Right now, I’m in Ottawa at the Unite and Ignite Conference for youth. I’m learning tons and meeting all kinds of people from all across Canada.
On Thursday night, I was honoured to be the kick-off keynote speaker. What I talked about was a pretty simple concept that a lot of adults don’t seem to get.
My message came from the theme of the movie, “Pay It Forward”
Here’s the scene I showed:
Now, like I said, I am in Ottawa and in fact was at Parliament yesterday. The day that we found out we’re going to have another election.
There are a lot of important ideas that will be talked about and maybe even decided in this election.
What I am going to do, and what I am asking you to do is this: Find an idea you are passionate about, then, put it into action – AND – talk to every candidate in your area to see what they will do about your idea if elected.
Shannen’s Dream is an idea I am passionate about. I have already talked with two of our candidates, Rob Nicholson and Bev Hodgson. I can also tell you that I will be speaking with them both a lot more as well as the other candidates.
Education is a right – and my friends in Attawapiskat and many other reserves are being denied their rights to the same rights that I have. That’s not fair. And it’s not right.
I can’t vote yet, but that doesn’t mean that Rob and Bev (and the other people I haven’t met yet) won’t listen. They know that kids my age are the future and what I’m learning this week is: They are making decisions today that will affect me when I can vote.
My friends and I are becoming educatedon these things – more than my parents or grandparents were at my age. We are connected and we have a voice.
My challenge to you: It doesn’t matter if your a kid, an adult or a senior. You have a voice. Use it.
Dexterity Check! (That’s for my Unite and Ignite Peeps)
