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Nishnawbe Aski Nation mourns death of Gord Downie

NAN Grand Chief calls Downie a "dear friend"
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Gord Downie and The Tragically Hip peformed at Fort WIlliam Gardens. (Leith Dunick, tbnewswatch.com)

Members and leaders of the Nishnawbe Aski Nation are grieving the death of Gord Downie of The Tragically Hip.

Downie passed away from cancer on Tuesday night at the age of 53.

NAN Grand Chief Alvin Fiddler, in a statement, said "Words cannot express our sorrow and our thoughts and prayers are with Gord's brothers Mike and Patrick, and all of their family and friends."

Calling Downie a dear friend, Fiddler noted how the performer "took the country by storm last year with his heartfelt call to action."

The Grand Chief said he had been deeply moved by Downie's work with the family of Chanie "Charlie" Wenjack in bringing the history of the Indian Residential School system to a national audience.

"We will forever be touched by Gord's compassion and commitment to guide us along the path to reconciliation."

Fiddler was with Downie when he launched his Secret Path multi-media project in Marten Falls First Nation in September, 2016. It marked the 50th anniversary of the death of 12-year-old Wenjack who fled a residential school and attempted to return on foot to his home at Ogoki Post.

Downie was honoured with the Lakota spirit name Wicapi Omani or "He Who Walks Amongst the Stars" at the Assembly of First Nations national assembly last December.






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