Gord Downie will posthumously receive the Allan Slaight Humanitarian Spirit Award for the work he did in the final years of his life on behalf of Indigenous Canadians. The lead singer of the Tragically Hip died of brain cancer in October 2017 at the age of 53. Before then, he passionately advocated for reconciliation between Indigenous and other Canadians, founding the Gord Downie and Chanie Wenjack Fund with his brothers and Chanie’s family. Gord Downie, seen performing in Toronto in 2016, will posthumously receive the Allan Slaight Humanitarian Spirit Award. “Gord Downie was an inspiration to all Canadians,” Gary Slaight, CEO of Slaight Communications, said in a news release.

Source: thestar April 25, 2019 20:03 UTC