So far, 2023 has been a busy year and we have no plans to slow down! From honouring Gord on his birthday to exciting DWF LIVE and Artist Ambassador visits, our Legacy Schools haven’t stopped finding new ways to take reconiliACTION. We’ve got lots going on to help you on your reconciliation journey, check out all the details below for more information!
Gord with the Secret Path band.
In Vancouver, BC, Ridgeway Elementary School created displays to honour the children being recovered at school sites throughout the country. One of the displays included 215 eight-pointed stars, and 215 orange thread hearts to promote awareness around their school and community. Inside each star was a mind map of qualities of Gord Downie that led him to creating The Secret Path.
Teachers with the Toronto District School Board in Ontario took part in a professional development day with DWF.
Help us grow the Legacy Schools program!
Did you know that every educator or leader at your school or club can now be part of the Legacy Schools program? Refer a colleague and help to grow this important program. Previously we had set a maximum of five signups per school or club, but we are lifting the cap!
You and your colleague(s) could win exclusive DWF merch and one of our amazing prizes from these Indigenous businesses:
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To enter, your colleague(s) will complete the registration form. When they reach the question, How did you hear about the Legacy Schools program? they will select Referral by a Friend/Colleague and enter your name and email. Draws will be made in April.
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The Social Justice Committee at Amherst Regional High School, NS organized a school-wide Walk for Wenjack with their fellow students.
Educator Advisory Committee members will lead a discussion around what they have been doing in schools and clubs. Attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions and share ideas with other Legacy Schools throughout the country. This session will be a mix of club and school leaders working with a variety of age groups.
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
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Each month, Indigenous artists and leaders join Legacy Schools classrooms and youth groups for live performances, storytelling, and more as we continue to explore how we can all move reconciliation forward through awareness, education, and action. Sign your Legacy School group up for free to engage youth each month.
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PAUL PIKE | MUSICIAN AND COMPOSERMi’kmaw musician and composer, Paul Pike, from Corner Brook, Newfoundland and Labrador. Paul is the singer/songwriter and multi-instrumentalist for the award winning contemporary First Nations rock band, Medicine Dream. Medicine Dream released three recordings internationally, two with canyon records and one independently. Pike lived in Alaska for 25 years before returning home to Newfoundland in 2015 to be close to his family, friends, and the land he is so much a part of. Paul’s newest release “Echoes of Our Ancestors” is the first Native American Flute album to ever be released from NL. With mostly instrumental compositions, listeners describe Paul’s music as both meditative and soul soothing. |
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CANDACE LINKLATER | FOUNDER, RELENTLESS INDIGENOUS WOMAN CONSULTING INC.Special International Women’s Day DWF LIVECandace Linklater is an Ililliew Cree from Moose Cree First Nation on Treaty 9 territory. Candace began a social media platform on Facebook called Relentless Indigenous Woman, which grew in followers exponentially, going from 3,000 to nearly 700,000. She pushes the envelope when discussing issues caused by patriarchy, white supremacy, capitalism, colonization, and racism and its impacts on Indigenous women, girls, two spirit, transgender, and gender diverse (WG2STGD) people. She emphasizes that such discussions are necessary to achieve meaningful justice, reconciliation, decolonization, and Indigenous resurgence. |
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Docs For Schools Teacher Conference with Buffy Sainte-MarieDWF will be partnering with the Docs For Schools Teacher Conference on Friday, February 24, exploring the theme of possibility. This inspiring event will consist of a full day of in-person learning and will be anchored by a special screening of BUFFY SAINTE MARIE: CARRY IT ON with special guest via zoom, Buffy Sainte-Marie! Learn more about the Legacy Schools program and how you can be the change in your classroom! |
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Be sure to check out our updated resources for Legacy Schools. There is now a special section on Buffy Sainte-Marie’s resources.
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Students at Montague Regional High School, PEI were joined by Artist Ambassador Don Ross.
Students at Montague Regional High School on Prince Edward Island were joined by Artist Ambassador, Don Ross. Don shared his music with the students including songs from the documentary, The Ice Walk, and upcoming music for a video game titled, Star Lords. He also shared his experience with family members attending resident schools and needing to hide their identity.
Students also created a feather display in the school’s front hall to honour and bring awareness to MMIWG2S.
Montague Regional High School student feather display.
We are happy to announce that the DWF Youth Ambassador Program will be taking place again this summer! The program allows individuals to gain practical work experience and develop leadership skills by connecting 100 Indigenous and non-Indigenous youth ages 16 – 25 throughout Canada. While learning about Canada’s true history, youth will develop a deeper understanding of what reconciliation means to them, how to apply it in their communities, and how to be leaders of positive change. Learn more about the program and how to apply below.
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We love seeing and sharing what Legacy Schools are doing! Send us your reconciliACTIONs for a chance to be featured in our ReconciliACTION guidebook, in next year’s Legacy School materials, and in other DWF communications!
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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
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