Mike Downie, the Co-Founder of the Downie & Wenjack Fund, with a custom-painted goalie mask by local artist Travis Michael.
The Victoria Royals are hosting a Downie Wenjack Fund Night when they host the Seattle Thunderbirds Friday night.
The night will pay tribute to late Canadian rock legend Gord Downie and Chanie Wenjack, an Ojibway boy who died while running away from his residential school in October of 1966.
Mike Downie will be on hand for a pre-game ceremony.
Downie co-created the graphic novel and film, The Secret Path, along with his late brother Gord and artist Jeff Lemire to tell Chanie Wenjack’s story.
A custom-painted goalie mask by local artist Travis Michael will be presented to Downie, which pays tribute to Gord Downie’s past as an artist and netminder as well as The Secret Path.
A goalie mask painted by artist Travis Michael is being auctioned at the Victoria Royals’ Downie Wenjack Fund Night. Photo courtesy Times Colonist.
Michael designed two masks for the night, with the other mask available online at CHL Auctions.
All proceeds raised from the auction will go towards the Fund.
Musician Gord Downie visited Pearl Wenjack at her home in Marten Falls First Nation in September 2016, in advance of the launch of his Secret Path project, devoted to Pearl’s brother Chanie Wenjack. Photo courtesy CBC.
Gord Downie died October 17 from an incurable form of brain cancer.
Before his death, Downie focussed attention towards aiding Canada’s reconciliation efforts with Indigenous people by launching the Secret Path project.
The Royals announced a partnership with the Gord Downie & Chanie Wenjack Fund and have raised more than $7000 in fundraising efforts this season.
Fans will have a chance to purchase Downie Wenjack Fund merchandise at the Royals Team Store, with all of the proceeds going to the Fund.
With files from CBC.
Andy Neal
