A DAY TO LISTEN

Listen to JR Country on Wednesday, September 30th for A Day To Listen from 6am to 6pm.

On September 30, in recognition of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, the Gord Downie & Chanie Wenjack Fund (DWF) is proud to partner once again with radio stations in Canada for A DAY TO LISTEN.

This year’s theme is Honouring Truth with Action.

Honouring truth means listening to the lived experiences of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Peoples, acknowledging the lasting impacts of the residential school system and other colonial policies. After learning the truth, we encourage everyone in Canada to take meaningful steps toward reconciliation. This year, as DWF marks the 10th anniversary of Secret Path, we reflect on how Gord Downie honoured Chanie Wenjack’s story - his truth - and helped turn it into meaningful action by creating opportunities for learning, dialogue, and change. Through conversations with Indigenous leaders, Knowledge Keepers, educators, artists, and changemakers, this A DAY TO LISTEN, we'll explore how truth can inspire meaningful action in communities throughout Canada.

With this theme in mind, we will hear from guests on the following topics:

• Dr. Kisha Supernant on Indigenous archeology and the state of the search for residential school graves
• Chief Dr. Robert Joseph on how truth, healing and shared humanity can inspire meaningful action toward reconciliation
• Aaju Peter on protecting Inuit culture, language and traditional practices while advancing Inuit rights and self-determination
• Connie Walker on the power of storytelling, preserving Survivor testimony, and the consequences of destroying residential school records

About the Gord Downie & Chanie Wenjack Fund

The Gord Downie & Chanie Wenjack Fund aims to build cultural understanding and create a path toward reconciliation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples.

Through the Legacy Schools program, they provide tools and resources to over 10,000 educators in Canada so they can confidently teach students about not only the true history of this country, but also the richness, strength, and diversity of Indigenous cultures.

To learn more about DWF’s work, visit: downiewenjack.ca and follow on social media @downiewenjack.

About the first A DAY TO LISTEN in 2021

• The first A DAY TO LISTEN took place on June 30, 2021, following the announcement of 215 potential unmarked graves at the site of the former Kamloops Indian Residential School. With more than 540 radio stations participating, spanning different markets, regions, and formats.
• Over 540 radio stations participated in 2021, spanning different markets, regions, and formats.
• A DAY TO LISTEN leveraged the power of radio to inspire people throughout Canada to move reconciliation forward in meaningful ways.
• Programming was aired again on September 30, 2021, the inaugural National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.