A scene from Secret Path, an animated film adaptation of Gord Downie's album and Jeff Lemire's graphic novel by the same name. A screening of Secret Path is being held at Bruce County Museum & Cultural Centre on Monday, October 21, 2024 at 10:30am and 6pm.
Everybody has their own reason to “Walk for Wenjack” in 2024. In a July 22, 2024 media release from Bruce County, for some, it may be a moment to honour Chanie Wenjack and the many others like him. For others, it may be an opportunity to raise awareness of the true history of residential schools.
Beginning in 2016, the Gord Downie and Chanie Wenjack Fund has been challenging all people in Canada to “Do Something” meaningful. Along with community partners, Bruce County is inviting everyone to participate in upcoming Walk for Wenjack events planned this summer and fall in the communities of Neyaashiinigmiing, Wiarton, and Southampton.
"These events offer an opportunity to come together as a community, in the spirit of reconciliACTION, to walk, learn, and reflect on the more than 600 kilometres Chanie Wenjack needed to get home," read the release.
In 1966, Chanie Wenjack ran away from Cecilia Jeffrey Residential School in Kenora, Ontario. He walked for 36 hours along the train tracks before dying of exposure on October 22. He was just 12 years old. His death sparked the first inquest into the treatment of Indigenous children in the residential school system. Chanie’s story, tragically, is like so many stories of Indigenous children in this country.
Local Walk for Wenjack events:
Thursday, August 15, 2024 – Cape Croker Park, Neyaashiinigmiing
1pm refreshments provided. Gather at the Arbour
Friday, October 18, 2024 – Wiarton
1pm refreshments provided. Gather at Bluewater Park
Monday, October 21, 2024 – Southampton
1pm refreshments provided. Gather at Fairy Lake Pavilion
Secret Path Screenings
Bruce County Museum & Cultural Centre
Monday, October 21, 2024 – 10:30am and 6pm
Secret Path Week, October 17 to October 22, aims to move reconciliation forward by bringing Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples together to create awareness, share, and learn.
All events are free to attend. Donations to the Nawash Food Bank will be accepted and the first 20 donations at each event will receive a prize from the Downie Wenjack Fund.
Walk for Wenjack events in Bruce County are hosted in partnership with Cape Croker Park, Kitaamgwedaagwad Gindasswin Adult Learning Centre, Chippewas of Nawash Unceded First Nation Chief & Council, Bruce County, Bruce County Museum & Cultural Centre, Nuclear Waste Management Organization, and Bruce Power.
For more information and event updates, please visit https://www.brucemuseum.ca/event/walk-for-wenjack-events/.
Discover more about Chanie Wenjack:
Heritage Minutes: Chanie Wenjack
Chanie's Life Journey (Story Map)
Gord Downie’s “The Secret Path”
DWF Recommended Resources
