MIPSA’s IPahayag Discussion Delves into Indigenous Youth Empowerment

 

By Randy Adriane Martin

In line with the celebration of Indigenous Peoples (IP) Month, the MSU-IIT Indigenous People Student Advocates (MIPSA) fronted “IPahayag: A Panel Discussion” on Saturday, October 19, to foster IP visibility and empowerment through a roundtable discussion highlighting the vital role of IP youth in leadership.

The roundtable assembled a panel of experts and advocates in the field, including Asst. Prof. Phyllis Marie Teanco, Director of the Office of Student Development Services (OSDS); Dave Andrei Garbanzos, a KASAMA senator and chairperson of the Culture and Arts Committee; John Dexter Callao, a pioneer of IP youth leadership at MSU-IIT; and Jhon Dave Manos, the president and co-founder of MIPSA.

Emphasizing the need for IP youth to take up space in leadership, the panelists acknowledged challenges such as stereotyping, geographical isolation, and economic barriers, all of which make education less accessible to IP youth.

Pres. Manos expressed that “spaces are power,” stressing that providing IP youth with opportunities in educational institutions like MSU-IIT is key to empowering them to take part in decision-making. “To give someone space […] allows a certain demographic to have a voice and […] representation,” he remarked.

Drawing inspiration from his grandmother’s wise words, he underscored the importance of education, asserting that it is the youth who will continue the fight against IP marginalization and discrimination as education will serve as their weapon to better convey the plight of the IP community.

 

A key segment of the discussion focused on the role of technology in bridging gaps and enhancing opportunities for IPs. The panelists spoke about how technology can uplift indigenous communities, particularly in areas like farming innovations, while reminding attendees to be culturally sensitive.

When asked about their vision for IP youth leadership, Pres. Manos envisioned a future where IP youth leaders remain true to their communal values, giving back to their communities and leading with service and dedication.

At the end of the session, Bae Wilma Wade Bado, a tribal leader of Brgy. Upper Hinaplanon, expressed her gratitude to MIPSA for providing a platform to uplift IPs. At the same time, she also suggested that MIPSA conduct review classes for IP students, especially with the upcoming MSU System Admission and Scholarship Examination (SASE), noting the difficulties that IPs face in accessing education.

In response to the suggestion, Pres. Manos revealed Project Buliga, an initiative aimed at providing review classes for IP communities in Iligan City, set to launch this November in collaboration with various offices of MSU-IIT. This initiative showcases MIPSA’s ongoing commitment to empowering and providing opportunities for the IP community.