Gord Downie’s The Secret Path is an animated film with music that visually describes Chanie Wenjack’s story escaping residential school. Chanie does not make it home as he dies while attempting to walk over 400 miles to his family. Depending on the students in your class, you could show this if you believe it to be suitable. From 2:38 – 46:12 this film can be shown all at once or in chapters depending on the age of the students and their ability to sit still. This film can show students the story and experience of one child who was forced into the residential school system. This film is even beneficial for adults who are unaware of what children faced during their time at residential schools. Lesson plans on The Secret Path film can help to engage students and teachers in Reconciliation.
This website has lesson plans for primary, intermediate, and high school students. For my classroom, I would use the two lesson plans (When We Are Alone and The Best Part of Me) as I usually teach Kindergarten and Grade 1. With these lessons, students do not have to watch the film if you believe it would not be suitable for them, however, there are pictures that can be viewed instead or you could pause the film at any point to discuss what they see.
As well, in addition or even separate from watching the film, teachers could describe Chanie’s Life Journey through an interactive story map which describes who Chanie was, a short Heritage Minute of Chanie’s story by Historica Canada, an interactive map of where his home and school were, and clips from the The Secret Path film.
Additional information of The Secret Path can be found on this website.
What a powerful animation. It’s amazing how illustrations, visuals, and music can express so much. I love the variety of lessons plans they offer and I would be interested in using the Action Planning Project lesson plan for high school. Great find, thanks for sharing!
Hi Stephanie,
Thank you for sharing this blog. As I was reading it, ironically, I remember I was driving and listening to the radio, which mentioned a name Downie & Wenjack, and there is a radio broadcast coming up on June 30th titled ¨Do Something.¨ As I watched the YouTube link you shared, I realized your blog about is connected to what I heard a few days ago:
A DAY TO LISTEN:
AMPLIFYING INDIGENOUS VOICES
6am – 6pm (local time) on Wednesday, June 30 on radio stations across Canada
¨The Gord Downie & Chanie Wenjack Fund is part of Gord Downie’s legacy and embodies his commitment, and that of his family, to improving lives of First Peoples in Canada. In collaboration with the Wenjack Family, the goal of the Fund is to continue the conversation that began with Chanie Wenjack’s residential school story, and to aid our collective reconciliation journey through a combination of awareness, education, and action.¨
¨In recognition of National Indigenous History Month, Bell Media, Corus Entertainment Inc., Rogers Sports & Media, Stingray Radio, and more, join together in an unprecedented collaboration to amplify, elevate, listen to, and learn from Indigenous voices with A DAY TO LISTEN.¨
I´ve included this link for further info;
https://downiewenjack.ca/a-day-to-listen/
If you have the chance to sign up for the Legacy School project they will send out a toolkit. I received two beautiful copies of the story and some other items I could give out to students (bracelets, toque). Throughout the school year, the foundation emails out many different resources and events so it is worth signing up. This past year there was a session where Buffy Sainte Marie taught students the science behind the Mouthbow.
Thank you for sharing this! I can see how it could be adapted for use in post-secondary programs as well. What a great resource – powerful stuff!
Thanks for introducing the Legacy School Project to the class DeeDee! I will be talking to my principal to hopefully have my school join the project in the upcoming school year!