Indigenous Reconciliation Blog - Gord Downie & Chanie Wenjack Fund

Updates from the Gord Downie & Chanie Wenjack Fund, focusing on the Legacy Spaces, Legacy Schools, The Secret Path and all the community-based events, fundraising and reconciliACTIONs going on across Canada from coast to coast to coast.

I Will Not Be Struck Song Challenge

April 21, 2021/in Blog /by DWF

“Music is the ultimate medium for expressions of love, and those expressions find a beautiful backdrop in the environment. Music is also a popular rallying point — at its central core, it’s a way for people to get in touch with the best parts of themselves and to voice the love in their hearts.” – Gord Downie

I Will Not Be Struck chords

I Will Not Be Struck piano and vocal sheet music

I Will Not Be Struck music – instrumental

Submission Form

School Song Challenge:

We want you to sing, play, dance or perform “I WILL NOT BE STRUCK” from the Secret Path.

Help us honor the 5th anniversary of the Secret Path by participating in our #legacyschoolsongchallenge. We are asking students, individuals, and artists to record a video of themselves performing “I Will Not Be Struck” from the Secret Path. Sing, dance, perform with a variety of attire and musical instruments, and consider incorporating a local Indigenous language into your performance. Be creative in expressing yourselves!

If your video is selected, it will be put into a video montage with other submissions from all over Canada, including submissions from some amazing artists like Kevin Hearn from the Secret Path Band and the Barenaked Ladies. Create a video performance and show us your spirit, your connection, your creativity and your commitment to “Do Something.”

Challenge details:

Please start your video with an introduction. Tell us your name, your schools name, your city, then your province or territory. Be sure to acknowledge the traditional Indigenous territory of the land you are on.
Sing, dance, perform and video tape your interpretation of “I Will Not Be Struck”. It can be a solo performance or with a group.
End your video submission by saying, “All My Relations” *pause* “Do Something”
Submit your video by June 30, 2021. SUBMIT HERE

We welcome and encourage submissions from all of our relations in all languages and from all regions (remote, rural, urban) in Canada.

“All my relations,” means all. When a speaker makes this statement, it’s meant as recognition of the principles of harmony, unity and equality. – R. Wagamese

Please note: We are hoping to include as many submissions as possible but due to limited space, some submissions may not make the final edit.

I Will Not Be Struck – YouTube

In this earth-like world
In this earth-like world
Before they arrived

Under this sun-like star
Under the sun-like star
They civilized

Run along the river
On the Secret Path
I will not be struck
I’m not going back

I can see my father’s face
Warming his feet by the stove
We used to have each other
Now we only have ourselves

Then I put my ear
Then I put my ear
Right against the rail

So what I couldn’t hear
What I couldn’t hear
I would feel

Run along the river
On the Secret Path
I will not be struck
I’m not going back

I been staring into space
Forever or else
Enter the wilderness
And we only have ourselves

What are Legacy Schools?

The Legacy School Program at the Gord Downie and Chanie Wenjack Fund is a free national initiative to engage, empower and connect students and educators to further reconciliation in Canada through awareness, education and action – #reconciliACTION.

All schools throughout Canada are encouraged to join the program by signing up through the registration form. We provide Legacy Schools with free educational resources and program development to help ensure that the unique interests, rights, and perspectives of Indigenous peoples are recognized and taught about in schools and communities all over the country.

Join us!

Visit LegacySchools.ca

Artist Ambassador Program

The Artist Ambassador program brings Indigenous and non-Indigenous musicians and other artists into high schools across Canada to inspire student leadership and forward the journey of reconciliation in school communities.

Artists share their art, music and stories through workshops and/or performances, and engage students in learning and conversations about reconciliation. High schools hosting Artist Ambassadors are also encouraged to have students share their own stories, art, and reconciliACTIONs with their guests.

Visit ArtistAmbassador.ca

#legacyschoolsongchallenge @DownieWenjack #DoSomething

The 2021 Spring Poster Contest is here!

March 10, 2021/in Blog /by DWF

For many Indigenous communities, creating balance among the physical, mental, spiritual, and emotional aspects of life are equally important. This year we’re asking students to reflect on how they can balance their studies and stresses while remaining healthy.

For this year’s Spring Poster Contest, students should create a poster that answers:

How does mental health influence our ties to the land, family, community, and relationships?

How does this influence their holistic wellness (physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being)?

Winning selections may appear in our Legacy School ReconciliACTION Guidebook, and the students will win an amazing prize pack from the Gord Downie & Chanie Wenjack Fund including an autographed copy of Secret Path, signed by Jeff Lemire.

Teachers with the most class participation will be entered into a draw to win a classroom set of t-shirts as well as a DWF hoodie for the teacher!

Deadline: Friday, May 14, 2021
Winners Announced: May 21, 2021 (Prizes will be mailed out to schools or homes based on safety and health measures in place in that region)
Submissions should be high quality artwork 8.5×11 inches, at 300 dpi resolution. Please submit PDF files digitally to legacyschools@downiewenjack.ca .

DWF recommends engagement with Indigenous communities at the local regional level within your district.

Here are some possible examples of resources. Please use resources that are relevant to the First Nation, Métis, and/or Inuit communities in your area:

Note: If you have difficulty obtaining resources at the local or regional level you may contact your local Friendship Centre (urban) and/or the host First Nation, Métis, Inuit community within your area (urban, rural, remote). Contact your school’s Indigenous Education Department or search online for the corresponding community contact details.

The Educator Advisory Committee Welcomes New Members

January 14, 2021/in Blog /by DWF

Following a successful meeting on Dec. 5, 2020, the Educator Advisory Committee will meet again in March. Despite the difficult and unusual school year, our Legacy Schools have done great work in their efforts towards reconciliation. Their hard work and dedication has inspired our committee to continue to work as hard as possible – despite the circumstances – to improve and add to our Legacy Schools Program.

We’re extremely proud to introduce two new members to our committee. Our new committee members join us from the East Coast, where they have been actively supporting and participating in our Legacy Schools Program. Joy Skanes from Newfoundland and Christina Sylliboy from Nova Scotia will be bringing their fresh perspectives into our discussions, and we thank them for their dedication to our Fund.

Educator Advisory Committee Members for 2019-2021

Harriet Visitor
Anishinaabe First Nation, Teacher, Chanie Wenjack’s niece, DWF Board Member, Ontario

Christina Sylliboy
Vice Principal, We’koqma’q Mikmaw School, Nova Scotia

Joy Skanes
Teacher, Leary’s Brook Junior High, Newfoundland

Krista Sherman
Dakota Sioux – Standing Buffalo Saskatchewan, Teacher, Winston Knoll Collegiate, Saskatchewan

Sharon Shadow
Champagne and Aishihik First Nations, Department of Education, Yukon

Buffy Sainte-Marie
Piapot First Nation, Teacher, Activist, Musician, Hawaii

Danielle Root
Listuguj First Nation, Mi’kmaq Education Coordinator at Conseil Scolaire Acadien Provincial (CSAP), Mi’kma’ki

Lisa Prinn
Manager, Education & Activation, Gord Downie & Chanie Wenjack Fund, Ontario

Jon Patry
Assistant Principal, James Short Memorial (Early Development Centre, K-2), Alberta

Jessica Madiratta
Piapot First Nation, Teacher, Kitchener Community School (K-6), Saskatchewan

Jen Karpiuk
Métis, Teacher, Crescent Heights High School, Alberta

Jonah Hupfield
Anishinaabekwe, Martin Clan, Wasauksing First Nation
Indigenous Studies and Anishinabemowin 9-12, Near North District School Board, Ontario

Greg Halcrow
Pimicikamak Cree Nation, Director of Education, Cross Lake Education Authority, Manitoba

James Groat
Tuscarora, Consultant Indigenous Education (K-8), District School Board of Niagara, Ontario

Sheila Francis
Mi’kmaq, Director of Education, Pictou Landing First Nation School, Nova Scotia

Kelly Fontaine
Sagkeeng First Nation, Teacher, Sagkeeng Anicinabe High School, Manitoba

Andrea Eby
Teacher, St. Bonaventure School (K-6), Ontario

Corinne Chappell
Lennox Island First Nations, Colonel Gray High School 9-12, Prince Edward Island

Brad Baker
Squamish Nation, District Principal, Indigenous Education, Safe Schools and Careers, North Vancouver School District K-12, British Columbia

Trina Allinotte
Teacher, Kitchener-Waterloo Collegiate Institute 9-12, Ontario

Pearl Achneepineskum
Anishinaabe First Nation, Chanie Wenjack’s sister, Ontario

We are currently still seeking members from Nunavut, Quebec, the Northwest Territories and Labrador. If you are from these regions you can apply here.

Appointment to the Committee is one two-year term, and when applicable, a second term may be added. Meetings will typically be held virtually four times per year.

The Educator Advisory Committee for Legacy Schools will advise current and future programs and participate in their development and quality assurance as needed. Committee members will also assist in identifying resources, including guest speakers, field placement, partnerships and various opportunities to further Legacy Schools programming.

Educator Advisory Committee members are ambassadors and liaisons between DWF, schools, students, educators and the community.

The Gord Downie & Chanie Wenjack Fund Educator Advisory Committee for Legacy Schools consists of members of First Nations, Métis, Inuit, and non-Indigenous educators. They advise on educational resources and program development for Legacy Schools to help ensure that the unique interests, rights and perspectives of Indigenous peoples are recognized and implemented in schools and communities throughout Canada. Members will also help assess and evaluate the impact of Legacy Schools, furthering DWF’s mission to improve the lives of Indigenous people by building awareness, education, and connections between all people in Canada.

The Gord Downie & Chanie Wenjack Fund

Registered Charity Number: 784055915RR0001

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 Canadians.

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Get In Touch

Phone: 1-844-944-4545

E-mail: staff@downiewenjack.ca

Address:
PO BOX 749
OHSWEKEN, ON
N0A1M0