From 2023 Youth Ambassador Program applications opening, to new reconciliACTIONs and Legacy Spaces, here are just a few of the things we are working on at DWF!
Wine Rack store managers and DWF representatives celebrate $100,000 raised through the in-store campaign.
For the second year in a row, Wine Rack stores across Ontario raised funds and awareness in support of DWF. The donation campaign began on September 30, the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, and continued into October. This year, Wine Rack surpassed its goal of $80,000 and raised a total of $100,000 in support of DWF.
Wine Rack and DWF broadened their relationship by inviting all employees to participate in Walk for Wenjack in October during Secret Path Week (Oct. 17-22, 2022). Employees throughout the country walked to raise awareness of the true history of residential schools and to help ensure Chanie’s legacy lives on.
Wine Rack and Arterra will also be providing employees with learning opportunities and activities throughout the year to further educate and support their journey toward reconciliation.
The grade 9 and 10 Indigenous Studies class at Windsor Park Collegiate in Manitoba took a special interest in the meaning behind Indigenous Veteran’s Day. Students took time to research information and then shared it with their peers. Students then collaborated to create special pins/poppies that they could give to every staff member and student. Attached to pins was information related to Indigenous Veteran’s Day, along with a QR code that brought them to the Last Post Fund where they could make a donation.
The Social Justice Committee at Amherst Regional High School in Nova Scotia organized a school-wide Walk for Wenjack involving all 650 students. Students walked around their school community with handmade informative signs, pausing for a moment of silence which was followed by the Mi’kmaq Honour Song. They were also joined by a guest speaker who shared their experience of having family members who attended residential schools.
Past Youth Ambassador participants during their ReconciliACTION Showcase.
DWF is excited to offer the Youth Ambassador Program in partnership with RBC Future Launch again this summer. We are looking for 100 youth participants! This program offers youth the opportunity to gain practical work experience, network, strengthen 21st-century skills, and gain leadership experience while learning from Indigenous peoples about their worldviews, knowledge, rights, and perspectives.
This 4-week leadership training program will engage Indigenous and non-Indigenous youth online, in part-time work that will support them to become champions of reconciliation in their schools and communities.
At the end of the program, participants will receive an honorarium for their participation and have the chance to make lasting change through our volunteer Youth Ambassador Committee.
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Anna created a local nature group for both Indigenous and non-Indigenous youth with a focus on land and how we can be more respectful, sustainable, and connected. To further their understanding, Anna’s group spends time partaking in nature walks, reading, engaging with knowledgeable speakers, and visiting their local Indigenous Food and Medicine Garden.
Emma helped to paint sidewalks in her community to spread awareness. Each sidewalk was painted orange with white feathers to represent Every Child Matters. Emma hopes that by taking part in this collaborative project it will allow community members to get involved and generate a dialogue.
Learn directly from Indigenous artists, musicians, and writers during DWF LIVE. Legacy Schools are encouraged to sign up for a classroom spot so youth can be on camera with the Artist Ambassador and ask questions in a virtual classroom setting. Everyone can tune in through DWF’s YouTube, Facebook, and Twitter channels.
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DWF LIVE: Paul Pike | Musician and ComposerA Mi’kmaw musician and composer, Paul Pike is from Corner Brook, Newfoundland. 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 Newfoundland. February 22 at 1PM ET
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Bimbo Canada’s Moncton, NB facility is home to one of their four Legacy Spaces.
In December, our partners at Bimbo Canada opened their fourth Legacy Space in just one year. The launch was celebrated with nearly 200 production associates at their Moncton, New Brunswick facility, which also features a large print of a mural by DWF Artist Ambassador, Blake Angeconeb, on the outside of the building. Bimbo Canada now has Legacy Spaces in Toronto, Winnipeg, and the first two spaces to be created in Montreal and the province of New Brunswick. During Secret Path Week, their team took part in a Walk for Wenjack across all locations and raised a total of $5,850 for DWF and collectively walked 1,649 kms. We can’t wait to see more reconciliACTIONs from Bimbo Canada over the coming year!
Accenture Canada’s Legacy Space in Toronto is one of six they have planned for their national offices.
Earlier this month, Accenture Canada launched their second Legacy Space inside their Toronto office. The space features a multi-dimensional sculpture called Migizi, or the Eagle, that represents the teaching of love and our connection with the Seven Grandfather Teachings. This unique piece was created by DWF Artist Ambassador, Nyle Miigizi Johnston from Chippewas of Nawash Unceded First Nation. The event began with a sunrise ceremony led by Nyle, and featured words from our President & CEO, Sarah Midanik, along with Mike Downie, and Accenture team members who helped bring this project to life. We look forward to sharing more updates as Accenture develops four more Legacy Spaces in Calgary, Ottawa, Vancouver, and Montreal!
Welcome to our latest Legacy Spaces partner, Gibson Energy! They have committed to creating four Legacy Spaces in western Canada over the next five years, including the first one in Saskatchewan!
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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
Legacy Schools: Catch up on all Things DWF! 