Secret Path Week begins Saturday, October 17th through October 22nd. It is a special week to commemorate Chanie Wenjack and Gord Downie. Both dates are significant because October 17th, 2017 is when Gord Downie unfortunately passed away from brain cancer. October 22nd, 1966 marks the day Chanie Wenjack sadly passed away from hunger and exposure while trying to walk 600 kilometres to get back home after running away from residential school. Gord Downie urged Canadians to do something to make lives of Indigenous people in Canada better and safer through “reconciliACTION.” You can get involved, too, through a series of events taking place throughout the month.  

Secret Path Week events 

On October 16th, Twin Flames and Tom Wilson go live to celebrate in Gord’s legacy. October 17th includes a tribute to The Tragically Hip. On October 22nd, Walk for Wenjack takes place in remembrance of Chanie Wenjack, however organizers welcome you to host your walk anytime during Secret Path Week.  

You can commemorate them both through the rest of the month at a series of events, including a speaker series called Exploring by the Seat of Your Pants, which will feature G.R. Gritt, Theland Kicknosway, Leela Gilday, Angela Miracle Gladue and more.  

Secret Path Week 2020 events have been going on since September 25th and include the DWF Live Series which featured Buffy Sainte-Marie, a commemoration for Orange Shirt Day on September 30th and more. You can find the full schedule here. 

Photo Credit: Downie Wenjack Fund