On Friday, Feb. 27, LRSD students from Windsor Park Collegiate, Nelson McIntyre Collegiate, Glenlawn Collegiate, College Beliveau, Dakota Collegiate — accompanied by LRSD Teachers Rose Bird and Judy Saunders McKay — had the opportunity to attend the first ever OneManitoba Youth Summit at the RBC Convention Centre.
With over 250 youth in attendance from across the province, the summit provided a platform for youth to engage in discussions about safety, health, creativity, and community wellbeing, while engaging and communicating with community leaders and government officials.
Furthermore, our students had the chance to participate in interactive workshops, listen to keynote speakers, and visit resource booths hosted by various community organizations. Most notably, youth got to listen to the Honourable Wab Kinew, Premier of Manitoba, speak about the importance of standing up for each other. His message of "learning to walk your own path matters" hits at a very important time in young people’s lives, as students begin to shape their own understandings of the world around them.
The summit’s message of empowerment and resilience was reinforced by guest speaker Jeremy Laquette, who shared his personal journey of overcoming challenges, as well as Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Manitoba, the Honourable Matt Wiebe. Together, they emphasized the importance of using one’s voice to create positive change, stand up for others, and contribute to a stronger, more inclusive community. These messages hit home with many, as youth across the continent and the globe deal with efforts to silence their voices.
The summit represented more than just a checkbox being ticked; instead, it showed the commitment from Manitoba to listen to their youth, to help them find their voice, and to empower the next generation of Manitoba's leaders. While young people in many parts of the world are facing pushback from their leaders, Manitoban youth are encouraged to find their voice and supported in using it to create a positive impact that can change the world.
Participation in the event showcases Louis Riel School Division's Multi-Year Strategic Plan, Strategic Action 3.2: Student Voice & Agency. LRSD Students got the opportunity to share their ideas, engage in meaningful dialogue with provincial leaders, and practice leadership skills, reinforcing the division’s commitment to fostering student voice and empowering youth to shape their community environments.
— Yuvi Singh, student
