June 3rd, 2024
Royal Woodbine Golf Club
195 Galaxy Blvd. Etobicoke, ON. M9W 6R7
Since 2022, the CIGBA/CFIG annual charity classic has raised $17,000 in support of the Gord Downie & Chanie Wenjack Fund (DWF). This support has allowed us to continue to grow our programs, campaigns, and events that move reconciliation forward in Canada. An overview of our programs can be found below.
The Legacy Schools program is a free, national initiative that engages, empowers, and connects students and educators to further reconciliation through awareness, education, and action. More than 8,100 educators throughout Canada use the educational tools and resources provided through the program to ensure Indigenous perspectives are being taught to more than 200,000 students from kindergarten to post-secondary.
Legacy Schools Spotlight: Bloorview School
“Bloorview School is a small school located inside Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital in Toronto. All students are clients at the hospital and come from all over Ontario. We often have students from Indigenous communities. This year, our school joined the Legacy Schools program. Our student leaders have been introduced to the story of Chanie Wenjack and learned about Gord Downie’s call to action. Then they came up with a list of ReconciliACTIONs and displayed those 16 actions on a wall in the hospital’s foyer with the Every Child Matters flag, the story of Chanie, a representation of the railway, and the 7 matches. Since last Friday, the students have been busy raising awareness by encouraging staff and visitors at the school and the hospital to engage in acts of reconciliation. Then they offered them a small orange shirt to sign and display on the wall to show their commitment.”
- Bloorview School Educator
Harriet Visitor joined the Youth Ambassadors for a session on the importance of Elders and their role in community. Harriet is not only an educator but also the niece of Chanie Wenjack.
Alongside Harriet, the youth created their own Kookum magnets that represented how we learn and follow in the footsteps of our Elders.
The Youth Ambassador program is a month-long leadership development training program that brings together Indigenous and non-Indigenous youth to engage in part-time work that will support them to become champions of reconciliation in their schools and communities. Since the program began in 2021, 243 Indigenous and non-Indigenous youth have successfully completed the program.
“DWF has impacted my life in a very positive way. DWF has been amazing with showing me resources, actions I can take, and how they can help me and support me on my reconciliation journey.”
- Sofia Rizzuto, Youth Ambassador
Artist Ambassador Peatr Thomas visits Mikisew High School in Pimicikamak Cree Nation/Cross Lake, MB. Peatr is originally from Cross Lake and was thrilled to host four workshops and be able to share his experiences as an established artist and skateboarder who never received formal training through four workshops.
Artist Ambassadors are Indigenous and non-Indigenous musicians, visual artists, Elders, Knowledge Keepers, and others who partner with DWF. Through visits and DWF LIVE, they are connected with students and the DWF community to engage in learning and conversations about reconciliation through their art. In 2023, 2,904 Indigenous and non-Indigenous students were connected to artists through the Artist Ambassador program.
AGENDA
For hotel bookings, please go to: https://www.hilton.com/en/attend-my-event/ytobrgi-dist-b33d1388-1186-4976-8daa-f185ab4d2231/
2024 SPONSORS
