The next deadline for Oshki Wupoowane | The Blanket Fund grant applications is fast approaching, the Legacy Schools program is gearing up for another exciting school year, and several new Legacy Spaces have recently opened! Learn about all this and more, below.
Reconciliation Action Grant applications are now open! Apply by September 15, 2023 to be considered for the next round of funding.
Oshki Wupoowane | The Blanket Fund is an initiative by DWF in partnership with Hudson’s Bay Foundation that aims to support projects and initiatives that promote reconciliation, cultural understanding, and healing between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples. The Reconciliation Action Grant provides vital funding for Indigenous cultural, artistic, and educational activities.
| APPLY NOW |
4th Riverside South Girl Guides walked 600 kms individually and as a unit to honour Chanie Wenjack. After only two weeks, they reached their goal.
It’s been another amazing year for the Legacy Schools program! With over 7,600 educators and club leaders registered, the Legacy Schools program has educators and group leaders in every province and territory using DWF resources to teach about the true history of Canada and weaving Indigenous knowledge into their classrooms.
New toolkits and booster packs for the upcoming school year will be shipping out at the end of August. Remember to update your contact information if you moved to make sure you receive your new kit!
Are you a teacher or youth group leader not yet in the program? Learn more and register today to receive your toolkit!
Central Peel Secondary, ON won an Artist Ambassador workshop with Nyle Johnston for submitting their school reconciliACTIONs! Students worked on individual paintings that, when combined, will make up a collaborative classroom mural.
| SEND US YOUR RECONCILIACTIONS |
In September, we turn our attention to Orange Shirt Day and the National Day for Truth & Reconciliation. This is a time to reflect on the history and legacy of residential schools and all colonial policies. In October, Secret Path Week gives us all an opportunity to #DoSomething to move reconciliation forward.
On September 20, we invite Legacy Schools educators and group leaders and Legacy Spaces partners to join us to learn how to create a land acknowledgement. Registration will open soon. Stay tuned for more!
A Day to Listen
On Saturday, September 30, in collaboration with the Gord Downie & Chanie Wenjack Fund, radio stations throughout Canada will amplify Indigenous voices for the third consecutive year. Stay tuned for more information about this year’s hosts, guests, and more.
| LISTEN TO LAST YEAR’S INTERVIEWS |
Secret Path Week
Secret Path Week is a national movement commemorating the legacies of Gord Downie and Chanie Wenjack. It takes place annually from October 17-22 marking the dates that Gord Downie and Chanie Wenjack joined the spirit world.
Stay tuned for more details on how you can answer Gord’s call to Do Something this Secret Path Week.
| LEARN MORE ABOUT SECRET PATH WEEK |
Walk for Wenjack
Everybody has their own reason to Walk for Wenjack. For some, it may be a moment to honour Chanie. For others, it may be an opportunity to raise awareness of the true history of residential schools. Each Walk for Wenjack is unique.
Since April 2023, 2,899 km have already been walked honouring the legacy of Chanie Wenjack. Planning a Walk for Wenjack in 2023-24? Head to our website for everything you need to get started.
| LEARN MORE ABOUT WALK FOR WENJACK |
DWF and the Downie family joined Manulife employees at the opening of their second Legacy Space in Ontario.
On National Indigenous Peoples Day, Manulife celebrated the creation of their Toronto Legacy Space. Since joining the program in 2020, Manulife has launched a Legacy Space inside their Waterloo location, and this latest addition at their Global Headquarters in Toronto. DWF team members were joined by Patrick and Mike Downie and treated to performances from the All-Nations Juniors Traditional Drummers, a teaching from Toronto Council Fire’s Kevin Myran, who is part of the Bird Clan of the Dakotas, and performances from DWF Artist Ambassadors, the Strong Water Singers and James Wilson. Thank you to Manulife for walking this path with us!
‘Paddling on Both Sides’ from our Reconciliation Begins With You series plays in the lobby of Vancouver Centre II in downtown Vancouver, BC.
In celebration of Indigenous History Month, our partners at GWL Realty Advisors found a unique way to take reconciliACTION by leveraging different screens throughout their buildings throughout the month of June. Using resources from DWF and their own educational content, staff and visitors could engage with the screens in elevators and common spaces throughout the month of June. If you have screens in your workplace, we encourage you to visit our YouTube channel to find virtual events and video series to share with your team!
Chanie Wenjack’s sisters are seen here at the entrance to the Accenture Canada Legacy Space in Toronto, ON.
Following DWF’s National Indigenous Peoples Day event in Toronto, our partners at Accenture Canada hosted the Wenjack family for a tour of their latest Legacy Space. Pearl, Daisy, and Evelyn were able to enjoy lunch with the team who brought this incredible Legacy Space to life and view the multi-dimensional installation ‘Migizi’ by DWF Artist Ambassador, Nyle Miigizi Johnston. This Legacy Space in Toronto is one of six that Accenture will be creating in their offices throughout Canada.
Nova Scotia Power officially launched their Legacy Space on National Indigenous Peoples Day 2023. Created in collaboration with Emera, the Legacy Space offers employees from both organizations a safe, welcoming place dedicated to providing education and raising awareness about Indigenous history. Take a look inside this unique space, found on the boardwalk level of their Halifax Waterfront building!
| LEARN MORE ABOUT LEGACY SPACES |
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.
Phone: 1-844-944-4545
E-mail: staff@downiewenjack.ca
Address:
PO BOX 749
OHSWEKEN, ON
N0A1M0
Welcome Back to School! 