Youth Connect - Carrying Responsibility: My Journey as a Young Councillor May 21,2026

Title: Carrying Responsibility: My Journey as a Young Councillor Description: Ever wondered what it’s like to be elected to Council in your twenties? In this session, Denise shares her journey as a young Councillor, learning through experience and carrying responsibility for decisions that impact her community. This discussion explores the realities of stepping into leadership at a young age, the importance of aligning decisions with long-term community priorities, and how young people can play a meaningful role in building strong, self-determined communities. Speaker: Denise Boyer-Payette Denise Boyer-PayetteDenise Boyer-Payette is a Michi Saagiig Anishinaabe-kwe from Mississauga First Nation, ON, where she serves in her second term as an elected Councillor, first elected in 2020. Stepping into leadership at a young age, Denise has been actively involved in community governance, planning, and decision-making. She holds a BA (Hons) in Communication Studies with a minor in Indigenous Studies from Laurentian University, and a Graduate Certificate in Public Relations from Cambrian College. She currently works as a Program Officer at Cando, supporting Indigenous communities through economic development initiatives and capacity-building. Denise is passionate about creating space for young people to lead and supporting communities to shape their own futures.