Leadership is changing. Across Canada and around the world, women and young people are stepping into positions of influence, bringing fresh perspectives, new approaches, and a deep commitment to justice and equity. But leadership is not just about stepping in, it’s about making space.
When I was elected as the President of the Métis National Council in 2021, I became both the first woman and the youngest person to hold this position in the organization’s history. This was a milestone, not just for me, but for all those who had been pushing for more inclusive leadership within the Métis Nation and beyond. My election was a signal that change was happening, that new voices were being heard and that the structures of leadership were evolving.
But my leadership journey was not just about breaking barriers. It was about returning to the very foundations of who we are as Métis people. Historically, our societies have been deeply matrilineal rooted in the strength, resilience, and wisdom of our women. Our grandmothers, mothers, and aunties have always played central roles in governance, decision-making, and community-building. Colonization attempted to erode these structures, imposing patriarchal systems that marginalized the leadership of women. Yet, despite these attempts, Métis women have continued to lead, whether recognized in formal roles or working behind the scenes to keep our communities strong.
At First Peoples Group, we believe in generational leadership where knowledge and power are not hoarded, but shared. We know that meaningful change happens when space is intentionally made for new voices, and when those in positions of power actively support emerging leaders. This is especially true in Indigenous governance, where traditional knowledge and contemporary leadership must come together to drive reconciliation and self-determination forward.
The future of leadership is not about waiting for a seat at the table. It is about redesigning the table itself. It is about moving beyond mentorship to true co-leadership, where experienced leaders and emerging voices work together in shared decision-making. It is about creating policies and practices that recognize the unique barriers women and youth face and actively removing them.
If we want to build a better Canada, we need leadership that reflects the full diversity of our country. We need women and youth not just at the table but shaping the agenda. We need leadership that is bold, inclusive, and ready to take on the challenges of today and tomorrow.
Making space is not a passive act, it is an active commitment. And it is one that we must all take on. Because when we make space, we don’t just change who is leading, we change the future.