Next generation of young Indigenous leaders learn about Parliament

A new video has been released highlighting the experiences of fifty young Indigenous people aged 16 to 25 years who participated in the second-ever National Indigenous Youth Parliament.

The 2014 National Indigenous Youth Parliament was run by the Australian Electoral Commission’s Indigenous Electoral Participation Program in collaboration with the YMCA and the Museum of Australian Democracy at Old Parliament House.

Go to Youtube to watch through the eyes of six participants as they travel to Canberra to learn how government works and how laws are made.

Referring to all Australian youth, Terry Atkinson from Victoria said, “There are a lot of issues that we face and I think that it’s good to know that we have a voice within our government. Part of coming here is mainly to reinforce that belief”.

A highpoint was the opportunity to meet and learn from many of the nation’s leaders, including the Governor General, the Minister for Indigenous Affairs, Senator Nigel Scullion, other members of parliament as well as Indigenous community leaders and members of the press gallery.

The program also included a two day simulated parliament at the Museum of Australian Democracy at Old Parliament House, where participants became youth parliamentarians, debating bills on matters important to them and to their community.

“I think the change will happen from having more Indigenous leaders in our parliament and more say from the community,” said Jemarley Willett from Queensland.

The National Indigenous Youth Parliament laid the groundwork for participants to further develop their leadership skills and professional networks and become local ambassadors for their communities.

“I wanted to take this chance to get out of my comfort zone and just take that next step into becoming a leader,” said Bianca Cruse from New South Wales.