TakingITGlobal

20 A t the micro level there are also significant barriers that we face in being well and ready to participate in leadership opportunities. One of the most common is a lack of confidence and self- esteem that prevents many Indigenous youth from believing in themselves and seeing their potential as leaders. For some this is even more serious in the form of poor mental health where there is a lack of hope for the future. This is heavily influenced by intergenerational trauma and internalized racism, bringing up the important point that for some of our young people a starting place of their leadership is choosing life. Other barriers at the micro level include: limited access to role models and mentors; challenges with literacy; language accessibility issues; homesickness and culture shock when being away from community; not having our physical, mental, emotional and spiritual safety needs taken care of when being included in spaces; and having many responsibilities to our families and communities that limit our capacity to get involved in new opportunities. Finally, the severely inequitable and unjust socio-economic circumstances that many of our people live under every day directly affect our young people's ability to survive and thrive. This includes often not having our basic needs met with things like proper housing, food security, and clean water. How are we supposed to develop our gifts and take on roles of leadership when some of us are struggling to survive? R E C O M M E N D A T I O N 3

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