Secret Path Week

October 17 – 22

What is Secret Path Week?

Secret Path Week is a national movement commemorating the legacies of Gord Downie and Chanie Wenjack. October 17th and 22nd respectively mark the dates that Gord Downie and Chanie Wenjack joined the spirit world.

We invite all people in Canada to use Secret Path Week to answer Gord Downie’s call to action, to Do Something to move reconciliation forward.

Watch: The Secret Path Watch: Finding the Secret Path (Gord Downie Documentary)

DWF LIVE: The Four Sacred Medicines

Sarah Loretta Schuster (Zhaawashkwaa-Giizhigong-Biish-Kwe) is an Anishinaabe community organizer, hand drummer, traditional craft artist, and medicine gardener with maternal ties to Lac des Mille Lacs First Nation in Northwestern Ontario.

Sarah hosts this four-part series, exploring the spiritual, cultural, and practical significance of the Four Sacred Medicines – tobacco, sweetgrass, sage, and cedar – through storytelling, teachings, and hands-on demonstrations. Throughout this series, Sarah guides viewers through each medicine’s harvesting, preparation, ceremonial protocols, and living practices, emphasizing relationship, reciprocity, and connection to the medicine wheel.

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Friday, October 17 | Episode 1: Tobacco (East)

The first episode of the series explores tobacco, known in Anishinaabemowin as asemaa. Sarah shares the significance of this Sacred Medicine and its deep connection to gratitude and communication with the Creator. Viewers learn about tobacco’s place on the Medicine Wheel and how to prepare a traditional tobacco tie while reflecting on the teachings and responsibilities that come with using asemaa in a respectful way.

This video is suitable for all ages.

Watch on YouTube Lesson Plan (English) Plan de leçon (Français)

Monday, October 20 | Episode 2: Sweetgrass (South)

This episode explores sweetgrass, known in Anishinaabemowin as wiingashk, a medicine that represents kindness and healing. Sarah shares the traditional method of harvesting and braiding sweetgrass, explaining the cultural and spiritual meaning behind the three strands of the braid and the teachings connected to the number seven. She reflects on the care, patience, and respect involved in preparing this medicine and what it teaches us about balance and connection.

This video is suitable for all ages.

Watch on YouTube Lesson Plan (English) Plan de leçon (Français)

Tuesday, October 21 | Episode 3: Sage (West)

This episode focuses on sage, or mashkodewashk in Anishinaabemowin, a medicine known for its cleansing and purifying properties. Sarah discusses the different types of sage and which varieties can grow in our region, and offers teachings on how to harvest and bundle the medicine with care. She also speaks to the importance of ethically sourcing sage – and shares what tending to this plant has taught her about humility and renewal.

This video is suitable for all ages.

Watch on YouTube Lesson Plan (English) Plan de leçon (Français)

Wednesday, October 22 | Episode 4: Cedar (North)

The final episode explores cedar, known in Anishinaabemowin as giizhik, a medicine that offers protection and healing. Sarah explains where cedar is placed on the Medicine Wheel and how to harvest and bundle it respectfully. She shares how cedar has been a source of strength in her life, from planting cedar trees to preparing cedar tea, and reminds viewers that the most important teaching connected to this medicine is respect.

This video is suitable for all ages.

Watch on YouTube Lesson Plan (English) Plan de leçon (Français)

Secret Path Unit Plan for Educators (Grades 6-12)

This seven-part Secret Path DWF Lesson Plan Series is designed to integrate the First Peoples’ Principles of Learning with the Four R’s of Indigenous Education — Respect, Relevance, Reciprocity, and Responsibility — within the framework of the Ontario Curriculum.

Through an interdisciplinary, culturally responsive approach, these lessons aim to deepen students’ understanding of Indigenous histories, worldviews, and present-day realities. Grounded in relationship-building, art, history and storytelling, the series supports educators in fostering reconciliation through meaningful, action-oriented education.

Lesson Plan (English) Plan de leçon (Français)

Walk for Wenjack

Walk for Wenjack began in 2016 as a grassroots event organized by a dedicated team of volunteers. The first walk retraced the steps of Chanie Wenjack, a 12-year-old Anishinaabe boy who died after escaping residential school. He was attempting to reach his family 600km away. The memorial walk started at the Cecilia Jeffrey Residential School in Kenora, ON and continued to Redditt, ON, where a ceremony was held near his final resting place in Farlane, ON.

Since then, Walk for Wenjack has become a way for both Indigenous and non-Indigenous people throughout Canada to learn, reflect, and meaningfully engage with Secret Path Week. Some walk to honour Chanie’s memory, while others use the event to raise awareness of the history and lasting impact of residential schools. Every Walk for Wenjack is unique.

Walk for Wenjack events can be held anytime during the year, but we invite you to join us this year in planning your walk during Secret Path Week.

Walk for Wenjack Lesson Plan for Educators (Grades 4-12+)

Learn about the life and legacy of Chanie Wenjack
Understand the history and impact of residential schools throughout Canada
Take reconciliACTION by participating in a student led Walk for Wenjack
Inspire community awareness and personal commitment to reconciliACTION

Lesson Plan (English)

Our new Walk for Wenjack guides help participants to register on behalf of a Legacy Space, Legacy School, individual, or team and log kilometers and fundraising activities.

Guides

#DoSomething to Move Reconciliation Forward this Secret Path Week

A reconciliACTION is a meaningful action that moves reconciliation forward. ReconciliACTIONs aim to bring Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples together in the spirit of reconciliation to create awareness, share, and learn. Take ReconciliACTION in your community this Secret Path Week.

Submit your reconciliACTION on our online form for a chance to be featured on our social media!

Submit your ReconciliACTION

Support the Gord Downie & Chanie Wenjack Fund

Your donation contributes to reconciliation in Canada by supporting programs, campaigns, and events that serve to bring Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples and communities together.

Online donations of $5.00 or more are eligible for a charitable tax receipt.

To donate by mail, please make cheques payable to ‘Gord Downie & Chanie Wenjack Fund’ and mail them to PO Box 749, Ohsweken, ON NOA 1M0

Donations of $10.00 or more received by mail are eligible for a charitable tax receipt.

If you are having issues with our online form or do not receive a confirmation email, please contact jenna@downiewenjack.ca.

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The Gord Downie & Chanie Wenjack Fund

Registered Charity Number: 784055915RR0001

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About DWF

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

E-mail: staff@downiewenjack.ca
Toll-free: 1-833-666-2414
Local: 519-964-0393

Address:
PO BOX 749
OHSWEKEN, ON
N0A1M0