Lemire created a graphic novel inspired by Downie's songs, and its images were used to create the film. Meanwhile, the Gord Downie and Chanie Wenjack Fund was started to 'start a new relationship with Indigenous Peoples.'ĭuration 4:14 Tragically Hip frontman wants the story of Chanie Wenjack, an Indigenous boy who died running away from a residential school in northern Ontario, to be his legacy projectĭownie, who won two Junos for the 10-song solo album, thought of the Secret Path music, concerts and film created with artist Jeff Lemire as his legacy project. We are not the country we think we are.'Īfter his final appearances with the Tragically Hip, Downie released Secret Path, a multimedia project that tells the tragic tale of 12-year-old Chanie Wenjack, who died of exposure and hunger in 1966 after running away from the Cecilia Jeffrey Indian Residential School in Kenora, Ont. Courage: Canuck musicians, politicians tweet support for Gord Downieĭownie spent his final months speaking out in support of Indigenous people, declaring: 'Canada is not Canada.'Canadian original': Politicians pay tribute to Gord Downie.INTERACTIVE | Looking for a place to happen: Canadian stories behind Tragically Hip's lyrics.(Patrick Morrell/CBC)ĭownie contained similar complexities: He was an everyman poet, seeming both aloof and down to earth, writing lyrics that rhymed 'catharsis' with 'my arse is.' He sang about Canada, but disavowed nationalism, his songs exploring heavy topics like David Milgaard's wrongful conviction ( Wheat Kings) or Canada's treatment of First Nations ( Now the Struggle Has a Name). People leave flowers and candles at a growing memorial for Gord Downie at Springer Market Square in Kingston, Ont.

The band's propulsive, muscular rock, coupled with intense live performances and Downie's cryptic, literary lyrics, allowed the band to attract a diverse fan base that included party animals and armchair philosophers alike. The 15-show Man Machine Poem tour, especially its final concert, became a cultural event, as Downie's dire prognosis prompted an outpouring of support from people across the country who had the rare opportunity to celebrate a much-loved Canadian before he was gone.Īs the Tragically Hip's lead singer and lyricist, Downie was the face and voice of a band whose discography sold more than eight million copies. (Mike Homer/Live Nation)Ĭanadians learned of Downie's illness on May 24 last year - the same day the rest of the rock group, Paul Langlois, Rob Baker, Gord Sinclair and Johnny Fay, announced that the Kingston, Ont.-based band would head out on a final summer tour 'for Gord, and for all of us.' As the Tragically Hip's lead singer and lyricist, Downie was the face and voice of a band whose discography sold more than eight million copies.

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