We are proud to have all KPDSB schools registered as Downie Wenjack Legacy Schools. In fact, Crolancia Public School in Pickle Lake was the first legacy school in Canada! The Legacy Schools program is a national initiative to engage, empower and connect students and educators to further reconciliation through awareness, education and action (#reconciliACTION).
Secret Path Week is a national movement commemorating the legacies of Gord Downie and Chanie Wenjack, and takes place annually from October 17-22. This is a meaningful week as October 17th and 22nd respectively mark the dates that Gord Downie and Chanie Wenjack joined the spirit world.
The Downie Wenjack Foundation calls on all people in Canada to use Secret Path Week to answer Gord Downie’s call to action, to “Do Something” by creating a reconciliACTION and furthering the conversation about the history of residential schools.
In additional to participating in a variety of classroom learning activities, KPDSB students and staff are encouraged to Walk for Wenjack during Secret Path Week to honour Chanie’s legacy and raise awareness of the true history of residential schools.
Several KPDSB schools participated in Walk for Wenjack activities including Lillian Berg Publc School in Vermilion Bay who’s students attempted (and some completed!) a 30km walk from the McIntosh Indian Residential School site to the school. Red Lake District High School also participated with students there walking a combined total of 600km!
