NLL Toronto Rock

Rock Partner with Gord Downie & Chanie Wenjack Fund for Home Opener

Published on December 13, 2017 under National Lacrosse League (NLL)
Toronto Rock News Release


Oakville, ON - The Toronto Rock are proud to announce a partnership with the Gord Downie & Chanie Wenjack Fund (DWF) for the team's home opener on Saturday, December 16 against the Saskatchewan Rush at Air Canada Centre.

The Toronto Rock will donate $1 from every single game ticket sold to the team's December 16th home opener against the Saskatchewan Rush to the Downie Wenjack Fund. In addition, representatives from the DWF will be active on the concourse at Air Canada Centre on game night accepting donations, selling merchandise and most importantly raising awareness.

With the recent passing of Tragically Hip lead singer Gord Downie, different pockets of Canada mourned the loss in different ways and the lacrosse community is no exception. This partnership will give the lacrosse community a chance to honour Gord's memory and also raise money for the Downie Wenjack Fund and support Gord's wish for people to 'do something'.

"Reconciliation is not something we can do alone as Indigenous people. Gord challenged all of us to 'do something' and we are thankful to Toronto Rock for doing just that," said Sarah Midanik, program director of the Downie Wenjack Fund. "Through this opportunity, thousands of people will know more about Canada's history and we hope they too will be inspired to 'do something' to further reconciliation in Canada."

The mission of Downie Wenjack is to encourage reconciliation between non-Indigenous and Indigenous people in Canada. With truth and understanding of our shared history and working to build positive relationships, the fund strives to create social and systemic change in our communities.

The Gord Downie & Chanie Wenjack Fund is part of Gord Downie's legacy he wanted to leave in Canada, and embodies his and his family's commitment to improving the lives of Indigenous persons. In collaboration with the Wenjack family, the goal of the fund is to continue conversations beginning with Chanie Wenjack's residential school story, and to aid our collective reconciliation journey through a combination of Awareness, Education and Action.

Prior to the game, Gord Downie's brother Patrick Downie will address the crowd at Air Canada Centre and educate the fans in attendance about the Downie Wenjack Fund and its goals.

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