Every year on 9 August, the world observes the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples. A day set aside to raise awareness of, and help protect, the rights of Indigenous communities everywhere. Indigenous rights and heritage can sound like a distant topic — something for policy papers, not everyday life. But for Roots & Shoots members around the world, it’s personal, present, and full of action. Here’s how two Roots & Shoots groups are honouring culture and confronting hard truths, side by side.
Roots & Shoots Youth Leader Loxitawny Campbell lives in New Mexico and does a variety of work in her Indigenous community and others. Two projects show what that looks like.
She held a Culture Shock Car Show, highlighting car show enthusiasts who are bringing Indigenous perspectives to this popular hobby in New Mexico, with cars decorated with Indigenous designs.
She also distributes dignity kits to incarcerated and unhoused women in her community, many of whom are Indigenous. The kits include snacks, hygiene products, and plants with significance to the Navajo Nation. She has also handed out blue corn mush, a traditional Navajo dish.
In Edmonton, Alberta, students in grades 9–12 took a stand to raise awareness about the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and 2Spirit (MMIWG+) epidemic in Canada. Their project educated their school and community while fostering a sense of unity and empowerment.
The girls organised an evening event for their families and community, featuring performances and activities such as beading projects, drumming, and sharing personal stories. The event provided a platform to raise awareness about gender and racial inequity facing Indigenous women, girls, and 2Spirit people, and encouraged open conversations about tough topics, creating a safe space for students to ask questions and learn.
The students wore red ribbons and had red handprints on their faces. As one student shared: “When people ask about the handprints, we get the opportunity to explain the importance.”
From a car show to an evening of beading, drumming, and important conversations, these projects prove that honouring heritage and demanding justice can go hand in hand.
These Roots & Shoots youth-led projects are powerful reminders of what happens when young people are supported and inspired to act. If you feel motivated by these stories, you can be part of this global movement.
Find your local Roots & Shoots office and take action today—by joining a group or starting your own. Together, we can build a more compassionate and sustainable world.
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