Did Justina Trudeau jump the shark today?
- Thread starter bjjgal
- Start date
http://www.cbc.ca/news/indigenous/indigenous-leaders-gord-downie-1.4360580
Famed Tragically Hip frontman Gord Downie was nervous before the ceremony, unsure of where to stand and when to give the tobacco.
The singer, suffering from a terminal form of brain cancer, wanted to do things properly for his naming ceremony.
Assembly of First Nations National Chief Perry Bellegarde said he remembers telling Downie not to worry.
Tragically Hip's Gord Downie dead at 53
"He didn't want to make a mistake," said Bellegarde. "He wanted to do things right. He kept asking, 'Where should I stand? Should I say anything? Do I give the tobacco now?"
It was a powerful event in the ballroom of the Hilton Lac Leamy Casino in Gatineau, Que., when Downie was wrapped in a star blanket, handed an eagle feather and bestowed the name of Wicapi Omani, which is Lakota for Walks with the Stars. Downie wept during the ceremony which was held in December 2016 during the AFN's annual winter assembly.
Indigenous leaders across the country paid tribute to Downie Wednesday, after his death was announced at the age of 53. He had been battling glioblastoma.
"He felt a great honour and he was really humbled by [the ceremony]," said Bellegarde.
"We told him with the bestowing of his name, in our custom, our tradition, it helps you in this world, but it also helps you in the next world, because your relatives, that is how they'll call you, to come and help and assist you on your journey."
Using his spotlight
During the final Tragically Hip concert in Kingston, Ont. last August, Canada watched as Downie told the nation it was time to get serious about reconciliation with Indigenous communities.
Addressing Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Downie said Canadians "were trained our entire lives to ignore, trained our entire lives to hear not a word" of what was happening on northern First Nations.
"And what's going on up there ain't good. It's maybe worse than it's ever been," said Downie that night. "But we're going to get it fixed."
'We are less as a country': Prime Minister, politicians pay tribute to Gord Downie
In one of his last musical projects, Downie set out to immortalize and educate the Canadian public about residential schools through the tragic story of Chanie Wenjack, a boy from Marten Falls First Nation who was found dead on railroad tracks near Kenora, Ont., in October 1966. Wenjack had left the Cecilia Jeffrey Indian Residential School and was trying to make it home.
Downie wrote an album, The Secret Path, based on Wenjack's story and the music was included in a film based on a graphic novel about the boy's death.
A foundation was also created in Wenjack's memory and Downie developed a close bond with Wenjack's family and Marten Falls.
Leaders mourn
Marten Falls Chief Bruce Achneepineskum was drinking his morning coffee and watching the news Wednesday when he found out about Downie's death.
"I was sad that he is gone. He did a lot for our community and for raising [awareness of] the story of Chanie Wenjack," said Achneepineskum.
Downie took the time to get to know Wenjack's extended family and the community as a whole, Achneepineskum said. He was also impressed that Downie made the effort to visit the Ojibway fly-in community, which sits about 450 km northeast of Thunder Bay.
"It is not easy to get here sometimes," said Achneepineskum. "It is difficult and out of the way for him and they acknowledged his efforts to get to know the community, where [Chanie] had come from, to meet the family, find out how they are today, how things went, and you know, get to know ... the real story."
Achneepineskum said Downie was a "down-to-earth" guy who talked about everyday life with the people he met. He said he hopes others will carry on Downie's legacy, in particular his push for true reconciliation.
"I think that he started it and it is up to us to continue, whoever can, continue this talk of reconciliation," he said. "I wish it would continue."
Gord Downie takes to Parliament Hill to speak out for Canada's Indigenous peoples
Nishawbe Aski Nation Grand Chief Alvin Fiddler said he spoke with the singer's brother Mike Downie Wednesday morning to pass on his condolences.
"I was speaking with Gord's brother to remind each other of Gord's work and his many contributions to the country and the last couple of years to Chanie's family and to the Indigenous community," said Fiddler. "There is a lot to celebrate and I think all of us have a responsibility to carry on the legacy he leaves behind."
Fiddler said he remembered one lighthearted moment he shared with Downie after the naming ceremony. They ended up together in the back halls of convention centre, when Downie said he needed to use the bathroom.
"We couldn't find it and we were walking through kitchens and other areas. I finally found a woman's bathroom and I popped my head in there and made sure it was clear and I told Gord this is the only option he had.
"I stood by the door to make sure no one went in there...He was a guy who wanted to make a difference and he did it with humility and respect."
"I became close to Gord over the last year as we all worked together to challenge the Canadian public to do better with reconciliation efforts with Indigenous peoples; and although we knew this was coming it doesn't make it any easier to deal with the passing of a close friend," said Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak Grand Chief Sheila North Wilson.
"As MKO First Nations we will continue to remember Gord, build on his efforts through his Foundation, and work
to better the lives of our people as his lasting legacy to MKO," she added.
We told him with the bestowing of his name, in our custom, our tradition, it helps you in this world, but it also helps you in the next world, because your relatives, that is how they'll call you, to come and help and assist you on your journey.
- Perry Bellegarde
Singer Tanya Tagaq posted a goodbye to Downie on her Facebook page.
"Thank you for being my friend. Thank you for making music and cultivating kindness," posted Tagaq.
Downie "widened the road of reconciliation to include all Canadians," First Nations children's advocate Cindy Blackstock said, adding he used music to reach places words sometimes failed to find.
"May he forever sing and dance among the stars, reminding us all that love in action is reconciliation," said Blackstock. "And may we, the receivers of his gift, take action every day to make the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's calls to action a reality."
Bellegarde said Downie's decision to use his microphone to discuss residential schools and reconciliation had an immediate impact on the national dialogue.
"His impact, no question, will live on beyond Gord Downie's time in this world," said Bellegarde. "He is indeed walking amongst the stars now."
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Gord made a lot of awareness for indigenous people
a lot of his songs were true canadian history and politics
I'm sure Justin grew up listening to the tragically hip like most of us and fell in love with his lyrics his mind and his spirit
May you RIP Gord Now you can walk with the stars by the way i cried too
there music has been on replay of many songs that put me thru many nights in his poetic way he viewed Canada he was ahead by a century :blue:
Famed Tragically Hip frontman Gord Downie was nervous before the ceremony, unsure of where to stand and when to give the tobacco.
The singer, suffering from a terminal form of brain cancer, wanted to do things properly for his naming ceremony.
Assembly of First Nations National Chief Perry Bellegarde said he remembers telling Downie not to worry.
Tragically Hip's Gord Downie dead at 53
"He didn't want to make a mistake," said Bellegarde. "He wanted to do things right. He kept asking, 'Where should I stand? Should I say anything? Do I give the tobacco now?"
It was a powerful event in the ballroom of the Hilton Lac Leamy Casino in Gatineau, Que., when Downie was wrapped in a star blanket, handed an eagle feather and bestowed the name of Wicapi Omani, which is Lakota for Walks with the Stars. Downie wept during the ceremony which was held in December 2016 during the AFN's annual winter assembly.
Indigenous leaders across the country paid tribute to Downie Wednesday, after his death was announced at the age of 53. He had been battling glioblastoma.
"He felt a great honour and he was really humbled by [the ceremony]," said Bellegarde.
"We told him with the bestowing of his name, in our custom, our tradition, it helps you in this world, but it also helps you in the next world, because your relatives, that is how they'll call you, to come and help and assist you on your journey."
Using his spotlight
During the final Tragically Hip concert in Kingston, Ont. last August, Canada watched as Downie told the nation it was time to get serious about reconciliation with Indigenous communities.
Addressing Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Downie said Canadians "were trained our entire lives to ignore, trained our entire lives to hear not a word" of what was happening on northern First Nations.
"And what's going on up there ain't good. It's maybe worse than it's ever been," said Downie that night. "But we're going to get it fixed."
'We are less as a country': Prime Minister, politicians pay tribute to Gord Downie
In one of his last musical projects, Downie set out to immortalize and educate the Canadian public about residential schools through the tragic story of Chanie Wenjack, a boy from Marten Falls First Nation who was found dead on railroad tracks near Kenora, Ont., in October 1966. Wenjack had left the Cecilia Jeffrey Indian Residential School and was trying to make it home.
Downie wrote an album, The Secret Path, based on Wenjack's story and the music was included in a film based on a graphic novel about the boy's death.
A foundation was also created in Wenjack's memory and Downie developed a close bond with Wenjack's family and Marten Falls.
Leaders mourn
Marten Falls Chief Bruce Achneepineskum was drinking his morning coffee and watching the news Wednesday when he found out about Downie's death.
"I was sad that he is gone. He did a lot for our community and for raising [awareness of] the story of Chanie Wenjack," said Achneepineskum.
Downie took the time to get to know Wenjack's extended family and the community as a whole, Achneepineskum said. He was also impressed that Downie made the effort to visit the Ojibway fly-in community, which sits about 450 km northeast of Thunder Bay.
"It is not easy to get here sometimes," said Achneepineskum. "It is difficult and out of the way for him and they acknowledged his efforts to get to know the community, where [Chanie] had come from, to meet the family, find out how they are today, how things went, and you know, get to know ... the real story."
Achneepineskum said Downie was a "down-to-earth" guy who talked about everyday life with the people he met. He said he hopes others will carry on Downie's legacy, in particular his push for true reconciliation.
"I think that he started it and it is up to us to continue, whoever can, continue this talk of reconciliation," he said. "I wish it would continue."
Gord Downie takes to Parliament Hill to speak out for Canada's Indigenous peoples
Nishawbe Aski Nation Grand Chief Alvin Fiddler said he spoke with the singer's brother Mike Downie Wednesday morning to pass on his condolences.
"I was speaking with Gord's brother to remind each other of Gord's work and his many contributions to the country and the last couple of years to Chanie's family and to the Indigenous community," said Fiddler. "There is a lot to celebrate and I think all of us have a responsibility to carry on the legacy he leaves behind."
Fiddler said he remembered one lighthearted moment he shared with Downie after the naming ceremony. They ended up together in the back halls of convention centre, when Downie said he needed to use the bathroom.
"We couldn't find it and we were walking through kitchens and other areas. I finally found a woman's bathroom and I popped my head in there and made sure it was clear and I told Gord this is the only option he had.
"I stood by the door to make sure no one went in there...He was a guy who wanted to make a difference and he did it with humility and respect."
"I became close to Gord over the last year as we all worked together to challenge the Canadian public to do better with reconciliation efforts with Indigenous peoples; and although we knew this was coming it doesn't make it any easier to deal with the passing of a close friend," said Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak Grand Chief Sheila North Wilson.
"As MKO First Nations we will continue to remember Gord, build on his efforts through his Foundation, and work
to better the lives of our people as his lasting legacy to MKO," she added.
We told him with the bestowing of his name, in our custom, our tradition, it helps you in this world, but it also helps you in the next world, because your relatives, that is how they'll call you, to come and help and assist you on your journey.
- Perry Bellegarde
Singer Tanya Tagaq posted a goodbye to Downie on her Facebook page.
"Thank you for being my friend. Thank you for making music and cultivating kindness," posted Tagaq.
Downie "widened the road of reconciliation to include all Canadians," First Nations children's advocate Cindy Blackstock said, adding he used music to reach places words sometimes failed to find.
"May he forever sing and dance among the stars, reminding us all that love in action is reconciliation," said Blackstock. "And may we, the receivers of his gift, take action every day to make the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's calls to action a reality."
Bellegarde said Downie's decision to use his microphone to discuss residential schools and reconciliation had an immediate impact on the national dialogue.
"His impact, no question, will live on beyond Gord Downie's time in this world," said Bellegarde. "He is indeed walking amongst the stars now."
Report Typo or Error Send Feedback
Stay Connected with CBC Indigenous
MobileFacebookPodcastsTwitterAlertsEmail
Latest Indigenous Headlines
Kisiskaciwan indigenous voices
Writer with violent past withdraws work from Indigenous anthology October 18, 5:56 PM ET
'The community is excited': Indigenous doctor working in Wallaceburg and Walpole Island October 18, 11:50 AM ET audio
Thunder Bay Muslim Association creates bursary for young Indigenous mothers at Lakehead University October 18, 1:09 PM ET audio
Haida carver puts final touches on UBC reconciliation totem pole October 18, 2:00 PM ET
Mushroom picker missing near Smithers B.C. October 18, 5:02 PM ET audio
Don't Miss
Chenae Bullock
TRIBAL CANOE JOURNEY
'Like a reawakening': Journey concludes with hope for future
USA/
OPINION
Meeting the world's Indigenous peoples changed how I saw colonialism — and Canada
Jéan Sexsmith
PROFILE
All in a day's work: Dene archaeologist following his dream, reconnecting wi
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gord made a lot of awareness for indigenous people
a lot of his songs were true canadian history and politics
I'm sure Justin grew up listening to the tragically hip like most of us and fell in love with his lyrics his mind and his spirit
May you RIP Gord Now you can walk with the stars by the way i cried too
there music has been on replay of many songs that put me thru many nights in his poetic way he viewed Canada he was ahead by a century :blue:
For showing emotion about Downie's demise, GTFO. Bill Morneau is throwing him under a bus though, the sheen is off the Liberal Government.
Not that this matters in the big scheme of things, but I had the same thought. Before the big farewell concert, Trudeau claimed he'd seen the Hip play on campus when he was in high school and university and he "celebrated them as his local band" at that time https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0MBdP8hmqFI, none of which rang true. I think he exaggerated how big a fan he was of the band, and is now exaggerating how close he and Downie were as friends.
He makes it hard to forget that he was a drama teacher, and it seems he might not have been very good at it.
p.s. I did see The Hip live a few times during the height of their popularity. I always thought that Downie was head and shoulders more talented than the rest of the band, and held himself back out of loyalty to them. Admirable in some ways, but it prevented Downie from being the international success he might have been.
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He is the LEADER of this country and has to remain strong and stable during the roughest times. Didn't see Bush cry during 9/11. That was a TRUE leader, not this punk. He wasn't even close friends with the guys.
So this is what he cries about like a little baby? A guy he never met for more than 4 minutes?
Not the 5 CDN'S who died in Vegas? A singer he barely knows?
Ok .
While I know you have just come out, I admire you saying something so over the top stupid as part of your troll run.
What next, Trudeau eats quiche?
It fits his narrative of Trudeau. Trudeau is Liberal so immediately the hate is on - if Jesus was a Liberal - he would be hated as soon as the badge was put on. Most of his haters are old farts so the concept of a dynamic handsome young leader appealing to the women infuriates them thus the political comment 'pretty boy' (his physical looks) instead of political arguments.
Out of this cesspool of jealousy and hatred comes the bile that initiated this post. To quote a 'fucking moron' that many of the same critics adore ... SAD.
To me, JT came off as fake.
If I had seen him numerous times supporting the band and doing one of his many photo-ops with them, then I would think he was sincere, but to me I was cringing watching it.
I am not a fan of the Hip, as I enjoy some songs but find others too "Canadian Tacky". But whether I like a band or not, when someone who came across as a good person dies in this manner, it is sad.
Too bad JT tried to score points off of it.
If I had seen him numerous times supporting the band and doing one of his many photo-ops with them, then I would think he was sincere, but to me I was cringing watching it.
I am not a fan of the Hip, as I enjoy some songs but find others too "Canadian Tacky". But whether I like a band or not, when someone who came across as a good person dies in this manner, it is sad.
Too bad JT tried to score points off of it.
Wow. It's amazing what depths people have to go to to justify their political views. Get over it.
And calling GWB a "true leader" is amusing (though the current one sure makes Dubya look okay).
And calling GWB a "true leader" is amusing (though the current one sure makes Dubya look okay).
