Bruce County is hosting a number of Walking for Wenjack events this month.
Walking for Wenjack is an event inspired by the Gord Downie and Chanie Wenjack Fund back in 2016. The event is in honour of Chanie Wenjack, who ran away from Cecilia Jeffrey Residential School in Kenora, Ontario in 1966.
Wenjack walked for 36 hours along the train tracks before dying of exposure on October 22. He was just 12 years old. Wenjack's death caused the first inquests into the treatment of indigenous youth in residential schools.
Bruce County invites anyone who wishes to participate in Walking for Wenjack this year to come on Thursday, August 15 to Cape Croker Park, Neyaashiinigmiing, at 1:00 p.m. Walkers will gather at the arbour there.
The event is free and refreshments are provided. 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 Foundation.
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/
Discover more about Chanie Wenjack:
Chanie's Life Journey (Story Map)
Gord Downie’s “The Secret Path”
