Melina Mewapun Laboucan Massimo

Indigenous Rights - Canada (North America)

Melina Laboucan-Massimo realised that her interest in indigenous affairs could make a difference when she became the first Aboriginal representative on the City of Edmonton Youth Council. She is currently involved with TakingITGlobal, an international network of youths empowered by technology who collaborate on projects addressing global problems. Aboriginal peoples are amongst the most disadvantaged groups in Canada, with communities marked by poorer health, lower levels of education and higher rates of unemployment than the non-Aboriginal population.

"Many youths do not have adequate support from their families," she says. "Disintegration of the family has happened in many Aboriginal communities due to alcoholism, substance abuse, neglect or physical and mental abuse".

Melina plans to develop programs allowing Aboriginal youths to develop skills in using information communication technologies. "Now and in the future, IT will be used as a tool for social empowerment," she says. She hopes that by getting Aboriginal youths connected, they too will feel empowered.