A Seat at the Table: An Indigenous Youth at the UN Forum on Indigenous Issues

Seeing strong representation from places like Hawaiʻi showed me what is possible when Indigenous communities come together and make their voices heard.”

Lakota McRoberts

New York - The United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII) was created in 2000 to address a long history of Indigenous Peoples being excluded from decisions that directly impact their lands, cultures, and rights. Around the world, Indigenous communities have faced challenges like a lack of political representation, land dispossession, and cultural suppression. The Forum exists to provide a global platform where Indigenous voices can be heard and to guide governments and institutions toward more equitable policies.

While the Forum does not create or enforce laws, it plays a powerful advisory role. It brings together Indigenous leaders, governments, and organizations to discuss urgent issues such as climate change, cultural preservation, health, and economic development. It also helps monitor progress on important frameworks, such as the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, and identifies priorities for action each year.

My journey to the Forum began through my AMPLIFY Indigenous Youth Climate Leadership Fellowship with the Ban Ki-moon Foundation, an organization focused on fostering leadership for the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals and the Paris Climate Agreement by influencing current decision-makers and mobilizing the next generation of leaders. When I first started as an AMPLIFY Fellow, I never imagined I would have the opportunity to attend the Forum—let alone prepare an intervention to be shared on a global stage.

Another meaningful part of this experience was the mentorship we received through the Ban Ki-moon Foundation. The mentors they connected us with were incredible—people who have dedicated their lives to this work and who generously shared their knowledge, time, and guidance. Being able to network with individuals who are actively advocating at this level gave us, as youth, a much deeper understanding of what it takes to create change. 

I especially want to recognize my mentor, Makanalani, whose vision helped make this fellowship possible. Her dream created space for our dreams to grow, and that is something I will always carry with me. It reminded me that as we move forward in our own journeys, it is just as important to turn back and help others along the way. I often picture it as reaching out a hand to lift someone else up beside you—because true leadership is not just about rising, but about bringing others with you. 

Attending the Forum from April 19–24 was a life-changing experience. I had the chance to connect with Indigenous youth from around the world to participate in the UN Global Indigenous Youth Caucus. Despite coming from different cultures, countries, and lived experiences, we were united by a shared purpose: protecting our communities, our cultures, and our Mother Earth.

One of the most impactful realizations for me was how underrepresented Alaska was in this global space. Throughout my entire trip, I met only one other person from Alaska. This raised an important question—how can decisions be made about us if we are not present to share our voices? Many people don’t realize that Indigenous individuals can engage with the United Nations, submit interventions, and advocate for their communities. But to do that, we must show up.

A quote I heard during the Forum has stayed with me: “If you are not sitting at the table, you are on the menu.” That truth is especially relevant for Indigenous Peoples. If we are not actively participating in these conversations, decisions will be made without us.

Climate change was a central issue discussed at the Forum, and we are already experiencing it deeply in Alaska. Ice is melting, rivers are rising, and land is being lost to erosion. Caribou populations are declining, and salmon—an essential part of our culture and survival—are becoming less predictable. These are not distant problems; they are happening now, and they affect our way of life.

Seeing strong representation from places like Hawaiʻi showed me what is possible when Indigenous communities come together and make their voices heard. It made me realize how important it is for Alaska Native people to build a stronger presence in these global spaces. The North American representative plays a key role in advocating for our region, but they can only represent us effectively if we share our perspectives and priorities.

This experience challenged me to think deeply about why this work matters. The answer is simple: our future depends on it. The choices being made today will shape the world for generations to come. We must decide whether we want to be part of those decisions or allow others to make them for us.

For me, this journey was eye-opening and empowering. It strengthened my commitment to speak up—not just for myself, but for my community, my culture, and future generations. Our voices matter, and now more than ever, we need to use them.