The Tragically Hip will receive the 2021 Humanitarian Award at the Junos
The band will be honoured during the the 50th annual Juno Awards broadcast on May 16
Beloved Canadian rock band the Tragically Hip will be presented with the 2021 Humanitarian Award during the 50th annual Juno Awards broadcast on Sunday, May 16, 2021.
For more than 30 years, the Hip (fronted by the late lead singer/songwriter Gord Downie, guitarists Rob Baker and Paul Langois, drummer Johnny Fay and bassist Gord Sinclair) fused music and philanthropy in support of a variety of social and environmental causes. In 2004, they created the Tragically Hip Community Fund which has provided help in a variety of ways, including ALS and Parkinson's research, AIDS awareness, food banks, hospitals, the Special Olympics, Waterkeeper Alliance and more.
The band's final tour in 2016 raised more than one million dollars for the Canadian Cancer Society and the Sunnybrook Foundation. This work has continued even after Downie's death in 2017 from terminal brain cancer. Most recently, the Hip donated more than $50,000 to the Unison Benevolent Fund from the sale of its "Courage" masks.
The Hip follows an illustrious line of previous Humanitarian Award recipients including David Foster, Buffy Sainte-Marie, and Arcade Fire.
"We are honoured to be receiving the 2021 Humanitarian Award," the band said, in a statement. "Our admiration for the past recipients makes it impossible not to feel humbled as well. We learned early on back in Kingston that you can accomplish great things with a stage and a willing audience. It's about building community, and no one appreciated that responsibility more than Gord Downie. He was committed to social and environmental justice and we remain inspired by his example. Best intentions can achieve little without loyal support and action, so we consider this award as much a recognition for fans of our group, as they have been there for us through everything, and for every cause, and for that we are eternally grateful. We share this honour with you."
Allan Reid, president and CEO of CARAS, The Juno Awards and MusiCounts, expressed his appreciation for the Hip's legacy of care and compassion.
"For decades, this group of musical brothers has contributed to helping improve the social well-being of others and protecting the vast natural wonders of this country we call home," Reid said in a statement. "After a challenging year when the power of kindness and generosity were more necessary than ever, we are proud to commemorate the band's tireless activism and charitable achievements at the 50th Annual Juno Awards."
To see the Hip receive the 2021 Humanitarian Award, watch the 50th annual Juno Awards on May 16, 2021, on CBC, CBC Radio One, CBC Music, the free CBC Gem streaming service in Canada and globally at www.cbcmusic.ca/junos.