OREANDA-NEWS. January 29, 2013. On January 24, Free the Children founder Craig Kielburger took to the stage with Luke Bilyk and Aislinn Paul from the television series DEGRASSI, and Lee Knafelc, Vice President of Human Resources and Administration for PotashCorp, to announce the line-up of world-renowned speakers and performers for We Day Saskatchewan.

Hundreds of enthusiastic students from across the region gathered at St. Joseph High School to learn who would be entertaining and inspiring up to 15,000 students and educators from more than 300 schools at Saskatchewan’s first-ever We Day.

We Day is a stadium-sized youth empowerment event where entertainers and speakers engage young people to be agents of local and global change. PotashCorp is a national sponsor of Free The Children and is bringing We Day to Saskatchewan.  The first We Day Saskatchewan will be held in Saskatoon on February 27, 2013.

“We Day proves to youth that a better world is possible and they are not alone in their commitment to social justice,” said founder of Free The Children Craig Kielburger. “It isn’t just a day, it’s a movement sweeping this nation. Last year alone, together, students across North America who committed to the We Act program raised 6 million dollars for local and global causes and volunteered 1.7 million hours of their time. This event has been brought to Saskatchewan by PotashCorp, with the support of other wonderful community companies and organizations. We Day is now a reality in Saskatchewan and I can’t wait to see how these young people take action!”

Headlining the youth event are JUNO and MMVA award-winning recording artists Hedley and Shawn Desman and legendary actor and activist Martin Sheen.

“As a long-time supporter of Free The Children, I’m excited to be a part of We Day Saskatchewan and help provide youth with the knowledge, support and confidence to become leaders in social change,” said Martin Sheen. “We need to send the youth of today a message that resonates and reiterates that one person can make the difference of a lifetime”.

The line-up of performers and speakers all share a common belief in the power of youth to make a difference, and will come together to address pressing world issues and ignite the students’ passion to be part of the solution. The line-up, with more to be revealed, includes:

Martin Sheen – Emmy and Golden Globe Award winning actor and activist
Hedley – Multi-platinum, JUNO and MMVA Award winning recording artists
Mia Farrow – Award winning actress and activist
Luke Bilyk and Aislinn Paul – Cast members from DEGRASSI
Shawn Desman – Platinum-selling and JUNO Award-winning recording artist
Karl Wolf – International recording artist, Socan & MTV Europe Music Award winner
Jake Zeldin – 13-year-old Toronto rapper who goes by “Lil JaXe”
A performance by ONE DROP, a Cirque du Soleil Founder’s initiative
Craig and Marc Kielburger – founders of Free The Children
Molly Burke – Me to We motivational speaker
Robin Wiszowaty – Author and Free The Children’s Kenya Program Director
Jesse Giddings – Recording artist, TV personality and host of We Day Saskatchewan

"The caliber of talent scheduled to appear at Saskatchewan's first We Day is exceptional," said Knafelc. "We’re proud to bring We Day to Saskatchewan’s youth and help inspire a new generation of leaders to 'Be The Change' here at home and around the world."