Issue link: https://takingitglobal.uberflip.com/i/1477966
16 # R I S I N G Y O U T H C O M M U N I T Y I M P A C T V O L . 2 L aw student Gavin Wilkes is passionate about Indigenous advocacy, equitable and fair representation by and within the legal system, and the power of storytelling. It's no wonder then that his #RisingYouth project involved organizing a virtual speaker series focused on highlighting the voices of Indigenous leaders. As part of the University of Alberta Faculty of Law's Indigenous Law Students' Association's programming, the speaker series aimed to highlight the resiliency of Indigenous communities across what is now known as "Canada" during, and long before, the COVID-19 pandemic. Professor Leroy Little Bear kicked off the week-long event combining an academic lecture with traditional storytelling to share his knowledge on Indigenous sovereignty and treaty relations amongst Indigenous communities, as well as with the Canadian government. With nearly 100 people in attendance, the speaker series drew an audience from all across the country. "At the time, it was an event that was to be put on to give people a chance to learn materials and knowledge from an Indigenous–driven focus, but it grew to be much more than that." Gavin shared. "It was a chance for people to come together during a time of isolation, and the virtual aspect gave the project an even broader reach which was a huge positive." Attendees spoke of how the speaker series shaped and expanded their understanding of treaties Indigenous sovereignty, and how that all relates to the provincial and federal government's response to the COVID-19 pandemic. "This was an experience that created new forms of thinking, opportunities for collaboration, and the ability to meet so many amazing people," said Gavin. "...If you let it, your [#RisingYouth project] can be a catalyst for personal development and an explosion of opportunity." Indigenous Legal Responses to A Historic Year Gavin Wilkes This was an experience that created new forms of thinking, opportunities for collaboration, and the ability to meet so many amazing people... A special thank you to University of Alberta Indigenous Law Students Association (ILSA) for sharing the #RisingYouth grant opportunity with Gavin to make this project possible. A blog post written by Gavin on his project and experience.