Since Robbie Robertson’s death, donations have poured in for Woodland Cultural Centre near Six Nations, Ont. – CBC

Sep 06, 2023

Museum and educational centre is in Brantford, Ont., on site of a former residential school

Following the recent death of Robbie Robertson, the family of the famed Canadian musician made a heartwarming request.

“In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that donations be made to the Six Nations of the Grand River to support a new Woodland Cultural Centre,” said the statement.

Since his death, the centre, which is in Brantford, Ont., and dedicated to the preservation of Indigenous language and culture, has received an outpouring of donations — more than $50,000 in his name — and international attention.

Robertson, the guitarist and principal songwriter of the Band, died on Aug. 9 at age 80 after a long illness. Born in Toronto, he was also a member of Six Nations, the First Nations community where his mother was born.

The centre’s executive director, Heather George, told CBC Hamilton she has done dozens of interviews in recent weeks, including with Rolling Stone magazine.