WE Day 2015

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Thousands of students shared their humanitarian spirit at WE Day 2015.

The event took place Nov. 16 at MTS Centre, featuring a full slate of inspirational speakers who have created positive change in the world.

Schools use WE Day to ignite school projects that benefit local and global causes such as hunger, education in developing countries and access to water projects.

Students can’t buy a ticket to WE Day—they earn their way to the event based on their ongoing humanitarian efforts at school and in the community.

Sisler High School student Shania Pruden was among the inspirational speakers for the day, with a line-up that included Free the Children founders Marc and Craig Keilburger, Spencer West, JR Martinez, Henry “The Fonz” Winkler, Kardinal Offishall and more.

Shania blogs about topics such as Aboriginal issues, homelessness and mental health.

Despite enduring poverty in her youth, she began volunteering at the age of 10 and discovered writing soon after.

“I realized that writing is such a powerful act,” Shania told the audience. “When we write about something, we can re-imagine it, take on a new perspective and see the world in a different light.”

In her blog and with life in general, Shania seeks positive solutions instead of focusing on negative voices.

“I was told many times I wouldn’t get far in life because I was Aboriginal and living in poverty, and for a long time I believed it,” she said. “But I realize now that the future is based on how I imagine it and by the choices I make.  I didn’t let the negative thoughts that people had stand in the way of me becoming me. I’m not ashamed of my past because it made me the person I am today.  I am proud of who I am and where I came from.”