Sask advocate participating in United Nations session in NYC

Growing up in the small city of Melfort, Syndel Thomas Kozar never thought she would have the chance to see the world. Through her community work and advocacy, that’s about to change.

“From being a first-generation University student, only seven years removed as someone who didn’t know if they’d continue being in the world, to going to the United Nations – I am super shocked and humbled,” said Thomas Kozar.

This March, Thomas Kozar will be part of a delegation of six youth travelling to New York City to attend the annual United Nations (UN) Commission on the Status of Women (CSW).

Thomas Kozar is a member of One Arrow First Nation, and a fourth year University of Saskatchewan (USask) student convocation this spring with a Bachelor of Arts double honours in Indigenous Studies, and Women’s and Gender Studies. She was chosen by the Young Diplomats of Canada to attend the annual CSW session at the New York City headquarters from March 9-19. The process of which happened quite rapidly.

“A coworker in my internship last summer suggested I apply. When I looked it up, it was due the next day. So I got to it really quick, and now here I am,” said Thomas Kozar.

The CSW at the UN Headquarters is the principal global intergovernmental body exclusively dedicated to promoting gender equality and women’s empowerment. Representatives meet annually to evaluate progress, set global standards, and formulate policies on gender equality.

Thomas Kozar, and the other five young leaders from across the country in the delegation, would meet online regularly to discuss their priorities, conversations they want to be part of at the UN, and what they want to bring back home, said Thomas Kozar.

They decided to focus on Bill C-16, the ‘Protecting Victims Act’, which aims to strengthen the Criminal Code against gender based violence and protect children. It seeks to criminalize coercive control, treat certain intimate partner violence and femicide as first-degree murder, and regulate non-consensual deepfake images.

“We want to make sure that when something like this is passed, we can give recommendations through policy briefs to government forums,” said Thomas Kozar, who is serving as the delegation’s Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Coordinator.

Thomas Kozar said their recommendations will include building one-stop crisis centres for gender-based violence survivors, creating specialized gender-based violence courts, pursuing better data collection to expose systemic disparities, and establishing long-term support systems for Indigenous-led community responses.

“One of the other things we will be doing is translating our policy briefs to something more digestible for youth and marginalized communities who might not have the same breadth of understanding. So my priority is making sure the communities we’re talking about understand what we’re talking about.”

While Thomas Kozar said this delegation is her greatest opportunity to date in advocating for youth and women on an international level, it is far from her first time leading an advocacy group.

Thomas Kozar’s long list of leadership roles include: council member on Two Spirits in Motion; advisory member on Indigenous Identities Verification Process Advisory Committee; youth advisory council member on the Saskatchewan Council for International Cooperation; and Director of the Organization of Saskatchewan Arts Councils.

She has also founded Crafting Kinship, a program that provides youth around Canada the opportunity to participate in culturally-focused arts. In the barrier-free program, art kits are mailed at no cost to participants. Online and in-person workshops then teach young people to explore their artistic side through culture.

“Connecting with culture is sometimes seen as a privilege and it shouldn’t be. It should be available to anyone because culture is healing.”

“I always say, art is a vessel and a language to have conversations.”

Crafting Kinship has done workshops around beading, moccasin making, and creating rattles. Thomas Kozar said they have participants from coast to coast in Canada.

“I want young people to gain the confidence to go into more cultural art spaces, and go into community. It’s about getting those people who wouldn’t otherwise get support, and empower them to continue their healing journey through culture.”

Thomas Kozar herself has embarked on a healing journey, centred on culture and community connection. Raised by residential school survivor grandparents, Thomas Kozar struggled with mental health and addiction issues in her youth. She is now seven years sober, and credits finding purpose through activism.

“When I got sober, it really centred my priorities. And that meant serving my community and giving back,” said Thomas Kozar. “That’s what I was taught. My papa let me skip school every second Thursday to go work with him at the food bank. I guess I have that drive to see change.”

Now, with a stacked resume and an invitation to New York to attend a major United Nations gathering, Thomas Kozar’s advocacy work is likely just beginning.

“I feel like this (trip to NYC) is putting me in a great position for future opportunities,” said Thomas Kozar. “I just feel humbled to be representing young people and work alongside such strong leaders.”