Support an Indigenous Youth at the UN Global Plastics Treaty

Hi friends, relatives, and supporters,

My name is Samantha Jack. I am a Nuu-Chah-Nulth and Yale First Nations woman, an advocate, and a youth leader walking in service of the next seven generations. I currently serve as the National Youth Executive for the National Association of Friendship Centres (NAFC), a Youth Advisor for the Fraser Region Aboriginal Friendship Centre Association (FRAFCA), and a member of the UN Global Indigenous Youth Caucus (GIYC). I also bring experience as a consultant and facilitator with Len Pierre Consulting, where I support cultural safety and decolonial work.

I have been selected to attend the Global Plastics Treaty Negotiations (INC-5.2) in Geneva, a historic moment where the world is coming together to negotiate a treaty to end plastic pollution.

These global spaces are rarely accessible to Indigenous youth. But our voices, especially from urban Indigenous communities, carry knowledge, lived experience, and solutions that are urgently needed. I am going to help make sure we are heard.

I have raised $2,000 through sponsorships so far and I am still actively reaching out to organizations. The full cost of travel, accommodations, and meals is closer to $8,000.

To be honest, asking community for support was never my first choice. I know how much our people are carrying right now and how many needs exist in our circles. But with deadlines coming quickly and travel needing to be booked, I felt it was time to humbly put this call out. If you are able to support through a donation, a share, or simply kind encouragement, it would mean so much.

This work is about more than plastics. It is about justice, about protecting the lands and waters we all depend on, and about making sure Indigenous youth have a voice in global decisions that shape our future.

Humbly, and with deep gratitude,

Samantha Jack.