Gord Downie inspires Alberta First Nation elementary school musical

Watch out Come From Away there's anotherseriously Canadian musical on the horizon.

Students at a southern Alberta First Nation elementary school put on their own, original production Thursday for parents, telling the story behind Gord Downie'sLakotaspirit name.

The play, called The Journey of Wicapi Omani The Man Who Walks Among The Stars, was inspired by the late Tragically Hip singer'scontributions as an advocate for First Nations people.

"The play is about a boy named WicapiOmani and how he travels through his journey of life trying to accomplish a destiny the creator had given him, which was to spread acceptance peace and unity throughout the world," saidDrew Van Allen, the music teacher at Nakoda Elementary School.

Downiewas honoured with the nameWicapiOmani by the Assembly of First Nations in December 2016.

Van Allen wrote the musical with help from cultural advisorsand incorporated Tragically Hip songs and some of the Stoney language for the Grade 4 and 5 students.

He said his students had learned about Downie'sanimated film and concept album The Secret Path in class, and made claymationfigures to accompany the songs.

The film tells the story of Chanie Wenjack, a boy who died trying to make his way home from a residential school in the 1960s.

• Watch now: Gord Downie's The Secret Path

"It couldn't have happened if the kids weren't sold on it. They appreciated what he stood for and what he tried to do for First Nations people," he said. "I think they really appreciated the attention he drew to kids like them."

StudentOcean Dixon, who introduced the story of the musical, said she liked the messages in The Tragically Hip's songs.

"He put a lot of his energy into his songs and he just wanted everyone to be nice," she said. "It's good to remember him."

The musical has received some recognition from Downie'sbrother, Patrick, who wrote Van Allen an email thanking him.

"It's really special to know this story has made it all the way to the Downiefamily. We couldn't ask for anything more. We're touched," he said.

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