DWF In The News

It’s been ten years since The Tragically Hip frontman Gord Downie made it his final mission in life to help Canada reconcile with its Indigenous people via his multi-media Secret Path project.

Fifty per cent of each ticket to the showing in Nanaimo will go toward the Gord Downie – Charlie Wenjack fund, which was established as part of Downie’s Reconcili-Action initiatives by the Gord Downie & Chanie Wenjack Fund.

 A decade later, people aren’t just remembering the Hip. They’re actively still listening, still discovering, still finding themselves in those lyrics for the first time. And that’s what people should remember them for. Not just the hits, though there are plenty of those, “Bobcaygeon,” “Courage,” “Grace, Too,” songs that are practically wired into the Canadian nervous system at this point. It’s the truth underneath all of it.

The Tragically Hip: A National Celebration will air Canada-wide at 7 p.m. ET/8 p.m. AT/8:30 NT on CBC-TV and CBC Gem. The rebroadcast will begin with a short film by Gord Downie's brother, Mike, called A Beautiful Thing, which includes behind-the-scenes tour footage and notable Canadians sharing what The Hip means to them.

A replica of the purple hat that Downie wore during the final tour with the Tragically Hip in 2016 is up for bid at Gala Bid. Proceeds from the auction will go towards the Gord Downie and Chanie Wenjack Fund.

Relive a defining moment in Canadian music history with the CBC rebroadcast of 2016’s The Tragically Hip: A National Celebration at Studio Bell, home of the National Music Centre.

The Hip, Loverboy songwriters Mike Reno and Paul Dean, Feist and Roch Voisine will be inducted at Massey Hall on Sept. 26.

The Secret Path celebrates its ten-year anniversary of the project’s release this year. It has been sixty years since Chanie Wenjack’s death. The Secret Path was created by songwriter Gord Downie. This was his last project created before his unfortunate passing in 2017.

On March 12 at 7:30 p.m., Wayne Kaulbach will be celebrating the music, the life, and the legacy of Gord Downie with his ‘One Man Tragically Hip Cover Band’.

A large crowd attended the official opening of the Gord Downie & Chanie Wenjack Fund Legacy Space at Canadore College on November 12.

The Minoshkite Indigenous Music & Arts Festival is returning for a third year and has expanded to take place over two nights: Nov. 13 and 14. The event is presented by the Gord Downie & Chanie Wenjack Fund (DWF), Red Music Rising (RMR) and Canada’s Music Incubator (CMI).

Music and storytelling come together for an evening in support of the Gord Downie & Chanie Wenjack Fund at the Black Bellows parlour room on Nov. 7.

When Canadian Tire learned that it had come out on top of a bidding war to own the Hudson’s Bay stripes this summer, one of its marketing executives said the feeling was comparable only to the most magical time of year.

Community members gathered at Riverbend Park on Oct. 21 for the Walkerton Walk for Wenjack, one of many events of its kind supporting the Downie-Wenjack Fund (DWF) and raising awareness of the impacts of residential schools.

People gathered in Amhertsview, Ont., this week to celebrate the opening of the latest Downie Wenjack Fund legacy space.

A new Gord Downie & Chanie Wenjack Legacy Space has opened at the W.J. Henderson Recreation Centre in Amherstview, marking an important step toward truth and reconciliation in Loyalist Township.

The relationship between Canada and its Indigenous peoples took centre stage in downtown St. Catharines Thursday night with a live performance of Gord Downie’s album “Secret Path.”

Today marks the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. On this important day, President and CEO of the Downie Wenjack Fund, Sarah Midanik, spoke about the following.

In recognition of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, hundreds of broadcasters in Canada are coming together for the fifth year in a row to amplify Indigenous voices with A DAY TO LISTEN 2025. Produced by the Gord Downie & Chanie Wenjack Fund (DWF) in partnership with Orbyt Media, the 12-hour broadcast airs on radio stations throughout Canada on Tuesday, September 30, from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. (local time).

United Way Simcoe Muskoka is proud to announce that its Real2Reel Film Festival will feature Gord Downie’s The Secret Path at the Five Points Theatre in Barrie on Sept. 24, 2025.

The revitalized centre will feature a new 8-lane, 25-metre pool, a warm-water leisure pool, improved arena facilities, green energy upgrades, better accessibility, and an Indigenous Legacy Space in partnership with the Gord Downie & Chanie Wenjack Fund.

Kamamooshkaming Sagiiwehwining: Indigenous Music & Arts Festival has unveiled the full artist lineup, schedule, and market vendors for the event's two-day takeover of Sankofa Square in Downtown Toronto. Presented by the Gord Downie & Chanie Wenjack Fund (DWF), in partnership with Canada's Music Incubator and Sankofa Square, the festival will take place from May 30 to 31 in honour of the beginning of Indigenous History Month.

On March 29th, Canada’s top Tragically Hip tribute act Grace, 2 returns to the Empire stage in support of the Gord Downie & Chanie Wenjack Fund. The band is terrific and the cause is wonderful. The stated goal of the Downie/Wenjack fund is “to improve the lives of Indigenous people by building awareness, education, and connections between all peoples in Canada.”

CIFAR has launched a Legacy Space in partnership with the Gord Downie & Chanie Wenjack Fund (DWF) to facilitate meaningful conversations on Canada’s true history and our collective journey toward reconciliation. The Legacy Space was unveiled in a ceremony at CIFAR’s Toronto office on March 3 and features artwork by Blake Angeconeb, an Anishinaabe woodlands artist from Treaty 3 territory.

The Ottawa Senators are back on the ice tomorrow night at 7:00 p.m. ET when they take on the Winnipeg Jets for the second and final time this season. Tickets to the game are available HERE for purchase! Canadian Tire Centre will not only be hosting a hockey game tomorrow night. The Senators are set to host The Tragically Hip night at tomorrow night's game. Gord Downie’s brothers, Patrick and Mike, will be in attendance and take part in a ceremonial puck drop. As well, the night will feature intermission performances by Road Apples: the original and premier tribute to The Tragically Hip.

The Toronto Raptors have a new logo courtesy of painter Luke Swinson, a Mississaugas of Scugog Island citizen. Swinson, from Kitchener, has become renowned for his murals and beautifully flowing designs in recent years. Last year, Luke Swinson provided a Downie-Wenjack Legacy Space to GM Canada. Swinson wrote this was an important location for him to contribute to given his familial connection to GM.

Recognizing women who strive to make a difference in their communities. Sarah Midanik, a proud member of the Métis Nation of Alberta, is the President and CEO of the Gord Downie & Chanie Wenjack Fund, where she drives reconciliation efforts between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Canadians. A committed advocate, Sarah serves on multiple boards, including the Boys and Girls Clubs of Canada and the Canadian Council for Indigenous Business. Her passion lies in advancing opportunities for Indigenous people and communities.

Four graduates from the MBA and Commerce programs at the University of Toronto’s Rotman School of Management were named by the Women’s Executive Network (WXN) to the 2024 list of Canada’s Most Powerful Women: Top 100 Award Winners. The annual awards program recognizes 103 outstanding women across Canada for their leadership and groundbreaking achievements that have meaningfully transformed their industries, companies, communities, and country. The award winners will be recognized at a gala in Toronto on November 27.

Elvis, Lennon, Cobain, MJ, Bowie, Prince — the death of these cultural icons left a seismic hole in the hearts of music fans. In Canada, north of the 49th parallel’s thin divide, one more name is added: Downie, as in Gord Downie, the late frontman for rock band the Tragically Hip.

Bruce County and the Neyaashiinigmiing Adult Learning Centre is hosting two "Walks for Wenjack" during Secret Path Week later this month, to raise awareness of the true history of residential schools. This is the third year the organizations have collaborated together on these events meant to honour Gord Downie and Chanie Wenjack, as well as encourage steps toward reconciliation.

Everybody has their own reason to “Walk for Wenjack” during Secret Path Week (October 17 to October 22). For some, it may be a moment to honour Chanie Wenjack and the many others like him. For others, it may be an opportunity to raise awareness of the true history of residential schools.

Join us on September 30 between 6 am and 6 pm ET, the National Day for Truth & Reconciliation, when radio stations throughout Canada, including SiriusXM’s The Tragically Hip Radio, North Americana, Top of the Country Radio, and Poplandia, will come together to amplify Indigenous voices with special guests. January Rogers, Julian Taylor, and Kim Wheeler will be your hosts for A Day to Listen 2024. For more information, visit adaytolisten.ca.

Tim Hortons and its restaurant owners across Canada are proud to share that for a fourth year in a row, the Orange Sprinkle Donut fundraising campaign is returning on Sept. 30 in support of Indigenous organizations. On Sept. 30, 100 per cent of the proceeds from the sales of Orange Sprinkle Donuts will be donated to the Orange Shirt Society, the Indian Residential School Survivors Society, New Pathways Foundation in Quebec, and new this year, the Gord Downie & Chanie Wenjack Fund, and Ulnooweg Education Fund.

The Gord Downie & Chanie Wenjack Fund has a new artist ambassador, the Mississaugas of Scugog Island citizen and painter Luke Swinson. Swinson, from Kitchener, has become renowned for his murals and beautifully flowing designs in recent years. Last year, Luke Swinson provided a Downie-Wenjack Legacy Space to GM Canada. Swinson wrote this was an important location for his to contribute to given his familial connection to GM.

PwC Canada has announced its commitment to the Progressive Aboriginal Relations (PAR) program, reinforcing its dedication to advancing Indigenous reconciliation efforts. The PAR program, established in 2001 by the Canadian Council for Indigenous Business (CCIB), aims to support progressive improvements in Indigenous relations. It evaluates performance in four key areas: Leadership Actions, Employment, Business Development, and Community Relations (Engagement and Support).

The Community Arts Mentorship Program (C.A.M.P.) in Saskatchewan has been awarded a substantial grant through the Oshki Wupoowane | The Blanket Fund's Capacity Building Grant, marking a significant milestone for Indigenous-led initiatives in the province.

Hudson's Bay Foundation and the Gord Downie & Chanie Wenjack Fund are pleased to announce the first round of grant recipients of Oshki Wupoowane | The Blanket Fund's Capacity Building Grant. 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.

It's finally March, and it feels like the great thaw might finally be commencing. Signs of spring are starting to pop up, like Toronto's Ziigwan Indigenous music and arts festival — a free musical celebration of new beginnings.

MONEY RAISED WILL HELP ACCELERATE RACIAL EQUITY IN CANADA

In partnership with the Gord Downie & Chanie Wenjack Fund…

CBC - The Hudson's Bay Foundation and the Gord Downie & Chanie Wenjack Fund have announced that from now on, 100 per cent of the net proceeds from the sale of HBC's famed striped wool blankets will provide support for Indigenous cultural, artistic and educational activities through a newly launched initiative called Oshki Wupoowane — The Blanket Fund.

Fengate Asset Management ("Fengate"), is proud to unveil a Legacy…

Toronto kids taught about residential schools' lasting impact…

Mexico-based baked goods giant Grupo Bimbo’s Canadian operations…

A local foundation has raised $21,500 for the Chanie Wenjack…

Gord Downie is gone, but his message must remain with Canadi…

Toronto Star - Students from JA Laird Elementary School have welcomed community feedback from businesses in the Columbia Valley, and even from some residential school survivors, on a recent school project.

Timmins Today - Moosonee Public School (MPS) has taken the next step in raising awareness about residential schools by registering to be a Legacy School.

Sentinel Review - Students at École secondaire Notre Dame in Woodstock learned about missing and murdered Indigenous women in Canada and the shameful legacy of residential school in a ceremony on Thursday afternoon.

NWMO - The Gord Downie & Chanie Wenjack Fund (DWF) and the Nuclear Waste Management Organization (NWMO) today announced plans to work together to create a meaningful pathway for Reconciliation.

A Journal of Musical Things - Gord Downie would’ve celebrated his 56th birthday on February 6. As has become tradition, Buffalo’s Strictly Hip is throwing a party to benefit the Gord Downie & Wenjack Fund, inviting along some friends to help keep Downie’s spirit alive and to answer his call to Do Something in the name of reconciliation.

Simcoe Reformer - Students at Waterford Public School participated in the school’s first Walk for Wenjack event. Grades 3 through 8 attended an assembly Monday to learn about the story of Chanie Wenjack, an Anishinaabe boy who died in 1966 at the age of 12 when he escaped a residential school.

CTV News - Two years after his death, Gord Downie’s memorable concert performance of his Secret Path album, was recreated by performers in Toronto Saturday night.

The Loop - It’s been two years since The Tragically Hip’s lead singer and lyricist Gord Downie passed away. One of the many legacies Downie left behind is his story of The Secret Path, a collection of 10 poems inspired by the life of Chanie Wenjack, a 12-year-old boy who was abused in one of our country’s residential schools. Downie has turned Chanie’s story into a national movement to raise awareness about the mistreatment of Indigenous people, and the path for reconciliation.

The late Gord Downie’s brother, Mike Downie, and Sarah Midanik…

The Kingston Whig Standard - Of the many musicians playing at the Gord Downie tribute show Saturday evening, two have a personal connection to the late Tragically Hip frontman.

Our 2018-2019 Annual Report has been released. Filled with information on our programs, what we've achieved in our first year, and much more!

North Shore News - It’s a simple story, and yet so difficult for some to comprehend how it could happen in Canada.

The film, documenting the last year of Gord Downie's life, premieres…

The Chanie Wenjack School for Indigenous Studies at Trent University…

Daisy Munroe says frontman's visit north to launch project, meet…

The Gord Downie and Chanie Wenjack Fund, which supports connections…

With "Secret Path," Gord Downie (centre) collaborates with Pearl…

Gord Downie's new album to be released in October is dedicated…