Wayne Kaulbach, a one-man Tragically Hip tribute performer, has raised $5,000 for the Gord Downie and Chanie Wenjack Fund during a cross-country tour that included three shows in Iqaluit.
Touring from coast to coast with a reconciliation pledge
Kaulbach began his journey in British Columbia in April and worked his way across the country through the Yukon, Northwest Territories, Alberta and Quebec before returning to Ottawa to fly to Nunavut. He initially planned to drive his Volkswagen Eurovan to Iqaluit but discovered there is no road access connecting Nunavut’s communities to the rest of Canada and adjusted his travel plans accordingly.
He has committed 50 per cent of his venue earnings and tips to the Gord Downie and Chanie Wenjack Fund, which supports education about residential schools in elementary and high school classrooms. His target is $10,000; at last count he had reached $5,000.
“We set a goal of $10,000. So 50 per cent of all venue money I make and tips goes directly to them. So far we’re at $5,000, which is really nice. I’m confident that I’m gonna achieve that number, $10,000,”
Kaulbach cited the late Gord Downie’s advocacy as motivation to support reconciliation efforts. Downie helped found the fund with the Wenjack family after the death of Chanie Wenjack, an Anishinaabe boy who ran away from a residential school and died from exposure when he was 12.
Three nights in Iqaluit and local reception
Iqaluit was the first stop on Kaulbach’s tour to host three shows in the same community. He performed at the Black Heart Café on July 16, the Storehouse Bar and Grill on July 17 and NuBrew on July 18. He says the community and venue owners were welcoming, and he spent some time hiking the Apex trail and meeting residents.
- Amount raised so far: $5,000
- Fund supporting: Gord Downie and Chanie Wenjack Fund
- Tour goal: $10,000
| Stop | Dates in Iqaluit |
|---|---|
| Black Heart Café | July 16 |
| Storehouse Bar and Grill | July 17 |
| NuBrew | July 18 |
Kaulbach plans to continue the tour and remains optimistic about reaching his fundraising goal. For Iqalummiut, the shows were an opportunity to hear familiar songs and contribute to an education-focused reconciliation effort tied to one of Canada’s most recognised rock voices.
