"Secret Path" event

Secret Path, the graphic novel depiction of Chanie Wenjack and his final days while escaping a residential school in October, 1966. He died along the railroad tracks trying to get home 400 miles away. This evening's event was hosted by RISE- Reconciliation in Solidarity Edmonton for Reconciliation Week. Miranda Jimmy so graciously offered me the gift of this graphic novel if I promised to show up for my volunteering duties for the rest of this week. Yes, I was a little late showing up to help out today, lol. But she's a great friend and I'm so blessed to know her.

I also got a chance to chat with Mike Downie who was a key figure in the creation of not only the graphic novel, but also a musical album by the same name put together by the Tragically Hip's lead singer, Gord Downie, Mike's brother. Mike is co-chair of the Gord Downie and Chanie Wenjack fund which works to further reconciliation efforts here in Canada. I suggested something to Mike to which he said it was a very good, and interesting point. He even seemed intrigued. Yet time will only tell if he takes up my advice. I'm just surprised he or nobody else in this particular circle thought of it prior to this evening. So if he does take my advice, I'll be sure to tell you folks all about it and accept my pat on the back humbly and graciously, cuz that's just the kind of guy I am, lol!

Anyway, if you haven't already heard the album, seen the documentary complete with music from this album, received your copy of the graphic novel or even watched Gord's music video to "The Stranger", I highly recommend you visit… https://www.downiewenjack.ca

johnnyluv

It's My Birthday!

Very cool day today folks. And thank you all for the wonderful birthday wishes. Thank you Theresa for lunch and thank you Sandy for supper. Thank you Center of Race and Culture for a wonderful evening of skits on the racially oppressive history of Canada as well as the conversations. And especially thank you to the wonderful folks of CBC, Marie and Gaetan.(Apologies if I got your name wrong buddy, lol. But I think I got it right)
  Anyway, the interview was a great, and a very comfortable experience. We did some action shots, and I think overall it went very well. Gaetan, the cameraman, even went as far as saying I should get an Oscar for the piece, lol!
  However folks, the main segment is for CBC french. But they said CBC English may add a small part of the interview to something for their Dept. In any case, they will send me a link or something that I could add to my blog or share however I like. Nice! They also want to do more with me and I have invited them to a blanket exercise in the near future. Perhaps the Mass Blanket Exercise RISE is facilitating on June 3rd at the legislature but that's not solid. They have to check with their bosses and schedule and I have to check my contacts as there are a couple options we're looking at with two different organizations.
  In any case they plan to air the piece sometime in the next two weeks. Perhaps during or just after Reconciliation week. It was a good day. Thank again to everyone for making it so and for all your prayers and well wishes. And thank you Sara for helping me out get through the next week. God bless you all, and all my love.
              Johnny