Neyaashiinigmiing – August 15th, Wiarton – October 18th
Media Release
July 22, 2024 – Everybody has their own reason to “Walk for Wenjack” in 2024. 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 & Chanie Wenjack Fund has been challenging all people in Canada to “Do Something” meaningful. Bruce County, along with their valuable community partners, invite you to participate in upcoming Walk for Wenjack events planned in Neyaashiinigmiing, Wiarton, and Southampton this summer and fall. 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 kilometers Chanie Wenjack needed to get home.
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. 1:00 PM refreshments provided. Gather at the Arbour.
• Friday, October 18, 2024 – Wiarton. 1:00 PM refreshments provided. Gather at Bluewater Park.
• Monday, October 21, 2024 – Southampton. 1:00 PM refreshments provided. Gather at Fairy Lake Pavilion
Secret Path Screenings
Bruce County Museum & Cultural Centre on Monday, October 21, 2024 – 10:30 AM and 6:00 PM.
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 admission. 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/
