Chanie Wenjack was an Anishinaabe boy from Ogoki Post. In 1963, at the age of nine, he was forced to attend the Cecilia Jeffrey Indian Residential School in Kenora, Ontario. Three years later, at the age of twelve, Chanie ran away, trying to walk 600 kilometres home to his family. Nine others ran that same day. All but Chanie were caught within 24 hours.

Chanie’s body was found beside the railway tracks on October 23, 1966. He had succumbed to starvation and exposure. In his pocket was nothing but a small glass jar with seven wooden matches. His death sparked the first inquest into the treatment of Indigenous children in residential schools and, years later, inspired Gord Downie to create Secret Path.

Because of donors like you, more than 7,000 Legacy Schools are teaching Indigenous history and incorporating reconciliation into classrooms throughout Canada. You have also helped thousands of people in Canada take nearly 3 million reconciliACTIONs, or meaningful actions that move reconciliation forward.

Since 2017, thousands of people in Canada have answered Gord’s call. The movement is growing. Your gift keeps it moving forward.

Gord challenged us to “Do Something.”
Answer his call. Donate today.