The Gord Downie & Chanie Wenjack Fund
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  • Home
  • About Us
    • Our Story
    • Our Team
    • Our Partners
    • Secret Path
    • FAQs
    • Careers
  • Programs
    • Our Work
    • Legacy Schools Program
      • Poster Contest 2022
      • Virtual Art Workshops
      • Legacy Schools Resources
      • Legacy School reconciliACTIONs
      • Register your School
      • Subscribe to Legacy Schools Newsletter
      • Update Educator Contact Information
    • Artist Ambassador Program
    • Youth Ambassador Program
    • Legacy Spaces Program
    • ReconciliACTIONs
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    • Event Calendar
    • DWF Live
    • Secret Path Week
    • Walk for Wenjack
    • Indigenous History Month 2022
    • National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
      • Discussion: what this means for reconciliation in Canada
    • A Day to Listen
    • A Day for Truth and Reconciliation
    • Secret Path Live
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What is Secret Path Week?

Secret Path Week is a national movement commemorating the legacies of Gord Downie and Chanie Wenjack, and takes place annually from October 17-22. This is a meaningful week as October 17th and 22nd respectively mark the dates that Gord Downie and Chanie Wenjack joined the spirit world.

We call on all people in Canada to use Secret Path Week to answer Gord Downie’s call to action, to “Do Something” by creating a reconciliACTION and furthering the conversation about the history of residential schools.

Scroll down for the Secret Path Week 2021 Schedule and check out our events calendar for more.

We encourage you to Walk for Wenjack this Secret Path Week to honour Chanie’s legacy and raise awareness of the true history of residential schools. Learn more about how you can host or join a Walk for Wenjack in your community.

secret-path-live-concert-downie-wenjack
Chanie’s Story Take ReconciliACTION Recommended Resources Walk for Wenjack Host a Third Party Event Social Media Shareables NEW: Reconciliation Begins With You video series

Secret Path Week 2021 Schedule

Events will be added as they are confirmed. Check back for the latest information.

Below is a list of events taking during Secret Path Week and in the time surrounding it.

September 20

  • Legacy Schools can stream all 52 films by renowned Abenaki filmmaker, Alanis Obomsawin at nfb.ca/alanis_obomsawin.
    More information.
  • Legacy Schools educators can register for The Australian Dream teacher screening by email.

September 30

  • National Day for Truth and Reconciliation: A conversation about this inaugural day and what it means for Canada. Recommended to anyone age 14+.

September 30 – October 18

Students, teachers, and families are invited to experience Mistatim, a digital reimagining of Red Sky Performance’s acclaimed production, featuring music co-created by TSO musicians and Indigenous music creators. This digital film was released on September 30, 2021, Canada’s first National Day for Truth & Reconciliation, and will be available until October 18, 2021. Tickets are $100 for classrooms or $20 for families. 

To purchase tickets for multiple classrooms or schools, please contact SchoolConcerts@TSO.CA. To purchase access for a single classroom, visit Red Sky TV’s school viewing page. For all other purchases, visit Red Sky TV’s home and family viewing page. 

Learn about Red Sky Performance: http://www.redskyperformance.com/ 

October 12

  • Spirit to Soar by Tanya Talaga and Michelle Derosier becomes available through Docs For Schools until October 29, 2021. Suitable for grades 9-12 Senior level Book Your Film Now
  • Rumble: The Indians Who Rocked the World becomes available to teachers through Docs For Schools until October 29, 2021. Suitable for grades 9-12 Senior level  Book Your Film Now
  • Turning Tables becomes available to teachers through Docs For Schools until October 29, 2021.  Book Your s Film Now  Suitable for all grades K-12
    The star of this documentary Classic Roots will also be hosting a live session:

    • Virtual Secret Path Week series for Legacy Schools with speaker: Classic Roots at 11:00am EST. Register at Exploring By the Seat of your Pants

October 17 & 18

  • Docs For Schools is offering a free teacher only online viewing of the documentary AUSTRALIAN DREAM, October 17, 18.

Details: https://downiewenjack.ca/our-work/secret-path-week/

October 18

  • Virtual Secret Path Week series for Legacy Schools with speaker: Angela Miracle Gladue at 10:00am EST. Register at Exploring By the Seat of your Pants.
  • Virtual Secret Path Week series for Legacy Schools with speaker: Ecko Aleck at 11:00am EST. Register at Exploring By the Seat of your Pants.
  • Virtual Secret Path Week series for Legacy Schools with speaker: Wesley Hardisty, at 12:00 pm EST. Register at Exploring By the Seat of your Pants.
  • Virtual Secret Path Week series for Legacy Schools with speaker: Sandra Sutter at 1:00pm EST. Register at Exploring By the Seat of your Pants.
  • Virtual Secret Path Week series for Legacy Schools with speaker: Orene Askew at 2:00pm EST. Register at Exploring By the Seat of your Pants.

October 19

  • (RESCHEDULED to October 21) Virtual Secret Path Week series for Legacy Schools with speaker: Classic Roots at 11:00am EST. Register at Exploring By the Seat of your Pants.
  • (CANCELLED) Virtual Secret Path Week series for Legacy Schools with speaker: Nyle Miigizi Johnston at 1:00pm EST. Register at Exploring By the Seat of your Pants.
  • Virtual Secret Path Week series for Legacy Schools with speaker: Morgan Toney at 2:00pm EST. Register at Exploring By the Seat of your Pants.

October 20

  • Virtual Secret Path Week series for Legacy Schools with speaker: Solomon Ratt & Arden Ogg at 11:00am EST. Register at Exploring By the Seat of your Pants.
  • Virtual Secret Path Week series for Legacy Schools with speaker: Ray John Jr. at 12:00pm EST. Register at Exploring By the Seat of your Pants.
  • Virtual Secret Path Week series for Legacy Schools with speaker: Julian Taylor, October 20th @ 1:00pm EST. Register at Exploring By the Seat of your Pants.
  • Virtual Secret Path Week series for Legacy Schools with speaker: Nick Sherman at 2:00pm EST. Register at Exploring By the Seat of your Pants.

October 21

  • Virtual Secret Path Week series for Legacy Schools with speaker: Stan Kapashesit at 9:00am EST. Register at Exploring By the Seat of your Pants.
  • Virtual Secret Path Week series for Legacy Schools with speaker: Sandra Laronde at 10:00am EST. Register at Exploring By the Seat of your Pants.
  • Virtual Secret Path Week series for Legacy Schools with speaker: Classic Roots at 11:00am EST. Register at Exploring By the Seat of your Pants.
  • Virtual Secret Path Week series for Legacy Schools with speaker: Becky Han (Artist Ambassador), at 12:00pm EST. Register at Exploring By the Seat of your Pants.
  • Virtual Secret Path Week series for Legacy Schools with speaker: Aaron Yazzie at 1:00pm EST. Register at Exploring By the Seat of your Pants.
  • Virtual Secret Path Week series for Legacy Schools with speaker: Lucia Laford at 2:00pm EST. Register at Exploring By the Seat of your Pants.

October 22

  • Virtual Secret Path Week series for Legacy Schools with speaker: Harriet Visitor at 11:00am EST. Register at Exploring By the Seat of your Pants.
  • Virtual Secret Path Week series for Legacy Schools with speaker: Nancy Holman at 1:00pm EST. Register at Exploring By the Seat of your Pants.
  • 1:00pm EST: Webinar: Music & ReconciliACTION: Weaving Indigenous Knowledge, one subject at a time. Artist Ambassador Mimi O’Bonsawin joins DWF Legacy Schools staff as they explore how music can inspire reconciliACTION through healing and art. REGISTER
  • Virtual Secret Path Week series for Legacy Schools with speaker: G.R. Gritt, October 22nd @ 2:00 pm EST. Register at Exploring By the Seat of your Pants.

Testimonials

“I feel that we all need to ” do something” in order to bring this dark part of Canadian history to light.

So many of us are unaware of the circumstances, incredible hurt and devastation that the Residential School System has caused indigenous families. Not only were those families ripped apart, and ways of life destroyed, but us as Canadians were ripped off from knowing such a beautiful culture.”

Sonia D’AloisioFounder of So Hip It Hurts, Legacy Space Partner

“As many as 10,000 people a day visit the Killam Library — students, staff, faculty, and community members — making it one of the busiest places on campus.  This high traffic location provides a constant daily reminder of Chanie Wenjack’s tragic story.”

Donna Bourne-TysonUniversity Librarian of Dalhousie, Legacy Space Partner

“An amazing night and a wonderful tribute to #GordDownie and #TragicallyHip. A beautiful way to celebrate Gord, @thehipdotcom and @downiewenjack. Some very strong messages were received and the performances and speeches were stellar. Thank you!”

- Audience member at the Burlington Performing Arts Centre’s LEGACY: A Tribute to Gord Downie and Legacy Space Launch event
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The Gord Downie & Chanie Wenjack Fund

Registered Charity Number: 784055915RR0001

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About Our Fund

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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