Last month, PACE Toronto 2025 transformed the STACKT Market into a vibrant space for students to lead, reclaim space, and celebrate culture, while also acknowledging the often-unspoken history of Treaty 13 and the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation as the original caretakers of this land.
This special event showcased the creative talents and entrepreneurial spirit of students from across the GTA through immersive art installations, fashion design, music, and storytelling. The event began with a powerful land acknowledgment delivered by Tobie Loukes that set the tone, grounding the celebration in respect for the land, the ancestors, and the eight fish species that have been lost from local ecosystems—an emotional reminder of the deep ties between culture, history, and the environment. Students from Kapapamahchakwew led the fashion showcase for Humber CI (In Bloom), CTA, CTS, ESA and LP.
Students collaborated with community mentors, Indigenous elders, and creative professionals to design a vibrant, multi-sensory experience. From the Art & Design Market, where students showcased businesses that fused traditional teachings with modern design, to the Fashion Runway that transformed cultural storytelling into wearable art, every element of PACE Toronto 2025 reflected a spirit of reclamation and resilience. Music and performances infused the space with energy and pride, while the outdoor festival and public art pieces invited participation and dialogue.
The event was a testament to the vision, talent, and leadership of youth—each piece, performance, and interaction offering a glimpse into stories of past, present, and future. Though organizing such an event presented challenges, including logistical hurdles and navigating the weight of history, the result was a celebration that honored the land and community while envisioning a future rooted in respect, collaboration, and hope.
PACE was created by a hands-on dedicated Volunteer Event Board with visionary leadership by TDSB educators Rebecca DiLeo, Kevin D’Souza, Ursula McDonnell, Tobie Loukes, Patricia Ditillio, Alex Stamp and Annabel Flemming along with Trustee Deborah Williams, industry mentors Francine Mbvoumbo and Kyle Kofsky.
Thank you to the TDSB task force, the educators and administrators, the industry mentors, and of course all of the students and their families for making this inaugural PACE Festival a monumental success.
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