It seemed like every time Downie’s story had the perfect exit point, an ideal period on the end the gloriously evocative sentence his life has written, his story just kept going. But I confess that, as it progressed, I began to wonder if it was really a final act at all. I suspect we’ll look back at Downie’s final act with great fondness and appreciation: a man running out of time, determined to make the most of what he had left. Mere weeks ago, in late September, Downie suddenly announced a new solo record, Introduce Yourself, a double album produced by Secret Path collaborator Kevin Drew (of Broken Social Scene) due out at the end of October. Then, unexpectedly, there was Secret Path, a powerful multimedia project with illustrator Jeff Lemire that brought Chanie Wenjack’s harrowing story to a whole new generation and sparked the Gord Downie & Chanie Wenjack Fund in support of reconciliation efforts. There was The Tragically Hip’s farewell tour-never called such explicitly, but with the subtext clear enough to compel millions of Canadians to gather in front of their TV sets and in public spaces (in my case, Halifax’s Grand Parade) to watch the nationally broadcast final show from Kingston, Ontario. But I stalled, time and time again, as Downie’s final act kept extending into something worthy of consideration on its own. It was less a morbid exercise than a practical one: as the front man and lyricist of one of the most beloved Canadian rock bands of all time, Downie’s legacy deserves discussion, consideration, celebration, and doing so in short order following his eventual passing felt as if it wouldn’t do it justice. The Gord Downie and Chanie Wenjack Fund was established as a catalyst to jumpstart reconciliation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Peoples.ĭownie was honoured with the Lakota spirit name “Wicapi Omani” or “He Who Walks Amongst the Stars” at the Assembly of First Nations national assembly last December.I started writing something about Gord Downie pretty much the moment his terminal cancer diagnosis was announced last year. Travelling on foot in an attempt to make the 1,000-kilometre journey home to Ogoki Post, his body was found on October 23 along railroad tracks approximately 60 kilometres from the school near Kenora, Ontario. It marked the 50th anniversary of the death of 12-year-old Chanie “Charlie” Wenjack, who died on Octoafter fleeing Cecilia Jeffrey Indian Residential School in northwestern Ontario. Grand Chief Fiddler was with Gord Downie when he launched his Secret Path multi-media project in Marten Falls First Nation on September 9, 2016. Gord knew this wouldn’t be easy, but I pray that my friend has inspired us all to get moving.” We will forever be touched by Gord’s compassion and commitment to guide us along the path to reconciliation. Gord restored the dignity and innocence of a little boy who only wanted to go home, and we have been humbled by his determination to share the story of Chanie and all of our youth who never made it home. I have been deeply moved by Gord’s work with the Wenjack family to bring the history of the Indian Residential School system to a national audience. My dear friend took the country by storm last year with his heartfelt call to action, and exposed dark truths about this country like no one before him. “Words cannot express our sorrow and our thoughts and prayers are with Gord’s brothers Mike and Patrick, and all of their family and friends. THUNDER BAY, ON: Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN) Grand Chief Alvin Fiddler, on behalf of the Executive Council, has issued the following statement following the passing of legendary musician Gord Downie: Gord Downie on the Onakawana River in Moosonee.
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