Thank you Partners and Sponsors for a Successful Summit!

Catch the HIGHLIGHTS Here

Tickets Registered for Summit Activities

INCREDIBLE Workshops, Discussions & Activities!

Networking Connections Made

OUTSTANDING Speakers and Performances

What youth said

Knowledge & Skill Development

Community Engagement Skill Development 71% 71%
Youth Leadership Skill Development 57% 57%
Youth Workforce Opportunities 48% 48%
Increased confidence of youth in leadership skills 79% 79%
Gained valuable knowledge 79% 79%

%

Said they were likely or very likely to use the skills they learned.

%

Youth felt engaged

74%

of youth reported gaining new connections from the Summit ranging from 5-12 new connections per attendee.

84%

of youth reported they felt empowered to advocate for positive change in their community!

%

Youth made connections that inspired them to be change makers!

Perspective & Understanding

Developed a Change in Perspective 82% 82%
Felt Summit Activities were Excellent! 81% 81%
The Summit significantly impacted their knowledge, perspective and skills in Change Making and Youth Entrepreneurship 54% 54%
Increased understanding of the role of youth in the workforce 46% 46%
Increased Awareness of Youth Workforce Opportunities 48% 48%

I will use these skills to achieve my goals and inspire others!

I will use these skills to help me learn to communicate with others.

I will use these skills to develop my own enterprise!

I will use these skills in my books!

Our Mission

Summit Partners the Rural Ontario Institute and United Way Hastings and Prince Edward believe in the power of collaboration!

Through our combined efforts we amplified the voices of youth providing them with a platform to catalyze positive change, innovate, belong and lead.

Young leaders gathered together Makes an Impact

During the Summit Rural Change Makers and youth from Hastings & Prince Edward County engaged with youth from across Ontario in a diverse and inspiring setting of discovery, learning, sharing and collaboration. They heard from inspirational speakers, indulged in a meal together, engaged in breakout discussions, participated in rural development workshops, discovered youth entrepreneurship and networked through a trade show showcasing innovative ideas, projects and resources.

Discover Young Leaders

You Made Real Change In Someone’s Life

Our sincere thanks for your belief and investment in the emerging leaders of tomorrow! Together, we ensured the success and impact of the summit, leaving a lasting legacy of inspiration and empowerment.

The Main Event

The Rural Ontario Youth Summit brought together young leaders from various regions and backgrounds to:

Inspire the next generation of leaders
Catalyze invaluable leadership and life skills and
Mobilize youth innovation and creation of actionable solutions for our communities.

Opening Ceremonies

Welcomed incredible speakers and performances that kicked the day off with a bang!

David Maracle

Tehanenia’kwe:tarons | Cutter of Stone | Bear Clan,Mohawks of the Bay Of Quinte

World renowned sculptor and International award winning multi-instrumentalist, musician/composer and producer.

David R. Maracle, Tehanenia’kwè:tarons (Cutter of the Stone) has been crafting his artistry since 1985, from his home community of Kenhtè:ke Kanyen’kehá:ka-Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory. He brings to life the ancestral teachings of the Haudenosaunee People’s way of life through his magnificent stone sculptures and musical compilations.

David has released over 17 musical compilations during his multi-faceted career. He has received two Gold Records from the Recording Industry Association of America, (RIAA) for his world fusion ambient melodies and accolades include numerous Canadian Indigenous Music Awards. David has had the fortune of performing his ambient music all over the world; Austria, Holland, Pakistan, the 2000 Olympics in Australia, and before the Queen in Parliament. David recently had the Honour to perform virtually from the Empire Theatre for the 50th JUNO AWARDS for the opening and closing ceremonies for the Indigenous Juno Nominee awards segment.

Elia Saikaly

Social Entrepreneur | Award-Winning Filmmaker | Global Adventurer | High-Altitude Mountaineer

Award-winning adventure filmmaker and high-altitude mountaineer.

Elia Saikaly’s global adventures inspire others to find their most meaningful life and spark positive change. Having reached the summit of Mount Everest five times (a Canadian record), scaled the world’s second tallest peak, and completed over 25 world-class expeditions, Saikaly has proven he has the determination, stamina, skill, resourcefulness, and vision required to meet the greatest of challenges, and shows audiences how to do the same.

As a storyteller and mountaineer, Saikaly survived and documented the 2014, 2015, and 2019 disasters on the world’s tallest peak. His Everest imagery is regularly licensed by networks including National Geographic, Discovery, ESPN, Netflix, BBC, and many more. He also produced the reality television series, Everest: On the Top, which garnered him a CINE Golden Eagle Award, and won a Canadian Screen Award for his work with Rogers Sportsnet on the documentary, Limitless. In 2016, Saikaly co-created and co-starred in Discovery Channel’s Unclimbed: Reaching the Summit.