Written and Directed by Gord Downie
Animated film directed and edited by Justin Stephenson
Documentary directed by Mike Downie
Design Supervised by Justin Stephenson
Illustrations from the graphic novel by Jeff Lemire
Cel Animation by Solis Animation
Animation Supervised by Les Solis and Lou Solis
Digital Animation and Compositing by Even Steven Inc.
Digital Animation and Compositing Lead by David Desjardins
Produced by Mike Downie and Stuart Coxe


I am quite simply honoured to be a part of The Secret Path. I could not even call this a project, it is "a work" in the sense that it is a haunting, creative contribution to the much larger process of reconciliation with indigenous peoples in Canada. It is a story about trying to get home.

Adapting this work to film was the work of a lifetime for me.


From the website for The Secret Path:

"The Secret Path is an animated film adaptation of Gord Downie's album and Jeff Lemire's graphic novel. Working with Downie's poetry and music, Lemire has created a powerful visual representation of the life of Chanie Wenjack. The film is divided into ten chapters, each a song from Downie's musical retelling of Chanie's story – from his escape from the Cecilia Jeffrey Indian Residential School, to his subsequent and heartbreaking death from hunger and exposure to the harsh weather. The final product is a uniquely immersive emotional experience - an insight into the life of a little boy who, as Gord has said, he never knew, "but will always love."

The Secret Path was created, written, and directed by Gord Downie, composed by Gord Downie with Kevin Drew and Dave Hamelin, and illustrated by author Jeff Lemire. The film is executive produced by Mike Downie, Patrick Downie, Gord Downie, and Sarah Polley. The Secret Path is produced by Entertainment One (eOne) and Antica Productions Ltd. in association with CBC, with the participation of the Canada Media Fund and the Canadian Film or Video Production Tax Credit. Jocelyn Hamilton is executive producer for eOne Television and Stuart Coxe is executive producer for Antica Productions. Animation is directed by Justin Stephenson, produced at Solis Animation Inc. and composited by Even Steven Inc.