The High-Level Plenary meeting of the 69 session of the General Assembly known as the “World Conference on Indigenous Peoples” (WCIP) will be held on 22-23 September 2014 at the United Nations in New York. Themes for the WCIP include United Nations system action to implement the rights of indigenous peoples; Implementation of the rights of indigenous peoples at the national and local level; Indigenous peoples lands, territories and resources; and Indigenous priorities for the post- 2015 sustainable development agenda. The WCIP will result in a concise, action-oriented outcome document prepared on the basis of inclusive and open informal consultations with Member States and indigenous peoples. The indigenous peoples from around the world, member States to the UN, UN bodies and organizations, intergovernmental organizations and the nongovernmental organizations are anticipated to take part.

Canada World Youth is sending a delegation of indigenous youth from Canada, Greenland and USA (Alaska) to participate in the WCIP. This delegation is the result of CWY’s commitment to collaborate with indigenous peoples and communities on youth issues, priorities and needs. CWY met with representatives of the Inuit Circumpolar Conference (ICC), Intuit Tapiriit Kanatami (ITK) and the National Inuit Youth Council (NIYC) during the 2014 ICC General Assembly to discuss sending a delegation of indigenous youth to the WCIP in September.

Through the NIYC, seven (7) Inuit youth delegates were identified from Alaska, Greenland and Alaska (USA).  In addition, five (5) Aboriginal youth delegates from CWY’s Aboriginal Youth Committee will be part of the delegation.

This intensive 4-day experiential learning opportunity will provide indigenous youth with the knowledge, skills and strategies to prepare them to work with member states and indigenous peoples in multilateral international development and cooperation. In addition, indigenous youth will have an opportunity to voice their issues, priorities and needs in an international forum, and acquire knowledge and skills in working with United Nations mechanisms and bodies.