Fostering Dialogue, Education and Understanding: Sunnybrook opens the new Downie Wenjack Legacy Space

Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre has unveiled the new Gord Downie & Chanie Wenjack Legacy Space at the Holland Orthopaedic & Arthritic Centre Library, the first of its kind in a Toronto hospital.

The Legacy Space is a welcoming environment where conversations and education about Canada’s history and the collective journey towards Truth and Reconciliation can take place. The space provides the opportunity for Indigenous and non-Indigenous Peoples to come together, build connections and foster understanding, while making sure that Indigenous voices and perspectives are heard.

“Legacy Spaces like this one at Sunnybrook are so important for fostering dialogue, education and understanding as part of the ongoing journey of reconciliation,” says Sarah Midanik, President & CEO of the Gord Downie & Chanie Wenjack Fund. “Hospitals are places for healing, so it holds great significance to have a Legacy Space here, which establishes a safe and welcoming place for Indigenous patients, staff and community.”

Choosing the Holland Centre Library as the location for the Legacy Space underscores the role of learning in reconciliation. The space supports staff and learners by offering resources that deepen knowledge of Indigenous health, history and culture.

“The library is a space dedicated to staff and learners,” says Dr. Calvin Law, Vice President of Education at Sunnybrook. “By exposing current and future health-care providers to Indigenous histories, perspectives and ways of knowing, we're responding directly to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's Calls to Action, particularly those focused on health education.”

The Legacy Space is the culmination of an ongoing partnership with the Downie Wenjack Fund, the Sunnybrook Indigenous Advisory Council, the Sunnybrook Library and the muralist, Anishinaabe artist Que Rock. The space is among Sunnybrook’s latest efforts to actively advance Indigenous health and wellness, joining other priorities including a new dedicated role in Indigenous Health and Partnerships, wellness spaces across Sunnybrook’s campuses and an Indigenous Wellness Garden at the Bayview campus.

Gord Downie received cancer treatment at Sunnybrook for glioblastoma, a terminal brain tumour, before his death in 2017. With the establishment of the Gord Downie Fund for Brain Cancer Research, Sunnybrook has raised more than $3.5 million to advance brain cancer research.

Sunnybrook’s Legacy Space opening coincides with Secret Path Week beginning October 17. The week commemorates the legacies of Gord Downie and Chanie Wenjack and embodies Gord Downie’s call to “Do Something” by creating an environment where Indigenous and non-Indigenous Peoples can learn, connect and foster understanding.