, and disciplines. Youth were very attuned to their responsibilities as caregivers to future generations and tied their interest in and passion for advocacy to their roles as future ancestors. Doing this work in a collective with other Indigenous youth helped them feel connected, empowered, and inspired by each other, across a range of experiences and backgrounds.

When asked what advice they would give to MPs, Senators, and policymakers to ensure that they are better including Indigenous youth voices, participants encouraged MPs and Senators to pay for their time, knowledge, and consultation, and not request free labour from them. Youth