Toronto, ON – In partnership with the Gord Downie & Chanie Wenjack Fund (DWF), Hudson’s Bay Foundation is proud to launch four Legacy Space pop-ups, in its Montreal, Toronto Queen Street, Downtown Vancouver, and Yorkdale locations in honour of Indigenous History Month. The pop-ups offer customers a space to connect, reflect on Canada’s true history, and learn about DWF’s work including Oshki Wupoowane | The Blanket Fund.
The Blanket Fund launched on September 30, 2022 with an initial $1 million investment from Hudson’s Bay Foundation and a commitment to direct 100% of net proceeds from the sale of all HBC Point Blankets to The Blanket Fund moving forward. To date, over 2 million in funding has been committed to 53 organizations through two grant streams. Learn more about The Blanket Fund and its funding recipients at downiewenjack.ca/the-blanket-fund.
Legacy Spaces are safe, welcoming spaces created by DWF partners in their offices or other spaces where conversations and education about the true history of Canada and our collective journey toward reconciliation are encouraged and supported. Each Legacy Space provides an opportunity to bring Indigenous and non-Indigenous people together to build connections and understanding while ensuring Indigenous perspectives are represented and celebrated in the workplace. There are more than 100 unique Legacy Spaces in businesses, corporate offices, and other organizations throughout Canada.
“We are thrilled to see these Legacy Space pop-ups in four Hudson’s Bay locations this June,” said Sarah Midanik, President & CEO, Gord Downie & Chanie Wenjack Fund. “Not only do the pop-ups reaffirm Hudson’s Bay’s commitment to supporting real, tangible change in Indigenous communities through The Blanket Fund, but they also highlight DWF’s work and the importance of continuing to move reconciliation forward for their shoppers.”
“We are incredibly proud to build on our partnership with DWF and extend the Legacy Space experience beyond the boardroom, to our customers,” said Bradyn Parisian, VP of Indigenous Relations, Hudson’s Bay. “Through these spaces, we aim to provide customers with resources and knowledge to help advance reconciliation in Canada.”
ABOUT HUDSON’S BAY FOUNDATION
Hudson’s Bay Foundation is a registered charity, working to address racial inequality by investing in education, employment and empowerment opportunities for Indigenous Peoples, Black People and People of Colour. In 2021, Hudson’s Bay Foundation launched Hudson’s Bay Foundation Charter for Change, committing $30 million over 10 years to accelerate racial equity in communities across Canada. By partnering with organizations doing critical work under its three pillars, Hudson’s Bay Foundation provides funding for programs and initiatives driving meaningful and sustainable change.
ABOUT THE GORD DOWNIE AND CHANIE WENJACK 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. Learn more at DownieWenjack.ca.
Media Contacts:
HUDSON’S BAY
Tiffany Bourré
VP, Communications, PR & Heritage
tiffany.bourre@hbc.com| 416-571-1301
GORD DOWNIE & CHANIE WENJACK FUND
Amanda Charles
Director, Marketing and Communications
Gord Downie & Chanie Wenjack Fund
amanda@downiewnjack.ca
