The Municipality of Port Hope and Northumberland County are hosting a free screening of Gord Downie’s The Secret Path to mark the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
The screening will take place Wednesday, September 30th, at 7 p.m. at the Capitol Theatre.
The Secret Path tells the story of Chanie Wenjack, a 12-year-old Anishinaabe boy who died in 1966 while attempting to walk home after leaving a residential school in northern Ontario.
The one-hour film uses music, animation and storytelling to explore the impacts of Canada’s residential school system.
A panel discussion will follow the screening, featuring Southeast Regional Chief Marsha Smoke of the Anishinabek Nation, Dr. Hayden King, Executive Director of the Yellowhead Institute, and Chief Taynar Simpson of Alderville First Nation.
The discussion will be moderated by Port Hope Mayor Olena Hankivsky.
Admission to the event is free, although donations will be accepted. Organizers say donations will be shared between the Aron Indigenous Circle in Campbellford and Past Time, a legacy project honouring Residential School Survivor Stephen Pashagumskum.
Community members are encouraged to reserve tickets in advance through the Capitol Theatre website.
