"To have an iconic artist such as Gord Downie take a personal interest in the plight of the former Indian residential school students and in the healing process of our communities is truly remarkable," North Wilson said. While visiting with Wenjack's family this week, he was accompanied by leaders of the Nishnawbe Aski Nation, Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak Grand Chief Sheila North Wilson and Ry Moran, the director for the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation. "Things up north have never been harder," Downie said from Ogoki. News of this project comes after Downie issued a call to action on Indigenous issues during the Tragically Hip's nationally televised concert in Kingston, Ont. 'Never been harder'ĭownie went public with his diagnosis of terminal brain cancer in May. Proceeds from Secret Path will go to the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation at the University of Manitoba. 18, it'll be accompanied by an 88-page graphic novel illustrated by award-winning author Jeff Lemire. An animated film inspired by Downie's music and Lemire's illustrations will be broadcast on CBC Television on Sunday, Oct. Secret Path began as 10 poems written by Downie, recorded as songs in November and December 2013. When it's released on Oct. But poor record keeping means the number could be as high as 30,000, according to Senator Murray Sinclair who headed the commission. The Truth and Reconciliation Commission found 3,200 recorded deaths of children, like Wenjack, who died while attending residential schools in Canada. "The next hundred years are going to be painful as we come to know Chanie Wenjack and the thousands like him - as we find out about ourselves, about all of us - but only when we do, can we truly call ourselves 'Canada.'" "Canada is not Canada,' Downie said from Ogoki. They didn't know he was dead until a plane arrived near their home carrying his body.ĭownie said his brother, Mike, first made him aware of Wenjack's story by sharing a Maclean's article written by Ian Adams in 1967. Wenjack's parents were never told he had run away from the residential school. "We are grateful for Gord's efforts to shine much-needed light on this dark chapter of history and his humility, sincerity and artistry is matched only by his determination to tell the story of Charlie Wenjack and all youth from the residential school era, youth who never made it home," said Nishnawbe Aski Nation Grand Chief Alvin Fiddler. On Thursday, Downie visited the boy's family in Marten Falls First Nation, also known as Ogoki Post, about 400 kilometres northeast of Thunder Bay, Ont. The release of Secret Pathcoincides with the 50th anniversary of Wenjack's death. "We are not the country we thought we were. His story is Canada's story," Downie said. ![]() "I never knew Chanie, but I will always love him," Downie said in a statement on Friday, announcing plans to release the package in October.ĭownie is using his celebrity to draw attention to the legacy of residential schools and what he sees as the need for all Canadians to be involved in reconciliation. INTERACTIVE | Canadian stories behind the lyrics.Dying for an Education: The Story of Charlie Wenjack.Gord Downie's 'generous gift' boosts National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation. ![]() It's a story that so affected Tragically Hip lead singer Gord Downie, he created a solo album, a graphic novel and an animated film to honour Wenjack's memory and educate other Canadians about the tragedy. In 1966, Chanie (Charlie) Wenjack's body was found by the railway tracks near Kenora, Ont. A 12-year-old Ojibway boy who died from hunger and exposure after trying to find his way home from a residential school is the inspiration behind a new project from Gord Downie.
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