'Man who walks among the stars': AFN honours tearful Gord Downie

Gord Downie, lead singer of the Tragically Hip and an advocate for First Nations people, was honoured at the Assembly of First Nations gathering Tuesday for his work highlighting the impactof residential schools.

Downie'smost recent project,Secret Path, tells the story of 12-year-oldChanieWenjack, who died in 1966 trying to escape from a residential school nearKenora, Ont. An excerpt of the documentary film was played for the chiefs assembled inGatineau, Que.

National Chief Perry Bellegarde presented the visibly emotional Downiewith an eagle feather a gift from the creator above and he was given a Lakotaspirit name, Wicapi Omani, which can be roughly translated as "Man who walks amongthe stars."

Gord Downie honoured by AFN

7 years ago

Duration 5:04

Gord Downie, lead singer of the Tragically Hip, is honoured by the Assembly of First Nations for his advocacy on residential schools.

Newfoundland and Labrador and Nova ScotiaRegional Chief MorleyGoogoosaid Downiewas a living embodiment of the push to reconcile relations between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples.

An emotional Prime Minister JustinTrudeau watched asDowniewas showered with song and wrapped in a "star blanket."

Path of reconciliation

"Soon, in a few days, a couple of weeks, there's 150 years that Canada wants to celebrate, and I will personally then celebrate the birth of our country, celebrate the next 150 years. It will take 150 years or seven generations to heal the wound of theresidential school," Downiesaid after receiving the blanket.

"To become a country, andtruly call ourselves Canada, it means we must become one. We must walk down a path of reconciliation fromnow on. Together, and forever. This is the first day of forever:the greatest day of my life, the greatest day of all of our lives. Thank you."

Chiefs from across the country brought presents toDownie, but were asked to not present them to him personally due to health concerns as he undergoes treatment for brain cancer.

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Gord Downie's complete speech

7 years ago

Duration 1:38

Gord Downie, the lead singer of The Tragically Hip, is honoured by the Assembly of First Nations with an Indigenous spirit name and an eagle feather ceremony for his work spotlighting the impact of residential schools.