Timmins-James Bay MP Charlie Angus has a couple key things in common with Gord Downie.

Both are musicians.

Both fight for Indigenous issues.

So it was unsurprising that when Rogers Media called him Wednesday morning to talk about the passing of the Tragically Hip frontman, the sound of devastation in his voice was clearly evident.

Angus says it’s hard to talk about him, adding “The Hip were the soundtrack of our nation.”

“What a profound legacy,” he said, “It’s just absolutely devastating to lose such an incredible artist and such a decent human being at such a young age.”

When recalling Downie’s legacy, Angus says it’s what Downie did after getting diagnosed with an incurable form of brain cancer—glioblastoma—that sticks out to him.

“(In) facing his own mortality, he didn’t give up,” he said.

“He took Canada on a profound road of reconciliation and justice and the story of Chanie Wenjack opened eyes of people of what’s happening to Indigenous kids even today.”

Angus mentions the Secret Path project that Downie undertook after the final Hip tour, and the “profound, emotional, musical journey” he took Canadians on to show we could be better.

He adds he knew Downie over the years, and shockingly described him as “a really shy guy.”

“To be the lead frontman of one of the loudest rock bands Canada ever produces is quite…he was such a contradiction but I think we’ll always be especially moved by what he did facing his own death, that he decided to take that last year and try and make a real difference for reconciliation and to make Canada the place it should be.”

“Wow, thank you Gord.”

So what was the first thing Angus listened to after learning the news?

“Fiddler’s Green, I mean that’s the story of a young boy who dies too young.”

Filed under: Local News