Entertainment Features

Gord's Legacy: Rock and Reconciliation One Year Later

Gord's Legacy: Rock and Reconciliation One Year Later

BY DAVID DeROCCO

October 17th, 2018 will mark the one-year anniversary since the nation mourned the death of Tragically Hip frontman Gord Downie. While his musical legacy with The Hip is eternally engrained into the Canadian psyche, it’s his work to promote reconciliation with Canada’s indigenous communities that continues to resonate across the country. Downie’s efforts will be recognized October 18th in St. Catharines during a special evening that celebrates GORD’S LEGACY.

 

The event being staged at First Ontario Performing Arts Centre will see Canadian artists including Tom Wilson, Matthew Barber, Kids In The Hall’s Bruce McCulloch and more performing the music and poetry of The Tragically Hip/Gord Downie. The concert is designed to promote awareness, education and thoughtful action on the reconciliation with Canada’s First Peoples. Funds raised will go directly to the Downie/Wenjack Fund and toward the erection of a Legacy Space at the FirstOntario PAC.

 

The project is being produced by Kevin Fox, who says that being involved is his way of saying thanks to Gord for his contributions to our country and culture.

 

“He chose to spend so much of his energy during his final months to a cause that was not being properly recognized,” said Fox, who was asked to produce the shows by his wife Tammy, Executive Director of the Burlington PAC where another show is being held Oct 17th.  “For me, the process of producing these events has been the start of an enlightening and educational journey that Gord felt we all need to take to truly recognize the plight of our First Nation communities.”

 

Both FirstOntario PAC and Burlington PAC have committed to a five year investment in the Gord Downie and Chanie Wenjack Fund Legacy Spaces, the first time they will be erected in performing arts centres. Ultimately, the evening will be a celebration of the legacy Gord created through his music, something Fox says is interwoven into his own life as a musician who had the pleasure of sharing a stage with Downie.

 

“When I was playing with the artist Andrew Cash in the 90s we shared the stage a number of times with The Tragically Hip, doing opening sets as well as a memorable opportunity to have Gord join us on stage to sing one of Andrew’s songs for the Kumbaya festival,” remembers Fox. “I can’t say I have a favourite song or lyric. So much of his material is interwoven into my journey as a musician as well as a human being. So many of his songs carry an innate significance in the chapters of my life.”

 

Three-time Juno nominee Danny Michel, who is also performing as part of the tribute, says he jumped at the invitation to be part of the tribute.

 

“I’m grateful to Gord for using the little time he has left in his life to educate so many about this issue. He asked us to help, so I’m trying to do just that. To be asked to sing his magnificent poetry is an honour.”

 

While Fox says he’s aware of some of the backlash to Downie’s efforts  to promote indigenous causes, he believes the legacy of Gord’s work should be the positive dialogue now being shared across the country about reconciliation.

 

“ I am aware of the potential of some discomfort in the indigenous communities around the fact that Gord is not indigenous and that we are celebrating him as a champion of their cause.  I respect that, while at the same time I can’t help but appreciate what his efforts have led to. Any positive, constructive contribution to the reconciliation process is of value I think.  I say this, aware the opinion comes from the perspective of a non-indigenous person and that a tremendous amount of ignorance is involved.  However, this is exactly what I believe the Legacy Spaces represent, an opportunity to continue to grow and a journey toward a more enlightened and less ignorant perspective.”

 Tickets to the event are available at the Box Office.