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Menu
  • Home
  • About Us
    • Our Story
    • Our Team
    • Our Partners
    • Secret Path
    • Reconciliation Begins With You Video Series
    • FAQs
    • Careers
  • Programs
    • Legacy Schools Program
      • Refer an Educator
      • Artist Ambassador Workshop for Indigenous History Month
      • Legacy Schools Resources
      • Legacy School reconciliACTIONs
      • Register your School
      • Subscribe to Legacy Schools Newsletter
      • Update Educator Contact Information
    • Artist Ambassador Program
    • Youth Ambassador Program
      • Apply to Youth Ambassador Program
      • Youth Ambassador Advisory Committee
      • Youth Ambassador Highlights
    • Legacy Spaces Program
    • ReconciliACTIONs
    • Oshki Wupoowane | The Blanket Fund
  • Events
    • Events Calendar
    • ZIIGWAN
    • DWF Live
    • Indigenous History Month
      • 2022 Virtual Programming
      • 2022 National Indigenous Peoples Day
      • 2021 Virtual Programming
      • 2020 Virtual Programming
    • National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
      • 2022: Indigenous Perspectives on the Pope’s Apology
      • 2021: What this means for reconciliation in Canada
      • 2021: A Day for Truth and Reconciliation
    • A DAY TO LISTEN
      • 2022 A DAY TO LISTEN
      • A Day for Truth and Reconciliation
      • 2021 A DAY TO LISTEN
    • Secret Path Week
    • Walk for Wenjack
    • Secret Path Live
  • News & Publications
    • Blog
    • DWF In The News
    • 215 Pledge
    • Annual Report
    • Subscribe
  • Support Us
    • Case for Support
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    • Fundraising FAQ
  • Contact Us

A DAY TO LISTEN:

AMPLIFYING INDIGENOUS VOICES

In recognition of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on September 30th, the Gord Downie & Chanie Wenjack Fund (DWF) is proud to partner once again with major media outlets and radio stations throughout Canada on A DAY TO LISTEN 2022. Tune in Sept 30th, 6AM – 6PM local time.

The first A DAY TO LISTEN took place on June 30, 2021, following the public announcement that the remains of 215 children were buried at the site of the former Kamloops Residential School. With more than 540 radio stations participating, spanning different markets, regions, and formats, A DAY TO LISTEN leveraged the power of radio to inspire people throughout Canada to move reconciliation forward in meaningful ways. Programming was aired again on September 30, 2021, the inaugural National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.

This year, we are highlighting the voices and stories of Indigenous Peoples around the theme, ‘Messages of Hope’. This will centre on four areas:

  • Cultural Reclamation
  • Language Resurgence
  • Art Practice
  • Land-Based Learning Narratives

As we continue to move forward on the path toward reconciliation, we aim to inspire hope for future generations of Indigenous and non-Indigenous people.

Inspired by Chanie’s story and Gord’s call to build a better Canada, DWF aims to build cultural understanding and create a path toward reconciliation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples. Our goal is to improve the lives of Indigenous people by building awareness, education, and connections between all peoples throughout Canada.

Meet our Hosts Meet our Speakers & Artists All Participating Stations Mental Health Supports
Downie Wenjack Fund · A DAY TO LISTEN 2022

Meet our Hosts

Celeigh Cardinal

Celeigh Cardinal

JUNO Award winning Métis Singer/Songwriter
The Gord Downie & Chanie Wenjack Fund

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Discovery is the beauty of music. It reveals itself in layers. Such is the evolution of Celeigh Cardinal.  With a confident voice and boundless energy, Cardinal owns a stage, connecting deeply with her audience through humour, passion and love. In 2020, Cardinal achieved one of Canada’s highest musical accolades, a JUNO Award for Indigenous Artist of the Year. She also received two Western Canadian Music Awards nominations, including Indigenous Artist of the Year and Songwriter of the Year.  With two full-length albums completed and her third release in the works, Celeigh is quickly becoming one of the great Canadian voices that make up the fabric of this country’s roots music scene.

Celeigh Cardinal will host the afternoon show for A Day to Listen 2022. She is a Cree Metis singer/songwriter originally from Grande Prairie, Alberta but currently based in amiskwaciwâskahikan, also known as Edmonton.

In reflecting on what National Day for Truth and Reconciliation means to her, she says:

“My fathers family is Cree and they hail from northern Alberta. When they were children, my father and my aunts and uncles were separated and I was put into foster care. Just as my father wasn’t brought up with his culture, neither was I.  I have felt between two worlds for most of my life…navigating carefully, mediating as a default, and never feeling a full expression or even knowledge of who I am. However, through this journey, I’ve found music to be a tool that I can use to express myself. I’ve also learned that walking between two worlds can sometimes be a blessing, because I hope to be a bridge that can bring parts of these two worlds together. I’ve found that storytelling through music has been very healing for me. ‘Song by the Supermoon’ is about growing while still being grounded by your roots, and where you come from.”

This song appears on Celeigh’s Juno award-winning album Stories from a Downtown Apartment. Celeigh also references some songs from friends during this broadcast:

GR Gritt’s Ancestors

Digging Roots’ Cut My Hair 

Celeigh touches on cultural appreciation, over appropriation using a friend’s art & business as an example:

“A beautiful part of reconciliation is pretty simple – supporting Indigenous creatives and their stories, their businesses, and their art. l feel larger than life when I step on stage because of the outfit or the jewelry that I’m wearing. I could go on about Indigenous fashion for days – but I want you to recognize that your financial support of Indigenous creators can literally put food on their tables and help their families flourish. I want to share a little story about a high school friend of mine – Meghan Weeks. It’s been so inspiring to watch her create with traditional materials like deer hide and salmon skin, and she’s built a business out of this called MDW Jewelry. I love watching Indigenous people draw inspiration from the practices and traditions of their people. Like her website says: ‘My work reflects teachings from the matriarchs in my family, childhood memories, Cree humour and my continued healing journey to stop the cycle of intergenerational trauma.’” 

“I have a buffalo head ring made by her that I’ve worn in multiple music videos and photoshoots. Watch for it in the video below for When All is Said and Done.”

 

Celeigh will also talk about her cover of The Tragically Hip’s Ahead by a Century:

“The music video was a homemade creation of assorted videos sent to me by artists, families, and even an entire grade 3 class. I included videos from both Indigenous, and non-Indigenous people, straight and queer, people from all different walks of life. It was a giant celebration of community and joy. When I put the call out to people on social media to be a part of that project, it was a reminder to me that when you look to your community, they will in fact show up! I thought it was fitting to share my cover of this song, because it’s a parallel really for the work the Gord Downie and Chanie Wenjack Fund is doing, including everyone in the process of reconciliation. Before Gord Downie passed, he enlisted the help of his audience to amplify the reconciliation in this country and as an Indigenous person, I was quite moved. This is what I had in mind when I chose to record it.”

William Prince

William Prince

JUNO Award winning Singer/Songwriter
The Gord Downie & Chanie Wenjack Fund

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William Prince approaches the big questions with humility and curiosity. Prince’s influences and references span the pantheon of classic outlaw country singers, baseball, and the great beyond, all of which shape his approach to songcraft and offer a masterclass in skilful simplicity.

Prince’s JUNO Award winning debut Earthly Days introduced the songwriter’s poignant philosophy and rich baritone to the world. His breakout song “Breathless,” found audiences worldwide. Prince followed up with Reliever, released February 2020. For this album, Prince began with a single word, Reliever, which informed a collection of that explored how peace is found. Prince surprised fans with a second new album in 2020. Gospel First Nation, released in October, is a “21st Century Northern Interlake Country Gospel” collection that tells stories of family and faith in the age of grief. The album explores Prince’s own family tree, the places and music that shaped his childhood, and explores the extremely complicated relationship of faith and colonialism with grace and empathy.

Prince’s new album, Stand in the Joy, produced by Grammy Award winning producer, Dave Cobb, is slated for release in the spring of 2023. Prince’s momentum has continued to build, with each new album adding depth and dimension to an exceptional body of work that has received international acclaim. From national network television appearances, top tier media coverage including NPR Tiny Desk, LA Times and Rolling Stone, and high-profile performances at major international festivals, William Prince has become one of today’s most respected and celebrated songwriters.

William Prince will host the morning show for A Day to Listen 2022, broadcasting from 6am – 6pm at your local radio station. During his broadcast, you’ll hear him touch on some of his music, and the music of others. He mentions his partnership with the Gord Downie and Chanie Wenjack fund and reflects on the opportunity to be part of Secret Path Live with friends and musicians like Buffy Sainte-Marie, Serena Ryder, July Talk and more. You can revisit the project live at the link below where he sang Gord Downie’s song ‘Son.’

You’ll hear William speak about his song 7 during this broadcast, too. He says, “If you hear no other song from me today, go listen to this one.”

It’s inspired by his upbringing on Peguis First Nation, where he graduated from Peguis Central School. Years after graduating, his high school asked him to write a graduate anthem and he turned to the Seven Sacred Grandfather Teachings for some inspiration: Love, Wisdom, Respect, Truth, Humility, Honesty, Courage.

During the broadcast, you’ll hear William touch on cultural appreciation through the inspiring story of his cousin Destiny Seymour, and her business, Indigo Arrows. She is an Anishinaabe interior designer based in Winnipeg, Manitoba. She graduated with her master’s degree in Interior Design from the Faculty of Architecture at the University of Manitoba. She worked at a local architecture firm in Winnipeg for over 10 years as their interior designer before starting her own design business in 2016. On her website, https://indigoarrows.ca/, she shares:

“For thousands of years, Indigenous peoples in Manitoba, including my Anishinaabe ancestors, created beautiful patterns to adorn their pottery collections and host of bone tools. Most of the surviving pieces are held by museums now, but I think the world needs more than exhibition- we need these patterns in our homes provoking thought; we need them bridging gaps; and, we need them inspiring our loved ones. The Indigo Arrows line picks up where my ancestors left off.”

William will also speak about his friend, Indigenous comic Paul Rabliauskas, who he says is a true ambassador for taking your small community story to the world stage.

Catch Paul in his new sitcom Acting Good where he stars as himself: a witty but sensitive comic who returns home to the fictional Grouse Lake First Nation after a botched attempt to move to the big city – it’s inspired by his community of Poplar River First Nation.

William also touches on a community member he’s a huge fan of: Winnipeg’s Christa Bruneau-Guenther. Born and raised in Winnipeg, Manitoba, and a proud member of Peguis First Nation, Christa has spent nearly 20 years refining her cooking skills and expanding her knowledge of Indigenous foods.  She is a home cook turned restaurant owner whose passion and creativity are woven into the fabric of Feast Café.

Christa started Feast with a focus on community and a goal of becoming a pillar in the West End. She wants each visitor to experience modern dishes rooted in traditional First Nation foods while celebrating the spirit of her culture.  In the four years since opening, Christa’s recipes have been featured in publications such as Canadian Living, Chatelaine, and on Food Network Canada.

William highly recommends stopping-in if you’re ever in Winnipeg!

Meet our Speakers & Artists

David Robertson  

David Robertson  

The Gord Downie & Chanie Wenjack Fund

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DAVID A. ROBERTSON (he, him, his) was the 2021 recipient of the Writers’ Union of Canada Freedom to Read Award. He is the author of numerous books for young readers including When We Were Alone, which won the 2017 Governor General’s Literary Award and the McNally Robinson Best Book for Young People Award. The Barren Grounds, the first book in the middle-grade The Misewa Saga series, received a starred review from Kirkus, was a Kirkus and Quill & Quire best middle-grade book of 2020, was a USBBY and Texas Lone Star selection, was shortlisted for the Ontario Library Association’s Silver Birch Award, and was a finalist for the 2020 Governor General’s Literary Award. His memoir, Black Water: Family, Legacy, and Blood Memory, was a Globe and Mail and Quill & Quire book of the year in 2020, and won the Alexander Kennedy Isbister Award for Non-Fiction as well as the Carol Shields Winnipeg Book Award at the 2020 Manitoba Book Awards. On The Trapline, illustrated by Julie Flett, won David’s second Governor General’s Literary Award and was named one of the best picture books of 2021 by the CCBC, The Horn Book, New York Public Library, Quill & Quire, and American Indians in Children’s Literature. Dave is the writer and host of the podcast Kíwew, winner of the 2021 RTDNA Praire Region Award for Best Podcast. He is a member of Norway House Cree Nation and currently lives in Winnipeg.

Kyla Pascal  

Kyla Pascal  

The Gord Downie & Chanie Wenjack Fund

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Kyla Pascal is a Métis, Black woman born and raised in Amiskwaciwâskahikan ᐊᒥᐢᑲᐧᒋᐋᐧᐢᑲᐦᐃᑲᐣ (Edmonton, Alberta). Over the years Kyla has worked with a number of non-profit organizations focusing on anti-oppression, advocacy, and community-building. Her experiences and interests are centered around Indigenous solidarity, sustainability, community health, and food justice. The goal of her work is to build more resilient, just, and healthier communities. Kayla has also been featured in various media outlets such as CBC and featured on an Indigenous podcast called (Land)ing Back, where she shares about her entry point into climate work through food, land justice work, how climate spaces need to be actively integrating care work and the importance of finding the balance between our community work and our personal wellbeing. Kyla Pascal currently lives and studies on the ancestral, traditional, and unceded territories of the Musqueam, Tsleil Waututh, and Squamish Peoples (Vancouver). She currently works at Alderhill Planning Inc. as an intern, is a co-editor of Hungry zine, and is a Master of Planning candidate with the School of Community and Regional Planning at UBC.

Terri Cardinal  

Terri Cardinal  

The Gord Downie & Chanie Wenjack Fund

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Terri Cardinal (she, her) who’s Cree name is wapekihêw iskwew, is from Saddle Lake Cree Nation in Treaty 6 Territory. Terri is currently on leave from MacEwan University, where she is the director of Indigenous Initiatives.  She is working on a project with Blue Quills University as the Indian Residential School Coordinator for the next year. Terri has previously worked in First Nations communities developing and implementing culturally appropriate programming for Indigenous families while mentoring front line workers in the Health and Social Work field. Terri acknowledges her learning and connection to Cree Worldview from the Blue Quills University where she completed her first two degrees (BGS & IBSW). She completed her clinical MSW specializing in trauma with the University of Calgary and is currently pursuing her PhD in Social Work. Terri also received the 2020 Esquao Award for her work in Indigenous Education. In addition, she delivers nêhiyaw trauma informed practices workshops for front line workers. Terri sits as a member of the Social Work National Indigenous Accreditation Board and the external Indigenous Advisory Council for Edmonton Public Schools. She chairs the Indigenous Advisory Council for MacEwan University and has led Indigenous focused lectures internationally.

Diane Roussin

Diane Roussin

The Gord Downie & Chanie Wenjack Fund

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Diane Roussin is a passionate community leader committed to the pursuit of pimadaziwin (the good life) for all families and children. Her in-depth knowledge of Indigenous issues and solutions flow directly from her strong sense of identity and worldview. She is a proud member of Skownan First Nation and currently lives in Winnipeg.   Diane is currently the Project Director of the Winnipeg Boldness Project, an ambitious social innovation initiative seeking to create large-scale systems change for children and families in the Point Douglas neighbourhood. She has worked tirelessly, primarily in Winnipeg’s inner city, for initiatives that promote Indigenous People’s values and ways of knowing and being. She has led many projects and organizations including as Executive Director of the Ma Mawi Wi Chi Itata Centre, as Co-Director of the Community Education Development Association, and as Coordinator of The Centennial Neighbourhood Project.    Diane is adept at leading collaborative processes that involve numerous cross-sector partners and stakeholders, tenaciously seek solutions to barriers, and pursue tangible outcomes for the benefit of the community. Diane holds both Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Social Work Degrees.

Becky Han

Becky Han

The Gord Downie & Chanie Wenjack Fund

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Han who grew up in Arctic Bay, Nunavut now resides on Treaty 6 territory where she works from home. Believing that music is a crucial educational tool, she composes most of her songs in Inuktitut. Being active on social media, Han also uses her platform to share her learnings about the Inuit culture. Musically, Han resists labelling her sound with genres like pop or indie, instead considering it “modern,” providing a different option to the folk songs that are more widely available for Inuktitut-speakers. In 2021 she adapted her award-winning song “Qaariaq” into the children’s book The Bee, which was published in both English and Inuktitut. Although “Qaariaq” and its accompanying book were for children, most of Han’s music is actually written for adults, acoustic songs with themes of life, love and struggles. In 2020 after requesting donations for donations to the Inuujaq School in Ikpiarjuk in 2020, Han’s tweet caught the attention of actor Ryan Reynolds, who got in touch and collaborated with Canada Goose to donate more than 300 new parkas and additional winter apparel

Laurie Hermiston  

Laurie Hermiston  

The Gord Downie & Chanie Wenjack Fund

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Laurie Hermiston is a dynamic Indigenous leader with 20 years of experience in program, project and policy design, community engagement and the creation and implementation of strategic plans and organizational development. Working primarily through her collective, Kwewok Nakii, which translates to “Women’s Work” in Anishinaabe, her primary focus has been on building successful projects with Indigenous peoples and the allies that want to walk alongside them.

Her expertise in Indigenous relations, partnership development and the coordination, management and evaluation of initiatives to support community need is an asset to any project that she works on. Laurie is a successful grant writer with a proven track record of generating funds of over one million dollars for diverse clients as well as her own projects. Her ability to take an idea and move it into action is one of her greatest gifts, often being referred to as a “fire starter” by elders she has worked with.

Some of Kwewok Nakiis projects over the last few years have included; The City of Toronto, The Province of Ontario, The University of Toronto, Architecture Firms, Indigenous communities across Canada, numerous corporate and non-profit organizations and grass-roots initiatives supporting community capacity development, Two-Spirit Organizations, and local, provincial and national Foundations. Laurie’s recent work has been focussed on developing Dashmaawaaan Bemaadzinjin, an Indigenous food sovereignty and catering group in Toronto that uses food as a way to support community.

Salia Joseph 

Salia Joseph 

The Gord Downie & Chanie Wenjack Fund

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Salia Joseph is from the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh and Snuneymuxw First Nation’s on her father’s side and is British and Jewish on her mothers. Salia is a graduate from the First Nations and Indigenous studies program from the University of British Columbia. Salia is a Squamish language learner and is the executive director of The Sníchim Foundation which is a Sḵwx̱wú7mes language and culture non-profit. In addition to her language work Salia is the co-owner of Host Consulting Inc. which focuses on public art and elevating the designs and work of Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleilwaututh artists. Salia is very passionate about where she comes from and is and learning constantly about what it means to be Sḵwx̱wú7mesh. Salia is a community organizer and facilitator dedicated to Indigenous rights, culture and politics and passionate about youth and women advocacy work.”I think about my future, the future of my family, my community, it continually comes back to language”

Elder Dr. Duke Redbird

Elder Dr. Duke Redbird

The Gord Downie & Chanie Wenjack Fund

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DR. Duke Redbird, Elder, Poet, Human Rights Activist, Educator, and Artist. Dukes’s most recent recognition (2022) is an Honorary Doctorate of Law from his Alma Mater, York University where he also holds a Masters degree for Environmental Studies and Political Science. Duke Redbird is also featured on Native North America which received a Grammy Award nomination for best historical album in December 2015. Duke recently recorded his poem The Power of the Land with The Sultans of String and is currently recording Sweet Alberta and Our Mother the Earth with them.  In 2020, Duke was awarded a Life Time Achievement Award by the Toronto based performing arts organization JAYU in recognition of his influence through his art on Human Rights.   In 2020 Duke delivered a keynote address to MIT on the growing influence if Indigenous Thinking and Practices on the world of technology and higher learning. Inspired by his address, MIT announced the upcoming publication of COLLECTIVE WISDOM 2022 funded by the Ford Foundation and the MacArthur Foundation.   He occupies the position as Elder with the following organizations: Myseum Toronto, The Toronto Biennial, Summer Works, the Toronto Arts Council’s Banff Leaders Lab, Ontario Place, and is Artist in Residence with the Urban Indigenous Education Centre at the Toronto District School Board.

Peatr Thomas 

Peatr Thomas 

The Gord Downie & Chanie Wenjack Fund

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Peatr Thomas is a multidisciplinary Ininew and Anishinaabe self-taught, full-time visual artist from the Pimicikamak and Miskooseepi territories located near the heart of Turtle Island. A Youth Facilitator of many years he is sharing passed down knowledge, traditional teachings, culture and the healing process in creating visual forms of art. Peatr had a collaborative floor mural with Mike Valcourt and Kenneth Lavallee in the Winnipeg Art Gallery for their Boarder X exhibition in 2016, he won the 2019 Manito Ahbee 48-Hour Film Challenge with Skate Break and created a 1600 square foot mural for Synonym Art Consultation’s 2019 Wall-to-Wall Mural Festival. Skate Break is included in the Video Pool Media Arts Centre’s Showing Initiatives II screening program curated by Jenny Western. He has also done countless art programs with youth across Canada, sharing his artistic skills, life experiences, and culture.

Waubgeshig Rice

Waubgeshig Rice

The Gord Downie & Chanie Wenjack Fund

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Waubgeshig Rice is an author and journalist from Wasauksing First Nation. He has written three fiction titles, and his short stories and essays have been published in numerous anthologies. Waub got his first taste of journalism in 1996 as an exchange student in Germany, writing articles about being an Anishinaabe teen in a foreign country for newspapers. Back in Canada, in 2014, he received the Anishinabek Nation’s Debwewin Citation for excellence in First Nation Storytelling. His most recent novel, Moon of the Crusted Snow, was published in 2018 and became a national bestseller. He graduated from the journalism program at Toronto Metropolitan University in 2002, and spent most of his journalism career with the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation as a video journalist and radio host. He left CBC in 2020 to focus on his literary career. He lives in Sudbury, Ontario with his wife and two sons. His novel, Moon of the Turning Leaves, will be published in 2023.

Stephanie Harpe

Stephanie Harpe

The Gord Downie & Chanie Wenjack Fund

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Stephanie Harpe is an International Advocate for MMEIP Murdered or Missing and Exploited Indigenous Peoples, Murder Attempt, Exploitation Survivor and Family member who was a part of public testimony for the National Inquiry. Keynote Speaker for United Nations, traveled 50 Indigenous communities in western Canada and hosted MMEIP support group for 3 years. Completed 2 provincial action plans for Alberta for the National Action Plan, Grassroots works with oppressed people on human rights, safety and security. Developed 16 topics for Wellness and Safety Super clinics, lived experience coaching. Invited to London, Dubai and Malaysia for the largest youth conferences in the world to speak the truth of how Indigenous people have to survive their own country called Canada. Tedx Talk titled Indigenous Suffering and Survival to Success. An award nominated Singer and songwriter for Stephanie Harpe Experience (S.H.E.), Actress and former casting agent for local to Hollywood productions.

Mimi O’Bonsawin 

Mimi O’Bonsawin 

The Gord Downie & Chanie Wenjack Fund

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Mimi O’Bonsawin is a contemporary roots singer-songwriter from Northeastern Ontario. Through her rhythm and story-driven songs, Mimi embraces the beauty of the land, all the while yielding to her Franco-Ontarian and Abenaki roots. In her music you will find sounds from the forest, uplifting melodies and introspective lyrics weaved with pop sensitivities and acoustic instruments. The layers of percussion and surprising harmonies make you feel the music rather than just hear it.    

Her 5th release, and first instrumental album, Fiddleheads & Ferns, was produced and recorded in their Log Home Studio. Mimi’s album , Elle Danse, was nominated for Best New Artist & Best EP at the Trille Or Awards (2020) which recognizes Francophone Artists outside of Quebec. She continues to compose music for film & TV through Nagamo and has had music placed on CBC’s Trickster Ontario’ Highlands Documentary, Precious Leader Woman Docu-film, APTN’s Mohawk Girls, Showtime’s Ray Donovan. Mimi also composed the lyrics for Music Monday’s National Anthem for 2022. In 2019, she was awarded Best Pop Album at the Indigenous Music Awards.   

Mimi shares her passion for songwriting and art through workshops with youth in schools across Canada

Johna Hupfield 

Johna Hupfield 

The Gord Downie & Chanie Wenjack Fund

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Johna is Anishinaabekwe belonging to Wasauksing First Nation by Georgian Bay.  Mom to five, partner, daughter, sister, auntie, cuzzin and Indigenous Educator for language and cultural revitalization.  She works with the Near North District School board teaching Anishinaabemowin and Indigenous Studies.

Colin Van Loon 

Colin Van Loon 

The Gord Downie & Chanie Wenjack Fund

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Ahnahktsipiitaa* (Colin Van Loon) originally hails from Piikani aka Brocket AB and spent most of his formative years in Lethbridge AB.  After years of experience in the film industry as an actor Ahnahktsipiitaa made a decision to become a filmmaker, entering the  

SFU School of Contemporary Arts BFA Film Production program. Ahnahktsipiitaa works within the film industry commonly as an AD, but most notably spent a year working as the assistant to Alejandro González Iñárritu on the feature film: The Revenant. Ahnahktsipiitaa has been involved with the Talking Stick in many capacities whether it is screening personal films (The Fast, 2014), serving as the Director and Curator of REEL RESERVATIONS: Cinematic Indigenous Sovereignty Series and the additional upcoming Reel IndiGenuity youth film series. When not on a production Ahnahktsipiitaa works on building Blackfoot Nation Films, directing personal projects such as working in collaboration with Section 35 (Kill The Mascots, Save The People Ad campaign) and The Snotty Nosed Rez Kids (Skoden, Clash Of The Clans Music Videos). Ahnahktsipiitaa currently works and resides on the unceded territories of the Musqueam, Squamish and Tseil-Waatuth peoples.

Stewart Gonzales 

Stewart Gonzales 

The Gord Downie & Chanie Wenjack Fund

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l am Sempulyan, my late mother is Norma Campbell (Musqueam), my late father is Harvey Tsialten-t Gonzales, my late maternal grandmother is Amy Teresa Paull (Squamish), my late maternal grandfather is Sylvester Campbell (Musqueam). My late paternal grandmother is Ethel Lucy Jerome (Tsimshian), my late paternal grandfather is Johnny Kwestanaxen-t Gonzales. My late maternal great-grandmother is Theresa Charlie and my late maternal great-grandfather is Dan Paull (both are Squamish). My late paternal greatgrandmother is Emma dChatatolt-t Tsialten (Squamish) and my late paternal great grandfather is Peter Gonzales (Maule).  Semplúyan was elected as a General Councillor for the Squamish Nation during the September 2021 election.

GR Gritt

GR Gritt

The Gord Downie & Chanie Wenjack Fund

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Juno Award winning G.R. Gritt pulls effortlessly from the past to create soulful futurisms. With their new sound that elegantly weaves the melodies using vocals, guitar and electronic elements. they create both intimate and anthemic music that would fit in a folk club, a dance club and anywhere in between. G.R. Gritt is a Two-Spirit, Transgender, Francophone, Anishinaabe and Métis artist.     

Their music serves as one of these beacons of connection for all who come near it. Welcoming yet truthful, they reclaim space through songs that show that intersectional identity is expansive and not to be divided into parts. By exploring the emotional and cultural core of their heritage as a non-binary, queer, Indigenous artist they create new space and encourage others to do the same.

ALL PARTICIPATING STATIONS

Click here to see all participating stations

CFMP-FM Arnprior
CHCD-FM Simcoe
CHLK-FM Perth
CHMY-FM Renfrew
CHUC-FM Cobourg
CIMY-FM Pembroke
CIYM-FM Brighton
CJGM-FM Gananoque
CJMB-FM Peterborough
CJMI-FM Strathroy
CJWV-FM Peterborough
CKZM-FM St. Thomas
CKNC-FM Simcoe
CKSG-FM Cobourg
CKXM-FM Exeter
CKYM-FM Napanee
Acadia (15)
CFOB-FM Fort Frances
CHSJ-FM Saint John
CHTD-FM Saint John
CHWV-FM Saint John
CIGO-FM Port Hawkesbury
CJHK-FM Bridgewater
CJLS-FM Yarmouth
CJRL-FM Kenora
CJUK-FM Thunder Bay
CKBW-FM Bridgewater
CKDR-FM Dryden
CKHY-FM Halifax
CKHZ-FM Halifax
CKNI-FM Moncton
CKTG-FM Thunder Bay
Golden West Broadcasting (28)
CFAM Altona
CFEQ-FM Winnipeg
CFIT-FM Airdrie
CFRY Portage La Prairie
CFSL Weyburn
CHBO-FM Humboldt
CHRB High River
CHSM Steinbach
CHSN-FM Estevan
CILG-FM Moose Jaw
CILT-FM Steinbach
CIMG-FM Swift Current
CJAW-FM Moose Jaw
CJEL-FM Winkler
CJPG-FM Portage La Prairie
CJRB Altona (Boissevain)
CJSL Estevan
CJSN Shaunavon
CJUVFM Lacombe
CJYM Rosetown
CKFT-FM Fort Saskatchewan
CKMR-FM Strathmore
CKMW Winkler
CKQV-FM Kenora
CKRC-FM Weyburn
CKSW Swift Current
CKUV-FM High River
CKVX-FM Kindersley
Bayshore Broadcasting (9)
CFOS Owen Sound
CFPS-FM Saugeen Shores
CHGB-FM Wasaga Beach
CISO-FM Orillia
CIKX-FM Owen Sound
CKYC-FM Owen Sound
CHWC-FM Goderich
CFDC-FM Shellburne
CJMU-FM Muskoka
Harvard Broadcasting (13)
CFWF-FM Regina
CHFT-FM Fort McMurray
CHMX-FM Regina
CJGX Yorkton
CKEA-FM Edmonton
CKEX-FM Red Deer
CKIK-FM Red Deer
CFWD-FM Saskatoon
CFEX Calgary
CFVR Fort McMurray
CFGW Yorkton
CKPW-FM Edmonton
CKRM Regina
Blackburn (12)
CFCO Chatam
CFGX-FM Sarnia
CHKS-FM Sarnia
CHOK-FM Sarnia
CHYR-FM Leamington
CIBU-FM Wingham
CJSP-FM Leamington
CKLO-FM London
CKNX-AM Wingham
CKNX-FM Wingham
CKSY-FM Chatham
CKUE-FM Chatham
Vista Radio (53)
CFBG Bracebridge
CFBK Huntsville
CFBV Smithers
CFCH North Bay
CFFM 100 Mile House
CFFM Quesnel
CFGM Caledon
CFIF Iroquois Falls
CFJB Bolton
CFNA Bonnyville
CFNI Port Hardy
CFPC Courtney
CFPW Powell River
CFRI Grand Prairie
CFSF Sturgeon Falls
CFSM Cranbrook
CFXN North Bay
CFZN Haliburton
CHBY Barry’s Bay
CHGK Stratford
CHMS Bancroft
CHMT Timmins
CHNV Nelson
CHPB Cochrane
CIQC Campbell River
CIRX Vanderhoof
CIRX Prince George
CIVH Vanderhoof
CJCD Yellowknife
CJCD Hay River
CJCIF+ Prince George
CJCS Stratford
CJJM Espanola
CJLT – FM Medicine Hat
CJOC-FM Lethbridge
CJSU Duncan
CJSU-FM Duncan
CKAP Kapuskasing
CKAY-FM Nanaimo
CKBD Lethbridge
CKBX 100 Mile House
CKCQ-FM Quesnel
CKCV Creston
CKGF Grand Forks
CKHT Hearst
CKLM-FM Lloydminster
CKLP-FM Parry Sound
CKNR-FM Elliot Lake
CKPP Prescott
CKQR-FM Castlegar
CKVV Kemptville
CKWL Williams Lake
CKWL Quesnel
Pattison (48)
CFDV-FM Red Deer
CFMM-FM Prince Albert
CFMY-FM Redcliff
CFQX-FM Winnipeg
CHAT-FM Redcliff
CHBW-FM Rocky Mountain House
CHBZ-FM Cranbrook
CHDR-FM Cranbrook
CHIQ-FM Winnipeg
CHLB-FM Lethbridge
CHPQ-FM Parksville
CHQX-FM Prince Albert
CHUB-FM Red Deer
CHWF-FM Nanaimo
CHWK-FM Chilliwack
CIBH-FM Parksville
CIBW-FM Drayton Valley
CIFM-FM Kamloops
CIKT-FM Grande Prairie
CIUP-FM Edmonton
CIXM-FM Whitecourt
CJAV-FM Port Alberni
CJBZ-FM Lethbridge
CJCQ-FM North Battleford
CJDR-FM Cranbrook
CJIB-FM Vernon
CJJR-FM Vancouver
CJNB North Battleford
CJNS Meadow Lake
CJVR-FM Melfort
CJXX-FM Grande Prairie
CJZN-FM Victoria
CKBD Vancouver
CKBD-FM Lethbridge
CKBI Prince Albert
CKBZ-FM Kamloops
CKCE-FM Calgary
CKDVF+ Prince George
CKJH Melfort
CKKN-FM Prince George
CKKQ-FM Victoria
CKLR-FM Courtenay
CKLZ-FM Kelowna
CKNO-FM Edmonton
CKPK-FM Vancouver
CKQQ-FM Kelowna
CKWD-FM Calgary
CKWV-FM Nanaimo
Rawlco (7)
CFMC-FM Saskatoon
CHUP-FM Calgary
CIZL-FM Regina
CJDJ-FM Saskatoon
CJME Regina
CKCK-FM Regina
CKOM Saskatoon
Arctic Radio  (3)
CFAR Flin Flon
CHTM Thompson
CJAR The Pas
Central Ontario Broadcasting (3)
CIND-FM Toronto
CFJB-FM / CKMB Barrie
Byrnes Media (2)
CFLZ-FM/CJED Niagara Falls
CIHR-FM Woodstock
Stingray (58)
boom 44.1 Athabasca
Real Country Blairmore
Hot 101.3 Bonnyville
Real Country 105.7 Brooks
boom 101.1 Brooks
90.3 Amp Calgary
XL 103.1 Calgary
New Country 98.1 Camrose
Ocean 100.3 Charlottetown
Hot 105.5 Charlottetown
boom 95.3 Cold Lake
Real Country 910 Drumheller
840 CFCW Edmonton
K97 Edmonton
The Breeze 96.3 Edmonton
Real Country Edson
Rewind 93.1 Fredericton
New Country 92.3 Fredericton
The Breeze 96.5 Halifax
Q104 Halifax
Real Country High Prairie
boom 104.9 Hinton
New Country 103.1 Kamloops
Radio NL Kamloops
The New K97.5 Kamloops
K96.3 Kelowna
boom 103.5 Lac La Biche
Real Country 95.9 Lloydminster
Rewind 95.9 Miramichi
Q103 Moncton
New Country 96.9 Moncton
The Breeze 94.1 New Glasgow
Q97.9 New Glasgow
Rewind 89.3 New Minas
Live 88.5 Ottawa
Hot 89.9 Ottawa
New Country 100.7 Penticton
Z98.9 Red Deer
Real Country 95.5 Red Deer
Q88.9 Saint John
boom 92.7 Slave Lake
Hot 99.1 St. John’s
VOCM St. John’s
Krock St. John’s
New Country 930 St. John’s
Real Country 93.3 Stettler
Hot 93.5 Sudbury
rewind 103.9 Sudbury
Hot 101.9 Sydney
New Country 103.5 Sydney
boom 97.3 Toronto
Flow 93.5 Toronto
The Breeze 104.3 Vancouver
Z95.3 Vancouver
Hot 93.7 Wainwright
boom 101.9 Wainwright
Real Country 97.9 Westlock
W1440 Wetaskiwin
boom 96.7 Whitecourt
Evanov (10)
CKPC Brantford
CKPC-FM Brantford
CJGB_FM Meaford
CJWL-FM Ottawa
CKHK-FM Hawkesbury
CHRD-FM Rockland
CFJL-FM Winnipeg
CKDX-FM Toronto
CHWE-FM Winnipeg
CHSV-FM Quebec
Rogers Media (50)
JACK 96.9 Vancouver
News 1130 Vancouver
Star 98.3 Chilliwack
The New KiSS RADiO Chilliwack
Country 107.1 Abbotsford
Mountain FM Squamish
Mountain FM Whistler
98.1 CHFI Toronto
680 News Toronto
KiSS 92.5 Toronto
The New KISS 102.3 Winnipeg
92.1 CITI Winnipeg
106.1 CHEZ Ottawa
Country 92.3 Smith Falls
CityNews Ottawa Ottawa
KiSS 105.3 Ottawa
JACK 96.9 Calgary
95.9 CHFM Calgary
660 News Calgary
Mountain FM Canmore
JACK 103.1 Victoria
98.5 Ocean Victoria
101.9 Rock North Bay
The New KiSS 100.5 North Bay
Country 600 North Bay
92.7 Rock Sudbury
KiSS 105.3 Sudbury
92.1 Rock Timmins
The New KiSS 99.3 Timmins
The New KiSS 100.5 Sault Ste. Marie
Country 104.3 Sault Ste. Marie
KiSS 107.7 Lethbridge
106.7 Rock Lethbridge
CHYM 96.7 Kitchener
News570 Kitchener
Country 106.7 Kitchener
JACK 102.3 London
Easy 101.3 Tillsonburg
Country 107.3 Tillsonburg
KROCK 105.7 Kingston
Country 93.5 Kingston
KiSS 102.7 Kingston
News 957 Halifax
JACK 92.9 Halifax
Country 93.3 Fort McMurray
97.9 Rock Fort McMurray
Sonic 1029 Edmonton
KiSS 91.7 Edmonton
ROCK 97.7 Grande Prairie
ROCK 105.3 Medicine Hat
JACK 102.1 Medicine Hat
Corus (38)
CKNW Vancouver
CHMJ Vancouver
CFMI Vancouver
CFOX Vancouver
CHED Edmonton
CHQT Edmonton
CKNG Edmonton
CISN Edmonton
CHQR Calgary
CKRY Calgary
CFGQ Calgary
CJOB Winnipeg
CJKR Winnipeg
CFPG Winnipeg
CFPL London
CFPL-FM London
CFHK London
CKDK London
CKBT Kitchener
CJDV Kitchener
CJOY Guelph
CIMJ Guelph
CHML Hamilton
CJXY Hamilton
CING Hamilton
CFMJ Toronto
CFNY Toronto
CILQ Toronto
CIQB Barrie
CHAY Barrie
CKCB Collingwood
CKWF Peterborough
CKRU Peterborough
CFMK Kingston
CKWS Kingston
CKQB Ottawa
CJOT Ottawa
CJSS Cornwall
CFLG Cornwall
Bell Media (85)
CFBR-FM Edmonton
CFMG-FM Edmonton
CFRN Edmonton
CIBK-FM Calgary
CJAY-FM Calgary
CFAX Victoria
CFBT-FM Vancouver
CFTK Terrace
CHBE-FM Victoria
CHOR-FM Summerland
CHQM-FM Vancouver
CHRX-FM Fort St. John
CHSU-FM Kelowna
CHTK-FM Prince Rupert
CICF-FM Vernon
CILKF+ Kelowna
CIOR Princeton
CJAT-FM Trail
CJDC Dawson Creek
CJFW-FM Terrace
CJMG-FM Penticton
CJOR Osoyoos
CKCR-FM Revelstoke
CKFR Kelowna
CKGR-FM Golden
CKKC-FM Nelson
CKNL-FM Fort St. John
CKOR+ Penticton
CKRX-FM Fort Nelson
CKST Vancouver
CKTK-FM Kitimat
CKXR-FM Salmon Arm
CFWM-FM Winnipeg
CKMM-FM Winnipeg
CKXA-FM Brandon
CKX-FM Brandon
CFXY-FM Fredericton
CIBX-FM Fredericton
CIKX-FM Grand Falls
CJCJ-FM Woodstock
CKBC-FM Bathurst
CKHJ Fredericton
CIOO-FM Halifax
CJCH-FM Halifax
CKTO-FM Truro
CKTY-FM Truro
CFCA-FM Waterloo
CFGO Ottawa
CFJR-FM Brockville
CFLY-FM Kingston
CFRA Ottawa
CFRB Toronto
CHRE-FM St. Catharines
CHTZ-FM St. Catharines
CHUM Toronto
CHUM-FM Toronto
CHVR-FM Pembroke
CICS-FM Sudbury
CICX-FM Orillia
CICZ-FM Midland
CIDR-FM Windsor
CIMX-FM Windsor
CIQM-FM London
CJBK London
CJBX-FM London
CJMJ-FM Ottawa
CJOS-FM Owen Sound
CJPT-FM Brockville
CKFM-FM Toronto
CKKL-FM Ottawa
CKKW-FM Waterloo
CKLC-FM Kingston
CKLH-FM Hamilton
CKLW Windsor
CKLY-FM Lindsay
CKOC Hamilton
CKPT-FM Peterborough
CKQM-FM Peterborough
CKSL London
CKTB St. Catharines
CKWW Windsor
CHOM-FM Montreal
CJAD Montreal
CJFM-FM Montreal
CHBD-FM Regina
Quinte Broadcasting (3)
CJBQ-FM Belleville
CIGL Belleville
CJTN Belleville
Dougall Media (4)
CKPR-FM Thunder Bay
CJSD-FM Thunder Bay
CFQK-FM Thunder Bay
CFNO-FM Marathon
CFWE-FM / CJWE-FM Edmonton
CIAT-FM Assiniboia
CICW-FM Fergus
CKRK-FM Kahnawake
CKXS-FM/CHLP-FM Wallaceburg/Listowell
CHCQ / CJOJ Belleville
CKYY-FM / CIXL-FM Niagara/St. Catharines
CIXX-FM London
CKSI-FM Thunder Bay
CFPO / CFPT Ottawa/Toronto
CKSJ-FM St. John’s
CIWN Saugreen
CJJC-FM Yorkton
CFNR-FM Terrace
CINB-FM Saint John
CJLX-FM Belleville
CJLR-FM La Ronge
CHOZ-FM St. John’s
CJPE-FM Prince Edward County
CKFU-FM Fort St. John
CKHC-FM Toronto
CKAR Muskoka
CKUA-FM Calgary/Edmonton
CKDM Dauphin
CIXN Fredericton
CFMH-FM Saint John
CKOA-FM Glace Bay
CKVE-FM Hubbards
CHBB Norris Point
CHMA Sackville
CJKS Ohsweken
CIMA-FM/CJML-FM/CKMO-FMAlliston, Milton, Orangeville
CHMA-FM Sackville
CKDU-FM Halifax
CIOE-FM Lower Sackville

National Mental Health Crisis Support:

Canada Suicide Prevention Service 24 Hour Crisis Line: 

1-833-456-4566 

Text 45645 (4PM – 12AM EST) 

Kids Help Phone 24 Hour Services: 

1-800-668-6868 or text CONNECT to 686868 

Live chat 6:00 pm – midnight EST: https://kidshelpphone.ca/live-chat

Crisis Support by Province:

https://thelifelinecanada.ca/suicide-prevention-crisis-centre-contact-information/crisis-centres/canadian-crisis-centres

Mental Health Crisis Lines and Mental Health Resources for Indigenous Community Members:

Hope for Wellness – Indigenous help line:

1-855-242-3310

Online chat:  https://www.hopeforwellness.ca/  

Indian Residential School Survivor 24 Hour Crisis Line:

1-866-925-4419 

Canada Suicide Prevention Service 24 Hour Crisis Line: 

1-833-456-4566 

Text 45645 (4PM – 12AM EST) 

Kids Help Phone:

Indigenous Peoples can connect with an Indigenous volunteer crisis responder, when available, by texting FIRST NATIONS, INUIT or METIS to: 

686868 for youth 

741741 for adults 

Government of Canada:

https://www.sac-isc.gc.ca/eng/1576089278958/1576089333975  

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The Gord Downie & Chanie Wenjack Fund

Registered Charity Number: 784055915RR0001

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About DWF

Inspired by Chanie’s story and Gord’s call to build a better Canada, the Gord Downie & Chanie Wenjack Fund aims to build cultural understanding and create a path toward reconciliation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples. Our goal is to improve the lives of Indigenous people by building awareness, education, and connections between all peoples in Canada.

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Get In Touch

Phone:  1-844-944-4545

E-mail: staff@downiewenjack.ca

Address:
PO BOX 749
OHSWEKEN, ON
N0A1M0

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