According to Gov.Gen. David Johnson, The Tragically Hip front man Gord Downie will be appointed a member of The Order of Canada “in recognition of outstanding indigenous leadership” during a special ceremony at Rideau Hall in Ottawa on Monday.
Aside from his efforts in promoting the cause of indigenous people via his work though the Hip, Downie has also raised funds and awareness by supplying an audio recording `Secret Path’ to supplement Jeff Lemire’s graphic novel about a young Anishiwaabe It boy, Charlie Wenjack who in 1966 died trying to return home to Martins Falls First Nation reserve after escaping from an Indian reservation school in Kenora Ontario. An animated film about the project was aired on CBC television.
Band members Rob Baker, Johnny Fay, Paul Langlois and Gord Sinclair will receive their insignia at a later date.
The Hip said on Twitter that they were honoured to be receiving the Order of Canada.
