UNIVERSITY CANADA WEST
UCW helped support International Youth Ambassador Program

Support from University Canada West and Fulbright Canada's Honouring Nations Program helped send six Tŝilhqot'in youth to New York to attend the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues.

The Tŝilhqot'in National Government launched a first of its kind International Youth Ambassador Program, providing the opportunity for Tŝilhqot'in youth to develop proficiency in international Indigenous human rights standards and how to participate effectively in advocacy at the United Nations and other multilateral bodies such as the Organization of American States.

The theme for the April United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues 2024 was "Enhancing Indigenous Peoples' right to self-determination in the context of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples: Emphasizing the voices of Indigenous youth."

"We are honoured to collaborate with the Tŝilhqot'in Nation and Fulbright Canada's Honouring Nations Program to support the International Youth Ambassadors Program," said Dr. Bashir Makhoul, UCW's President & Vice-Chancellor.

"University Canada West is dedicated to partnering with Indigenous nations, including the Tŝilhqot'in National Government, to design educational initiatives to help the youth develop a comprehensive understanding of the ways in which various UN bodies and other multilateral institutions strive to incorporate the rights of Indigenous Peoples into their broader developmental and human rights agendas."

With support for this program from Fulbright and University Canada West, the youth were empowered to understand and apply the human rights of Indigenous Peoples, and also to use their Tŝilhqot'in teachings and traditions to benefit their communities, Canada and other Indigenous Peoples at an international level.

UCW also participated in the UN forum with faculty member Daniel Sarvestani highlighting the University's commitment to amplifying Indigenous voices globally.