Walk for Wenjack Begins August 14th, 2025, at Cape Croker Park

This first walk marks the launch of Bruce County’s annual participation in the national Walk for Wenjack initiative, led by the Gord Downie & Chanie Wenjack Fund (DWF), which honours the legacy of Chanie Wenjack. Chanie was a young Anishinaabe boy who died while trying to return home after escaping a residential school. The walk offers a space for Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples to come together to reflect, learn, and take action on the journey toward reconciliation.

Walk for Wenjack schedule

• Thursday, August 14 – Cape Croker Park, Neyaashiinigmiing (gather at the Arbour)
• Friday, October 17 – Wiarton, Bluewater Park
• Saturday, October 18 – Kincardine, Station Beach
• Monday, October 20 – Southampton, Fairy Lake Pavilion
• Tuesday, October 21 – Walkerton, Riverbend Park

All walks begin at 1 p.m. and are free to attend. There will be light refreshments, and the Nawash Food Bank will accept donations on site. The first 10 donors at each event will receive a gift from DWF.

Secret Path screenings

In addition to the walks, there is a public invitation to attend special screenings of The Secret Path, a poignant animated film based on the album by Gord Downie and the graphic novel by Gord Downie and Jeff Lemire. The story follows 12-year-old Chanie Wenjack as he tries to return home after escaping Cecilia Jeffrey Residential School. Through music and powerful visuals, the film brings attention to a story that has too often gone unheard.

Film screening schedule

• Friday, October 17 – Bruce County Public Library, Wiarton Branch – 3:30 p.m.
• Monday, October 20 – Bruce County Museum & Cultural Centre – 11:30 a.m. and 7 p.m.
• Tuesday, October 21 – Bruce County Public Library, Walkerton Branch – 3 p.m.

Screenings are free to attend. Pre-registration is encouraged to reserve a seat.

For more information and event updates, visit:
 www.brucemuseum.ca/event/walk-for-wenjack

Walk for Wenjack events in Bruce County are hosted in partnership with Cape Croker Park, Ktaamgwedaagwad Gindasswin Adult Learning Centre, Nawash Chief and Council, Bruce County Museum & Cultural Centre, Bruce County Public Library, the Municipality of Kincardine, the Municipality of Brockton, and Bruce Power.

About the Gord Downie and Chanie Wenjack Fund

Inspired by Chanie’s story and Gord’s call to build a better Canada, the Gord Downie & Chanie Wenjack Fund (DWF) aims to build cultural understanding and create a path toward reconciliation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples. DWF's goal is to improve the lives of Indigenous people by building awareness, education, and connections between all peoples in Canada.

About Secret Path Week (October 17-22)

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.

The week raises awareness of the lasting impacts of residential schools and encourages everyone in Canada to take meaningful action toward reconciliation through events like Walk for Wenjack and other community initiatives.

About Bruce County

Bruce County is an upper-tier municipality in southwestern Ontario made up of eight lower-tier municipalities and home to more than 77,000 residents. Bruce County is located within the traditional territory of the Saugeen Anishnaabek and holds a government-to-government relationship with the Chippewas of Nawash Unceded First Nation and Saugeen First Nation, together known as the Saugeen Ojibway Nation.

The explorers who visit, live and work here are the dreamers who take roads less travelled and see tried and true as an invitation to try something new. Be an explorer and call Bruce County home.