Indigenous Advisory Circle

At One Young World, we are committed to partnering, engaging and supporting Indigenous and First Nations young leaders worldwide. We believe that meaningful change must be co-designed and led with, not for, Indigenous communities.

We are proud to introduce to you our Indigenous Advisory Circle Members for 2025/2026. The Indigenous Advisory Circle welcomes 26 remarkable Indigenous representatives selected for their insight, leadership and commitment to Indigenous rights and community-led impact.

A core part of our mission is listening to and amplifying Indigenous voices — young leaders whose expertise, lived experience and cultural knowledge are crucial to shaping a more equitable future.

Along with our new Indigenous Strategy 2025/26, which sets out our approach to deepening our engagement with Indigenous and First Nations young leaders and partners across the world, their guidance will shape how One Young World works with Indigenous communities worldwide, ensuring cultural awareness and respect, sustainability and real influence across our Summit, programmes and platforms.

Meet our Inaugural Members

Prince Ahumuza Ignatius

Prince Ahumuza Ignatius

Prince Ahumuza Ignatius

Ugandan changemaker Ignatius co-founded Agri Planet Africa, supporting 10,000+ farmers and 200 schools by blending Indigenous Banyoro farming knowledge with modern practices.

Alexis Rubiel Alfaro Jiménez

Alexis Rubiel Alfaro Jiménez

Alexis Rubiel Alfaro Jiménez

Alexis Alfaro collaborates with Ch'ieltik's, a civil society organisation that seeks through its intervention model “Fortaleciendo Jóvenes” cultivate the skills of the Mayan youth of Chiapas, Mexico, so that young people develop the necessary tools to play an active role in the transformation of their lives and communities, preserving their cultural richness.

Diwigdi Rodrigo Valiente Abrego

Diwigdi Rodrigo Valiente Abrego

Diwigdi Rodrigo Valiente Abrego

Indigenous Guna leader from Panama driving climate action, founding Burwigan Project, advancing sustainable tourism, and amplifying Indigenous voices globally.

Lisa Rapley

Lisa Rapley

Lisa Rapley

Social entrepreneur Lisa Rapley empowers Indigenous youth through systems thinking, co-design and cultural initiatives, co-founding Yuludarla Karulbo.

Noor Azizah

Noor Azizah

Noor Azizah

Award-winning Rohingya advocate, educator and genocide survivor leading refugee-led human rights work, focused on empowering Rohingya women globally.

Vanessa Turnbull-Roberts

Vanessa Turnbull-Roberts

Vanessa Turnbull-Roberts

Bundjalung lawyer and activist advocating for Indigenous children’s rights, using lived experience to reform child protection and empower First Nations voices globally.

Kananish McKenzie

Kananish McKenzie

Kananish McKenzie

Kananish is a young Indigenous woman from the Innu Nation of Matimekush Lac-John, located in northern Quebec. She was elected as a spokesperson for the Youth Network of First Nations of Quebec and Labrador in 2023 and is actively involved in various councils and organisations.

Martha Lidia Oxí Chuy

Martha Lidia Oxí Chuy

Martha Lidia Oxí Chuy

The MAIA Impact School, of which Vilma Saloj is Director, and Martha Lidia is Co-Executive Director,

Meet our 2025/26 Indigenous Advisory Circle Members

Alexandra Biron

Alexandra Biron

Alexandra Biron

Alexandra is an experienced professional with a demonstrated history of working in the corporate and non-profit sectors.

Anna Mae Yu Lamentillo

Anna Mae Yu Lamentillo

Anna Mae Yu Lamentillo

Anna Mae Yu Lamentillo is the founder of NightOwl AI, a mission-driven company using artificial intelligence to preserve endangered languages and fight digital exclusion.

Belyndar M. Rikimani - Sina

Belyndar M. Rikimani - Sina

Belyndar M. Rikimani - Sina

Belyndar Maonia Rikimani holds a Bachelor of Law and a Professional Diploma in Legal Practice from the University of the South Pacific.

Benson Saulo

Benson Saulo

Benson Saulo

Benson Saulo is a respected national leader whose career spans diplomacy, Indigenous economic development, social impact and public engagement.

Brayden Sonny White

Brayden Sonny White

Brayden Sonny White

Community leader from Akwesasne with 10+ years in youth, environmental & Indigenous advocacy, working to embed Indigenous perspectives in policy.

Emma Oliver

Emma Oliver

Emma Oliver

Emma Oliver is a dedicated environmental conservationist from Papua New Guinea with over a decade of experience working with Indigenous communities.

Isaiah Bernard

Isaiah Bernard

Isaiah Bernard

Isaiah Bernard is an elected leader of Potlotek First Nation, a proud Mi’kmaw community in Unama’ki (Cape Breton).

Jennifer Jerome

Jennifer Jerome

Jennifer Jerome

Jennifer Jerome is a Mi’kmaq First Nation professional from Gesgapegiag, Quebec, Canada, and a Principal Advisor in Cultural Competence at Rio Tinto.

Joleen Ngoriakl

Joleen Ngoriakl

Joleen Ngoriakl

Palauan leader Joleen Ngoriakl advances digital safety, inclusion, and Indigenous rights, founding a national initiative and advising global organisations on policy.

Lance Copegog

Lance Copegog

Lance Copegog

Lance Copegog is a proud Anishinaabe from Chimnissing (Beausoleil First Nation), Ontario, and a leading Indigenous youth advocate for mental health, governance, and the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

Larissa Crawford

Larissa Crawford

Larissa Crawford

Larissa Crawford is a Métis and Jamaican researcher, policy advisor, and climate justice and anti-racism advocate with over 16 years of experience.

Maricelma Fialho

Maricelma Fialho

Maricelma Fialho

Maricelma Fialho, an Indigenous Terena woman from Bananal Village in Brazil’s Pantanal biome

Bugembe Nelson

Bugembe Nelson

Bugembe Nelson

Nelson Bugembe is a visionary youth leader and disability inclusion advocate

Robert Mills-Lamptey

Robert Mills-Lamptey

Robert Mills-Lamptey

Robert Mills-Lamptey is a social impact leader dedicated to youth empowerment, climate action, and grassroots development in underserved Indigenous communities.

Winnie Kiap CBE

Winnie Kiap CBE

Winnie Kiap CBE

Winnie Kiap CBE recently served as High Commissioner of Papua New Guinea to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland from 2011 to 2022.

Yodhikson Marvelous Bang

Yodhikson Marvelous Bang

Yodhikson Marvelous Bang

Yodhikson M. “Dicky” Bang, from the Matulelang Tribal group in Alor Island

Zahra Al Hilaly

Zahra Al Hilaly

Zahra Al Hilaly

Zahra Al Hilaly is a human rights defender and proud Indigenous Palestinian dedicated to advancing gender equality in culturally diverse communities.

Venancio Coñuepan Mesias

Venancio Coñuepan Mesias

Venancio Coñuepan Mesias

Venancio Coñuepan Mesías is a Mapuche lawyer, Indigenous leader, and social entrepreneur from La Araucanía, Chile, and part of the historic Coñuepan family known for defending Indigenous rights since the 19th century.