Warning: tears ahead.
Tragically Hip frontman Gord Downie has arguably done more for Canada’s First Nations reconciliation efforts than entire governments, the most recent commitment being the release of a graphic novel, music album and movie that tells the story of 12-year-old Ojibway boy Chanie Wenjac. During the band’s final show, he notably called on Canadians and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to step up and do more for communities in the North.
Yesterday, the Assembly of First Nations honoured the iconic Canadian artist with an immensely powerful ceremony that left Downie in tears throughout. It was undoubtedly one of the most moving moments of reconciliation efforts we’ve seen:
From Global News:
The Assembly gave Downie a star blanket and he participated in a naming ceremony; he was given the name Wicapi Omani, which means “walks with the stars” in the Lakota language.
The blanket is traditionally wrapped around the recipient to convey warmth and to protect its wearer from loneliness, and it is considered a very high honour. Chiefs from across Canada have gathered for three days of meetings to discuss issues including resource development, the aboriginal youth suicide crisis and missing and murdered indigenous women.
“Gord Downie is shining a light on the inequality experienced by indigenous peoples,” said National Chief Bellegarde.
“Today, we lift up and honour Gord Downie, whose words and music have introduced millions of Canadians to the story of Chanie Wenjack, a young boy who has come to represent the thousands of children subjected to the Residential Schools system, just one of the many who was taken from his family never to see them again.”
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, whose recent approval of a major pipeline expansion has been largely criticized by First Nations communities, was also in attendance.
“We must become one. We must walk down a path of reconciliation as one. This is the first day of forever, the greatest day of my life,” Downie said with the PM looking on.
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