![]() He said his “Secret Path” project was aimed at Canada’s decades-long government policy of requiring aboriginal children to attend residential schools, where physical and sexual abuse was often rampant.īorn in Amherstview, Ontario, Downie said he “always had a keen ear for music” and while all the other kids were spending their allowance on baseball trading cards, he was buying records “from the fathers of rock ‘n’ roll.” on the lips,” the Downie family said in a statement.ĭuring his final show, Downie called out to Trudeau, who attended the concert, to help fix problems in Canada’s aboriginal communities.Ī few months after that concert, Downie released a solo album with an accompanying graphic novel and animated film inspired by the tragedy of state-funded church schools that Canadian aboriginal children were forced to attend from the 19th century until the 1970s. “Gord knew this day was coming - his response was to spend his precious time as he always had - making music, making memories and expressing deep gratitude to his family and friends for a life well lived, often sealing it with a kiss. But through it all, Downie remained the consummate showman, rocking out on stage in distinctive leather suits. Millions tuned in.ĭownie later said that he needed six teleprompters during the concert series so he would not forget lyrics. Tickets for the 2016 summer tour sold out almost immediately, culminating in a national broadcast of the band’s final tour stop at Kingston, Ontario. That same day, the band said it would mount a Canadian tour despite Downie’s cancer. When the band made the news public the following May, expressions of sorrow poured in from across the country. And he wanted to make it better,” Trudeau said in Ottawa.ĭownie was diagnosed with glioblastoma, an aggressive and incurable brain cancer, in December 2015. “He loved every hidden corner, every aspect of this country that he celebrated his whole life. He was the frontman of one of Canada’s most iconic bands, a rock star, artist, and poet whose evocative lyrics came to define a country.” Trudeau also said in a written statement that “Downie uncovered and told the stories of Canada. “I thought I was going to make it through this but I’m not. ![]() We all knew it was coming but we hoped it wasn’t,” said Trudeau, his voice breaking. “We are less as a country without Gord Downie in it. Removable brooch pin has striped metallic ribbon, brass heart with wing, bone bead, brass feather, and etched “Away Is Mine” tag.While Canadian musicians Drake, the Weeknd and Justin Bieber have made waves internationally, the Tragically Hip built a huge following of die-hard homegrown fans.Īn emotional Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau wept in Parliament while talking about Downie on national television in a statement to reporters. The details: Singed, distressed burn, silk grosgrain ribbon in sage, leather laced brim edge. The hat: Alabaster bone velour felt, 4” molded crown, with a 3" gentle rolled brim. The details: Cotton bandana fabric wrap, combined with sari silk rope, hand cut and painted felt feather, single peacock feather, and etched brass Gord signature tag. The hat: Intense, violet velour felt, 4” soft blocked crown, with a 3” slight rolled brim edge. spoken- word poet Shane Koyczan said “we have worn your music like a stitch over an open vein” The final thread detail is the stitch, the scar, a crack that lets the light in. The details: rough cut black leather bib, leather lace, lava stone beads, brass star, and etched brass Gord signature tag, anchored by a purple threaded tail.ī.C. The hat: Inky black velour felt, 4” crown height, 3" slight rolled brim. Three limited edition uniquely individual hats.Ī softer, organic take on a classic fedora.ĥ0 black, 50 alabaster bone, and 50 violet. This collection has allowed me the time and space to dig down into my creative process, sift through my conversations and correspondence with Gord and come up with something custom, and celebratory, and by my own hands. They became iconic, and the purple hat continues to live on as the logo for The Gord Downie & Chanie Wenjack Fund, which lives quietly in my heart, with gratitude. Just as the task of designing Gord’s hats for The Tragically Hip’s final tour was daunting, so was this.Īfter all, those hats were for Canada’s greatest showman of all time. I was asked if I was willing to create a tribute hat as an homage to their brother Gord. Something which would encapsulate a style, an aesthetic into something memorable, wearable, and meaningful for the fans. ![]() This collection of bespoke, handmade hats came to life shortly after a lengthy conversation with Patrick and Mike Downie. ![]()
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