The sixth iteration of A Day To Listen, in recognition of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, will bring together hundreds of broadcasters on Wednesday, Sept. 30.
Produced by the Gord Downie & Chanie Wenjack Fund (DWF), in partnership with Orbyt Media, the 12-hour broadcast airs on radio stations throughout Canada on Wednesday, September 30, from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. (local time). JUNO Award-winning singer-songwriter William Prince takes the lead as host, sharing stories and interviews with Indigenous Elders, community leaders, artists, and creators.
This year’s theme is Honouring Truth with Action, exploring how learning the truth can inspire meaningful action and contribute to reconciliation in communities throughout Canada.
“As we mark the 10th anniversary of Gord Downie’s Secret Path, we’re reminded of the impact we can have when people listen to the truth, and choose to act,” said Sarah Midanik, President & CEO of the Gord Downie & Chanie Wenjack Fund. “Through Secret Path, Gord helped bring Chanie Wenjack’s story and the truth about residential schools into the national conversation, inspiring people throughout Canada to take action. This year’s A Day To Listen is an opportunity to build on that legacy, coming together throughout the country to honour truth and consider how we can turn that into meaningful action to move reconciliation forward.”
“It is an honour to continue our partnership with the Gord Downie & Chanie Wenjack Fund on the sixth annual edition of A Day To Listen, especially as we mark the 10th anniversary of Secret Path,” added Heidi Baiden, Senior Manager at Orbyt Media. “This impactful broadcast brings together radio stations across Canada to observe the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, sharing these vital stories and interviews with listeners.”
The first A Day To Listen took place on June 30, 2021 and aired on more than 540 radio stations, following the potential discovery of unmarked graves at the site of the former Kamloops Indian Residential School.
Just over 300 stations will take part this year including Bell Media, Corus Entertainment, Rogers Sports & Media, Stingray Radio, Vista Radio, Pattison Media, Acadia Broadcasting, MBS Radio, Blackburn Media, Central Ontario Broadcasting, Golden West Broadcasting, and Rawlco Radio, among other independent operators.
