More than 20 years ago, the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, or UNPFII, held its annual meeting with a focus on youth, and educating and nurturing them. This year, the forum’s 24th gathering, the emphasis was again on youth — but this time on listening to them.

Meet seven of the young leaders who spoke at this year’s forum.

Name: Michael Severin Bro

Age: 32

Peoples: Inuit

Home: Ilulissat, a small town on the western coast of Greenland. His family calls him Mikaali.

What he wants people to know: Bro believes Indigenous and LGBTQ+ communities are especially vulnerable in Greenland.

“We have been struggling within society, and we need to be included in decision-making,” he said. “I refer to myself as Sipineq, which is our word in Inuit language defining everything about queerness, or all letters of the LGBTQIA+.”

Advocating for both issues is complicated. “It’s like wearing two hats,” he said.

More: As climate change warms the Arctic four times faster than global temperatures, Bro said that Greenland’s Inuit are facing difficulties in seal hunting.

Name: Gervais NdIhokubwayo

Age: 30

Peoples: Batwa

Home: Bujumbura, Burundi

What he wants people to know: Batwa children need more support for their education, including infrastructure and school supplies.

The Batwa are one of the oldest Indigenous cultures in Africa. In Burundi, they receive little support from the government. The Batwa in Uganda experience health disparities due to climate change.

More: The focus on youth at this year’s forum was exciting.

“Compared to last year, there’s a noticeable advancement in prioritizing youth perspectives, fostering collaboration, and advocating for Indigenous rights on a global scale,” he said.

Read the full article about Indigenous youth voices by Taylar Dawn Stagner at Grist.