WE Day Toronto 2018

Imagine spending a day with 17,000 young people committed to making change in their schools, communities, country and the world. Add a slate of inspiring speakers and musical performances, and you have WE Day Toronto 2018!
We were again a small group, of 1 Guider, 1 Ranger and 1 Pathfinder, but we still had a great time! We caught the 7:30am GO Train from Aldershot Station and made it to Toronto by 8:30am, ready for the short walk to the Scotiabank Arena. Once inside we made our way  to our section on the first level and settled in. There were so many speakers and performances, that I know I've missed a few, but here are our memories of the day:

The DJs for the day were the Celebrity Marauders - and they kept everyone energized throughout the day. This year's Hosts were Ally Brooke, with Millie Davis and Tai Young.

The first speaker of the day was Anne Curry, an award-winning journalist and photojournalist who has covered the news from war zones and natural disasters in places including Syria, the Central African Republic, Darfur, Pakistan and Iraq. She shared how she has overcome challenges, and shared the words of holocaust survivor Elie Wiesel,  

"I learned that suffering confers no privilege. It's what we do with it. And what we do with our suffering is to prevent further suffering. And that's the moral message...not to stand by."

She was followed by Spencer West and Riya Karumanchi, the 15-year-old inventor of the Smart Cane, a cane for the visually impaired that combines GPS and computer vision technology to detect and describe objects. Read more about the Smart Cane.

We then learned more about WE's new initiative, WE Well-being. This initiative focuses on creating safe, inclusive, supportive environments; reducing the stigma surrounding mental health and mental illness; and empowering youth with resiliency the skills they need to maintain good mental wellness. Afterwards, we heard from Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Nick Robinson (the broadcast host), and a performance by Why Don't We. Next, Jacob Tremblay spoke, and we heard about the WE Rise Up Initiative that is spreading positivity online.  Lilly Singh promoted her Girl Love Initiative - "Instead of competing against each other, stand together!"

We then had Miss Piggy's first appearance of the day, followed by Olivia Holt, a singer and actress, who told us "change doesn't need to be big, it just needs to start". 

Adam McMaster then shared his experiences transitioning from female to male, further stating that "sometimes it feels like the world is trying to tear you down - don't let it!" We then heard from Mariatu Kamara, a survivor of the Sierra Leone civil war, who lost both her hands. She now shares her story and advocates for forgiveness and moving forward, taking moments of hardship and building resilience from them. The next speaker was Governor Samuel Tunai, from Narok County in Kenya. He spoke about the impact WE has had in his county, sending young people to school, supplying clean water, and providing health care for mothers. 

Marc and Craig Kielburger spoke, emphasizing the theme of the day - Get Doing! - and telling the crowd that change is "up to you!". The Arkells then performed two songs, "Relentless" and "Knocking at the Door". They were followed by Johnny Orlando with "What If I Told You I Loved You". The next speakers were Delaney Todd and Adam Amonte, the co-founders of March for Our Lives. The organization was founded after the mass shooting at Margory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida to advocate for an end to gun violence. The founders encouraged everyone present to "know your rights, get involved and make your opinions heard!"

They were followed by Mustafa the Poet, a YouTube star, and Cerenna-Tee Racey. Cerenna is a Grade 11 student at the W. Ross Macdonald School for the Blind who is deaf-blind. She worked with artists to create the "Transformed Through Touch" art exhibit that guides viewers through seven rooms designed to share her experiences. Take a walk-through of the exhibit on YouTube. She was followed by Devery Jacobs, an indigenous actress and filmmaker and Margaret Trudeau, who spoke about the work being done by WaterAid Canada. She spoke about how one baby dies every minute from dirty water and how having access to clean water and sanitation can completely change a village. 

They were followed by singer Jessie Reyez and Johnny Orlando, who spoke about how social media is great for connecting and communicating, but shaming and bullying has to stop. Apefa Adjivon then spoke about women's rights and the Pearl Project, which connects girls with mentors in their chosen field to show girls that they can do anything!

Michael "Pinball" Clemens, a former CFL player, spoke next saying, "do not just be inspired today - take action. Become the nicest person you know". The final speaker of the day was Adam Devine, a comedian known for his appearances on "Modern Family" and in the movie "Pitch Perfect". We left before the final musical performance in order to catch our train back to Aldershot. It was a long day, but lots of fun and a great experience.

WE Day Toronto 2017

Imagine spending a day with nearly 20,000 young people committed to making change in their schools, communities, country and the world. Add a slate of inspiring speakers, musical performances, a surprise appearance by Prince Harry and you have WE Day Toronto 2017!

Unfortunately, none of the Pathfinders were able to join us for the day, but our small group of 2 Guiders and 1 Ranger still had a great time! We caught the 6.50am GO Train from Aldershot Station and made it to Toronto by 8am, ready for the short walk to the Air Canada Centre, once inside we made our way upstairs to our section and settled in. There were so many speakers and performances, that I know I've missed a few, but here are my memories of the day:

The first performance of the day was by Vanessa Hudgens and Shawn Hook, with "Reminding Me", followed by a welcome from Craig and Marc Kielburger. The first speaker was Gaten Matarazzo from "Stranger Things", spreading awareness for cleidocranial dysplasia, a congenital disorder that affects one in a million people. Jacob Tremblay and Millie Davis, co-stars in the upcoming movie "Wonder", urged us to "Choose kind. On the playground, in your classrooms, in your neighbourhoods".


Bailee Madison ("The Good Witch") introduced us two students who are working for change, something she would repeat thoughout the day. Sofia Carson ("Descendents") encouraged girls to be bold and fearless, saying "Books and pens are our greatest weapons, and girls, we are our own knights in shining armour."

Shawn Hook performed again, then Lisa Charleyboy spoke about reconnecting with her indigenous heritage and finding her passion in an unexpected way. Beginning in the world of runway fashion, moving to print media, and eventually creating a magazine showcasing indigenous design.

Spencer West interviewed Olympians Penny Oleksiak and Andre De Grasse about their role as Ambasasdors, not only for sport but for youth engagement and making a positive difference in the world. Watch Three Stools With Spencer West at WE Day.

George Takei ("Star Trek") spoke about his time in a Japanese Internment Camp as a child during World War II and the hope that youth represent for the future. He ended with "Today I see our future built by all of you. Boldly go where no one has gone before!" Watch George Takei at WE Day.

Lilly Singh spoke on the need to end girl-on-girl hate, challenging girls to build each other up instead of tearing each other down #GirlLove. She also launched her new #GirlLove Rafiki project to provide education to girls in Kenya! Watch Lilly Singh at WE Day.

Kelly Clarkson performed "Stronger" (with full crowd accompaniment!) and her new single "Love So Soft".

Hedley performed as well, then Mike Downie spoke about reconciliation and updated everyone on the work of the Downie-Wenjack Fund since its launch a year ago. Watch Mike Downie at WE Day. Rick Hanson spoke about perseverance and believing in yourself, and then there was a surprise speaker...

... who was no less than HRH Prince Harry, who is in Toronto for the 3rd Invictus Games! I think he received the loudest response of the day. Prince Harry spoke about the Invictus Games and the spirit of hope, challenging all of us to "say yes to optimism, yes to hope and yes to belief". He also spoke to our social media-obsessed culture saying "You all know that it's great to 'like' things on social media, but that it's more important to look up from our phones, to get out into our communities, and to take real action; to stand up for what you believe in!"

Ban Ki-Moon, former Secretary-General of the United Nations spoke on climate change, the Paris Climiate Agreement, and the need for people from around the world to work together - "We are truly all in this together." Watch Ban Ki-Moon at WE Day.

Alexandre Trudeau spoke about his world travels, his adventures, and the need for kindness and understanding. Watch Alexandre Trudeau at WE Day. Then Theland Kicknosway spoke about Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and performed a Hoop Dance

Sabrina Carpenter performed, followed by the final speaker of the day, Mia Farrow, who spoke about finding happiness by helping others and focusing on an issue that matters to you to start making change. Watch Mia Farrow at WE Day.  The closing performance was also by Sabrina Carpenter, with her song "Thumbs", and then it was time to head home, inspired to make change at home and around the world!

For those of you who couldn't be there, watch the WE Day Toronto broadcast on CTV on November 25, 2017