Gord's Legacy: Rock and Reconciliation With An All-Star Cast
By David DeRocco dave@gobeweekly.com https://twitter.com/?lang=en
There’s no accurate measure of the lasting impact Gord Downie had on the Canadian psyche. Through his music and poetry, Gord appealed to an entire generation of Canadian music fans and inspired them to dig a little deeper into what it means to be Canadian.
In his later years, Gord asked us to consider what it meant to be an Indigenous Canadian in a country that too often has forsaken its First Nations peoples. Gord Downie spent his final days shining a light on the reconciliation with Canada’s First Peoples and asked all Canadians to join the call to action. A group of Canadian artists have joined our collective reconciliation journey with the Gord's Legacy concert to help to promote awareness, education and thoughtful action.
In collaboration with The Gord Downie & Chanie Wenjack Fund, the FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre (PAC) presents a special evening to celebrate the man, the music and his legacy. Featured artists performing songs by Downie and The Tragically Hip will include Royal Wood, Tom Wilson, Dala, Twin Flames and more. The concert will be followed by a communal Hip singalong around a sacred fire directly behind the PAC in downtown St. Catharines.
Funds raised will go directly to the Downie/Wenjack Fund, the charitable project and reconciliatory vision established by Gord and his brother Mike Downie which is committed to improving the lives of First Peoples.
“We are so proud to see our brother Gord’s mission being carried on and funds for his foundation being raised, through these incredible Legacy performances, and we are grateful to all of the artists, audiences and presenters for joining in his call to action to 'Do Something.'” – Mike and Patrick Downie
Downie announced the establishment of The Gord Downie & Chanie Wenjack Fund and release of his solo album, graphic novel, and animated film Secret Path, in October 2016, six months after he revealed he had terminal brain cancer. The singer was inspired by the story of Chanie Wenjack, a 12-year-old boy who died while running away from the Cecilia Jeffrey Indian Residential School near Kenora, Ontario in 1966.
Downie used his final public appearances, including his final concert tour with The Tragically Hip, to encourage reconciliation with Canada's Indigenous Peoples.
The concert happens Friday, October 19th at 7:30PM at the FirstOntario PAC.
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