THE SECRET PATH Gord Downie and Jeff Lemire’s graphic novel The Secret Path tells the story of Chanie Wenjack, a 12-year old boy who died while fleeing a residential school. Residential schools were government-operated institutions aimed at separating Indigenous children from their families and traditions in order to assimilate them into Canadian culture. The children were subject to significant emotional and physical abuse. The Downie Wenjack Fund’s goal is to continue the conversation that Chanie’s story begins with the Legacy of residential schools, and help the healing process through a combination of awareness and education.

A CHANCE TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE

The Gord Downie & Chanie Wenjack Legacy Room Project is an opportunity for all Canadians to answer Gord Downie’s call to action for reconciliation with our Indigenous communities:

“Do something.” Are We Listening?

HOW DOES IT WORK? The Legacy Room is any space - be it in a business, school, office, restaurant, hotel… where people who use the room will have the opportunity to learn the story of Chanie Wenjack, the history he represents, and be inspired to act in the name of reconciliation.

OPEN A DOORWAY TO RECONCILIACTION

MAKE A COMMITMENT TO THE LEGACY

After registering, the applicant organization will receive:

Gord Downie & Chanie Wenjack Legacy Room plaque to be displayed at the entrance to the Room

A framed Legacy Room print featuring photographs of Gord Downie and Chanie Wenjack

A Legacy Room Welcome Package Access to ongoing information from

the Downie Wenjack Fund

LEGACY ROOM COMMEMORATIVE PLAQUE The Downie Wenjack Legacy Room plaque is the signature item that connects all Legacy Rooms together.

The plaque is designed to be displayed at the entrance of the Legacy Room to identify the space as an act and commitment towards reconciliACTION.

HOW TO APPLY TO BE A LEGACY ROOM PARTNER

To qualify, we ask that partners:

Be committed to doing the work of reconciliation as an organization

Provide information about the story of the Legacy Room, Chanie Wenjack and reconciliation to staff and visitors

Be committed as an organization to an equitable workplace

Commit to a $5000 annual donation to the Gord Downie & Chanie Wenjack Fund

DONATION

$5,000/yr 5 years

Donations can be made as a one-time five year commitment, annually paid, and/or fundraised through local initiatives

RECONCILIACTIONS

Your donation to the Gord Downie & Chanie Wenjack Fund will support reconciliation education initiatives and be invested in community-based, grassroots reconciliACTION projects through our Downie Wenjack Fund ReconciliACTION program.

To get started with your Legacy Room

Purva Chury, Development Associate purva@downiewenjack.ca

(416) 646-2278, ext 203

DO SOMETHING

Thank you!