By: Abeer Khan
7 Mar, 2025
CIFAR launches a Legacy Space in partnership with the Gord Downie & Chanie Wenjack Fund
March 7, 2025
The space showcases artwork by Blake Angeconeb, an Anishinaabe woodlands artist from Treaty 3 territory
CIFAR has launched a Legacy Space in partnership with the Gord Downie & Chanie Wenjack Fund (DWF) to facilitate meaningful conversations on Canada’s true history and our collective journey toward reconciliation.
The Legacy Space was unveiled in a ceremony at CIFAR’s Toronto office on March 3 and features artwork by Blake Angeconeb, an Anishinaabe woodlands artist from Treaty 3 territory.
“The Legacy Space represents part of CIFAR’s commitment to learning, listening and taking meaningful action toward reconciliation,” says CIFAR President & CEO Stephen Toope.
The ceremony featured remarks from esteemed guests, including Ogimaa-Kwe Claire Sault, Chief of the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation, Angeconeb and CIFAR Board Member Jennifer Moore Rattray.
Sarah Midanik, President & CEO of DWF and Mike Downie, Gord’s brother, also spoke at the event. Midanik highlighted the importance of committing to reconciliation through initiatives like the Legacy Spaces program.
“This is more than thinking about who we want to be and what we can be proud of. This is our future. When we’re looking at the next generation of young people in this country, we cannot tolerate bigotry, racism, and social injustices that happen the second we put our guard down. We need to stay strong. We need to stay committed, and we’re so grateful that everyone at CIFAR is on that journey here with us,” she said at the event.
DWF is an organization inspired by Chanie’s story and Gord’s call to build a better Canada that aims to build cultural understanding and create a path toward reconciliation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples.
“It is a privilege to work alongside an organization so deeply committed to bridging understanding and building meaningful connections between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples,” says Toope.
By choosing to develop a Legacy Space, CIFAR is committed to facilitating difficult conversations about our country’s past and present to better understand the ongoing impact on Indigenous Peoples and learn how we can do our part to move reconciliation forward.
“The Legacy Spaces program reminds us that dialogue and education are essential, but they must be paired with tangible commitments,” says Toope.
To view more photos from the event, view and follow us on LinkedIn.
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