TORONTO - Leaders of Canada's indigenous community say they feel stunned and grateful to Tragically Hip frontman Gord Downie for training the spotlight on issues plaguing First Nations.
Downie spoke passionately of struggles in Canadian native communities during what was widely presumed to be the iconic band's final performance on Saturday in Kingston, Ont.
Addressing Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who was in the audience to take in the show, Downie expressed fears that Canada's beleaguered indigenous peoples are perhaps in more dire straits today than they have ever been.
The singer, who's battling terminal brain cancer, said he believed Trudeau could help bring about meaningful change and called upon Canadians to be more mindful of northern affairs.
Indigenous leaders say Downie's assessment is accurate and thanked him for taking time to speak up for their communities in the midst of his own struggle.
They say Downie's words are yet another powerful call for change that they hope both politicians and regular citizens will heed.
