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Indigenous people continue to face discrimination and hardships all over the Asia Pacific region. For the youth, the struggles are often more specific. They tend to feel caught between two worlds. The traditional ways they’ve been brought up, with a distinct language and culture, and then the modern world and the language that everyone else is speaking. Fitting in is always a struggle that young people face, but it is even more difficult for these indigenous youth caught between two cultures.
Indigenous youth also tend to dwell in smaller communities with their people and have less resources and opportunities than their peers. This can be frustrating and may promote a sense of isolation. Many struggle to find their identity as an indigenous person, while at the same time, longing to be part of the larger world outside. Suicide is a big problem among the youth of indigenous peoples. That’s why it is important for there to be services and counselors available for them to go to in order to talk about their problems. Even though there are more opportunities for indigenous youth, leadership must realize that they have a long way to go for equality.
