Stop Waiting to Be Ready

I was 15 when my mom dropped me in the deep end.

You walk into the UN. Young. Indigenous. No roadmap.
You sit in a room full of diplomats and power brokers.
And every voice in your head says: You don’t belong here.

That’s your first lesson.

You won’t feel ready. And you won’t have time to become ready.
You’ll have to lead before you feel legitimate.

The Quiet Phase

You’ll stay quiet at first.
Not out of fear. Out of strategy.

You’ll observe. Study. Track the room.
You’ll learn who speaks and who actually moves decisions.

You’ll second-guess yourself constantly.
You’ll ask, Why would anyone listen to me?
What do I bring to this table?

And while you’re doubting yourself?
You’ll be training. Harder than anyone else in the room.

No Budget. No Backup.

You’ll self-fund.
Friends and family won’t get it.
They’ll ask why you keep flying across the world for meetings no one sees.

You’ll get doors shut in your face.
You’ll hear “not this year” more than once.

And all of it will teach you the same thing:

Being underestimated is an asset.

The Moment Hits

Then one day, the room shifts.

You’ll be asked to lead. Not assist. Not support. Lead.

You’ll walk into negotiations where the decisions actually happen.
And someone will walk in—not to challenge you. To watch how you lead.

That’s your second lesson:

Influence comes from the way you move, not the titles you hold.

Build Like You Belong

When you speak, it won’t be loud. It’ll be precise.
When you listen, it won’t be passive. It’ll be tactical.

You’ll blend Indigenous values with sharp strategy.
And suddenly, the system will take notice.

You’ll stop trying to be included.
You’ll start designing what inclusion looks like.

The Takeaway

You don’t win in global diplomacy by being perfect.
You win by being present. Consistently.

You don’t need credentials to shape decisions.
You need clarity. Stamina. And a backbone made of kinship and fire.

So stop waiting to feel ready.

Walk in like you belong.
Because if you’re still reading this?

You already do.

See you next week!