The Hip’s Gord Downie made a rare appearance in Ottawa on July 2nd to speak on behalf of Canada’s Indigenous peoples.

 

He took the stage at We Day, a festival celebrating young Canadians, hosted at Parliament Hill. He was joined by Chanie Wenjack’s sisters Pearl and Daisy. Wenjack died in 1966 after escaping a residential school, a story told in Downie’s album “Secret Path”.

 

“Now we begin a new 150 years. We leave behind the first 150 years, the ones with one big problem — trying to wipe out our Indigenous people, to take their minds and hearts, to give them the choice [to] become white or get lost.” – Gord Downie

Watch part of his speech below, along with a 100-person choir rendition of “Courage”.