Have a Heart Day is observed each year on February 14 and calls on people in Canada to stand up for First Nations children. The day focuses on the need for equitable access to child welfare, education, health care, and essential services for First Nations children and youth. It is a reminder that reconciliation includes ensuring fairness, dignity, and respect for Indigenous children and families. Participating in Have a Heart Day is a meaningful way to show support for equity and the well-being of First Nations children throughout the country.  * Follow @fncaringsociety on Instagram for details on the virtual event  * Read Spirit Bear and Children Make History by Cindy Blackstock and Eddy Robinson: goodminds.com/products/spiri… #HaveAHeartDay #ReconciliACTION #IndigenousRights #ChildWelfare #EducationForAll #SpiritBear #Equity #IndigenousYouth #TruthAndReconciliation #DoSomething #FirstNations #SupportIndigenousChildren #SecretPathWeek #DownieWenjackFund

The Women’s Memorial March is an annual grassroots event that is held on February 14 in cities throughout Canada and the United States to honour the lives of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two-Spirit people. The marches bring families, community members, and allies together to remember those who have been taken and emphasize the importance of standing in solidarity to seek justice, truth, and accountability. Memorial marches are rooted in remembrance and care, while also recognizing the ongoing impacts of colonial violence and systemic injustice. Participating in a memorial march is one way to show respect, support, and commitment to ending violence against Indigenous women, girls, and Two-Spirit people. - Participate in a march in your community, create a poster - Listen to the A Day to Listen Podcast episode with former Head Counsel on the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls Inquiry, Christa Big Canoe: iheart.com/podcast/962-a-day… - Or check out our blog post, A Conversation with Christa Big Canoe downiewenjack.ca/beyond-215-… #MMIWG #MMIWG2S #WomensMemorialMarch #ReconciliACTION #DoSomething #IndigenousWomen #IndigenousRights #JusticeForMMIWG #EndViolence #TruthAndReconciliation #SecretPathWeek #IndigenousVoices #CommunitySupport #NoMoreStolenSisters #DownieWenjackFund

Established by UNESCO in 2011, World Radio Day celebrates the unique power of radio to connect people, amplify voices, and provide vital information, especially for vulnerable communities. Radio sparks conversation, shares stories that might otherwise go unheard, and reaches across distances, communities, and generations – bringing us together through the simple act of listening. For five years, DWF has proudly partnered with major media outlets and radio stations throughout Canada to broadcast A DAY TO LISTEN, using the power of radio to amplify Indigenous voices and inspire action toward reconciliation. Listen to an episode of A DAY TO LISTEN:ow.ly/Fpto50YeE9v Learn more about World Radio Day: ow.ly/JEr850YeE9x, and this year’s theme “Radio and AI”:ow.ly/beJC50YeE9y #WorldRadioDay #ADayToListen #ReconciliACTION #IndigenousVoices #DoSomething #RadioForChange #SecretPathWeek #DownieWenjack #RadioAndAI #Storytelling #Community #AmplifyVoices #Canada #UNESCO #SocialImpact

On October 22, 1966, Chanie Wenjack, a 12-year-old Anishinaabe boy, died after escaping the Cecilia Jeffrey Residential School in Kenora, Ontario. He tried to walk over 600 kilometres to his home community in Ogoki Post. His passing has come to represent the experiences of thousands of children who were separated from their families and communities through the residential school system. Remembering Chanie Wenjack serves as a reminder of the need for truth, accountability, and reconciliation in Canada. Learn more about Chanie’s Story by watching The Secret Path secretpathweek.ca Learn more about the children who did not make it home by listening to Kimberly Murray on ADAYTOLISTEN.ca #GordDownie #ChanieWenjack #SecretPathWeek #DoSomething #DownieWenjackFund

Chanie Wenjack’s story is a defining moment in the history of Canada and its reckoning with the residential school system. Born on January 19, 1954, on Marten Falls First Nation (Ogoki Post), Chanie was taken from his family at age nine and sent to the Cecilia Jeffrey Residential School in Kenora, Ontario. In 1966, at just 12 years old, he ran away in hopes of returning home more than 600 kilometres away. On October 22, 1966, Chanie was found beside the railway tracks, where he had died from starvation and exposure. Each year, we honour his legacy by marking today as the last day of Secret Path Week. This year, Chanie was officially recognized by the Government of Canada as a National Historic Person, a designation that honours his place in the history of Canada, acknowledges that his life and death reflect the experiences of thousands of children in the residential school system, and ensures his legacy will not be forgotten. In this clip from “Finding the Secret Path”, Pearl Wenjack reflects on connecting with the spirit of her brother Chanie to give her the strength and confidence to bring his story to the greater public. We invite all people in Canada to use Secret Path Week to answer Gord Downie’s call to action, to #DoSomething  to move reconciliation forward. For more information on Secret Path Week and to watch the full documentary by Mike Downie, visit secretpathweek.ca #GordDownie #ChanieWenjack #SecretPathWeek #DoSomething #DownieWenjackFund

Secret Path Week is a national movement commemorating the legacies of Gord Downie and Chanie Wenjack. October 17 and 22, respectively, mark the dates that Gord Downie and Chanie Wenjack joined the spirit world. In this clip from “Finding the Secret Path”, Gord is being interviewed by Ian Brown of The Globe and Mail and reflecting on the vulnerability non-Indigenous people in Canada need to overcome in approaching conversations and actions around truth and reconciliation. We invite all peoples in Canada to use Secret Path Week to answer Gord Downie’s call to action, to #DoSomething  to move reconciliation forward. For more information on Secret Path Week and to watch the full documentary by Mike Downie, visit secretpathweek.ca #GordDownie #ChanieWenjack #SecretPathWeek #DoSomething #DownieWenjackFund

Today, on the anniversary of his passing and the first day of Secret Path Week, we honour Gord Downie – fearless artist, poetic visionary, and bridge-builder – who used his voice to not only shape the landscape of Canadian music, but to call on all of us to “Do Something” to move reconciliation forward. In his final years, Gord worked closely with the Wenjack family to create “Secret Path”, sharing Chanie’s story through music, a graphic novel, and film. This year alone, over 9,500 Legacy Schools are engaging with “Secret Path” in classrooms and learning spaces throughout the country. Gord’s dedication to truth and reconciliation continues to guide the work of the Gord Downie & Chanie Wenjack Fund. For more information on Secret Path Week visit secretpathweek.ca #GordDownie #ChanieWenjack #SecretPathWeek #DoSomething #DownieWenjackFund

Today, on the anniversary of his passing and the first day of Secret Path Week, we honour Gord Downie – fearless artist, poetic visionary, and bridge-builder – who used his voice to not only shape the landscape of Canadian music, but to call on all of us to “Do Something” to move reconciliation forward. In his final years, Gord worked closely with the Wenjack family to create “Secret Path”, sharing Chanie’s story through music, a graphic novel, and film. This year alone, over 9,500 Legacy Schools are engaging with “Secret Path” in classrooms and learning spaces throughout the country. Gord’s dedication to truth and reconciliation continues to guide the work of the Gord Downie & Chanie Wenjack Fund. In this clip from “Finding the Secret Path”, Chanie Wenjack’s sister Pearl and former AFN National Chief Perry Bellegarde reflect on Gord’s legacy. For more information on Secret Path Week and to watch the full documentary by Mike Downie, visit secretpathweek.ca #GordDownie #ChanieWenjack #SecretPathWeek #DoSomething #DownieWenjackFund

Join us for a special DWF LIVE series during Secret Path Week: Oct 17, 20, 21, 22! Tune in at 2PMET on DWF’s YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and TikTok accounts. Sarah Loretta Schuster (Zhaawashkwaa-Giizhigong-Biish-Kwe) is an Anishinaabe community organizer, hand drummer, traditional craft artist, and medicine gardener with maternal ties to Lac des Mille Lacs First Nation in Northwestern Ontario. Sarah hosts this four-part series, exploring the spiritual, cultural, and practical significance of the four sacred medicines – tobacco, sweetgrass, sage, and cedar – through storytelling, teachings, and hands-on demonstrations. Throughout this series, Sarah guides viewers through each medicine’s harvesting, preparation, ceremonial protocols, and living practices, emphasizing relationship, reciprocity, and connection to the medicine wheel. secretpathweek.ca #DownieWenjackFund #DWFLIVE #IndigenousKnowledge #4SacredMedicines #SecretPathWeek

Secret Path Week is a national movement commemorating the legacies of Gord Downie and Chanie Wenjack. October 17th and 22nd respectively mark the dates that Gord Downie and Chanie Wenjack joined the spirit world. Secretpathweek.ca #GordDownie #ChanieWenjack #SecretPathWeek

@GEDSB Everybody has their own reason to Walk for Wenjack. The 7/8’s at Mapleview wanted to raise awareness of the true history of residential schools. #walkforwenjack #secretpathweek

Yesterday, in honour of #SecretPathWeek , DWF staff teamed up with staff from Legacy Space partners Corby Spirit and Wine and Hudson’s Bay for a Walk For Wenjack. Plan a #WalkForWenjack today! downiewenjack.ca/our-work/wa…   @corbysw @hudsonsbay #DoSomething #ReconciliACTION

Miigwetch everyone for joining us this #SecretPathWeek Here are 3 ways to take #ReconciliACTION anytime: Plan a Walk For Wenjack: ow.ly/HaKU50TRe11 Catch up on DWF LIVE sessions you might have missed: ow.ly/zu5p50TRe17 Support our work: ow.ly/MVVr50TRe16

A beautiful display of art work for #SecretPathWeek @EcoleMcTavish @ann_oldnall @downiewenjack

October 22 marks the day Chanie Wenjack joined the spirit world. Chanie’s story inspires us to work toward cultural understanding between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples. Miigwetch for joining us this #SecretPathWeek. downiewenjack.ca/our-work/se…

Go to secretpathweek.ca to watch the full DWF LIVE with Stephanie Harpe as she discusses the International Day of the Girl Child and ways to take #ReconciliACTION #StephanieHarpe #SecretPathWeek #DoSomething

Want to learn more about the history of residential schools this Secret Path Week? Go to the DWF Virtual Legacy Space virtuallegacyspace.ca/ #Reconciliation #LegacySpace #ReconciliACTION #ResidentialSchools #SecretPathWeek

October 17 marks the day Gord Downie joined the spirit world. Gord called on all of us to #DoSomething to improve the relationship between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples. Oct 17-22, we commemorate the legacies of Gord Downie and Chanie Wenjack through #SecretPathWeek.

Miigwetch to The Beer Store for raising funds and awareness for DWF this #SecretPathWeek. From Oct 14 – 27 you can donate funds and empties in support of DWF at all locations in Ontario. Learn more about Secret Path Week at secretpathweek.ca. #DoSomething #ReconciliACTION

#SecretPathWeek is a national movement commemorating the legacies of Gord Downie and Chanie Wenjack. We invite you to join us from Oct 17 to 22 to use Secret Path Week to answer Gord's call to action, to #DoSomething to move reconciliation forward. secretpathweek.ca